Sabbatical Leave

At all stages of the process, it is important for ministry personnel to communicate openly with all of the stakeholders: the official board (or equivalent), the congregation, and the presbytery. The more the congregation(s) affected by the absence of the minister are aware of the purpose of the leave and the goals of the sabbatical, the better their understanding will be of how the time away will enrich both parties in the pastoral relationship.

Ministry personnel must advise the pastoral charge of the desire to take a sabbatical leave, through the Ministry and Personnel Committee, at least 12 months prior to the intended start of the leave.

• Read sample letter to the M&P Committee [RTF: 1 p/9 KB]

Negotiation with the pastoral charge, through the Ministry and Personnel Committee, on the length, timing, and other specifics of the sabbatical is very important. This dialogue is to include a description of the nature of the study or experience being proposed and the outcome expected.

Read sample sabbatical proposals:

• Pamela Thomas [RTF: 2 pp/27 KB]
• Doug Norris [RTF: 2 pp/50 KB]
• Donna Bowman-Woodall [RTF: 2 pp/35 KB]

The sabbatical plan must be related to the practice of ministry and must be approved by action of the official board (or equivalent). The presbytery/district will be informed of the sabbatical leave once it has been approved.

For a sabbatical leave to work best for both the pastoral charge and ministry personnel, the important details of coverage for all the work of ministry in a pastoral charge, as well as funding the sabbatical period, are extremely important. Strategies that work well involve all the stakeholders in making decisions, solving problems, and developing solutions. Each pastoral charge will have unique challenges; however, sharing strategies that have worked in other sabbatical situations may assist with planning.

Upon returning from the sabbatical, ministry personnel are to provide a brief written and oral report to the pastoral charge’s Ministry and Personnel Committee and official board (or equivalent).

• Read sample sabbatical report [RTF: 1 p/10 KB]
• An alternative method of reporting was used by Alan Hall, who, while on sabbatical from St. Mark's United Church, Scarborough, blogged about his journeys, findings, thoughts, and experiences

Resources

• Sabbatical Policy [PDF: 4 pp/185 KB]
  This document includes the background of the policy, obligations of ministry personnel and pastoral charges, and additional resources that may be helpful in planning for a sabbatical period.