Sabbatical, Study and Service Leaves for Pastors

Sabbatical, study and service leaves for pastors are good for the pastor, good for the congregation, and good for the church. Pastors stay longer and serve with greater enthusiasm if their ministry includes opportunities to learn and exposure to other ministries. Congregations benefit from a chance to exercise lay leadership gifts or to experience the ministry of an interim pastor during a leave. The whole church benefits by having better leadership, cross-congregational sharing of perspectives and ideas, and greater satisfaction in ministry for those in whom the church has invested time, money and energy in training for leadership.

Includes frequently asked questions and a sample study and service leave agreement.