Sabbaticals
Years ago, former church leaders of our body saw the value in living out the Fourth Commandment that the Lord gave us: “Remember the Sabbath day, keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Since then, elders have and continue to encourage our ministerial staff to practice this commandment by taking intentional and purposeful times of rest through sabbaticals.
About Sabbaticals
How sabbaticals are taken varies among churches and denominations. Here at West Shore Free Church, ministerial staff can apply for a three-month sabbatical after every seven years of employment. On the sabbatical, pastors allot their time to specific criteria given by the elder board. We call it the “Six R’s”:
- Rest: Seeking purposeful rest from the busy schedule and work of ministry
- Recreate: Doing enjoyable activities
- Revive: Investing in relationships with Christ and family
- Reload: Learning for the development of skills, perspectives and innovation in ministry
- Refocus: Seeking God’s direction for the future
- Return: Preparing to re-enter daily ministry in ways helpful to the church and staff