Ministry Sabbatical Policy Development Guidelines

Issues to be addressed and included in the preparation of a Ministry Sabbatical Policy for your church:

Purpose and Parameters of the Sabbatical Eligibility
o Does the policy include part-time staff?
o Does the ministry leader need to have served for a certain period at the congregation before the sabbatical?
o Will there be an expectation that the ministry leader remain at the congregation for a period of time after the sabbatical?

Length: Typically, a three month sabbatical taken in the seventh year and then every five years (planned in the previous year) is recommended.
Scheduling and Priorities
Accountabilities
Funding Options and Plan
o Congregation may want to set aside funds each year to save for a sabbatical year.
o Congregation may offer to match funds that a ministry leader sets aside for a future sabbatical.
o Congregations have held fund-raisers to finance the sabbatical period.
Sabbatical Covenant