Why You Need a Sabbatical—And How to Actually Afford One
Here's a sobering question: When did you last take more than two consecutive weeks completely away from ministry?
If you're like many pastors I talk with, the answer is "never"—or at least "not in a very long time." And yet, you probably feel guilty for even considering it. After all, there's always another sermon to write, another family in crisis, another board meeting demanding your attention. The Kingdom has needs.
But here's what the research tells us—and it's sobering: 40% of pastors now show a high risk of burnout. That's a 400% increase since 2015. Nearly 1 in 5 pastors has contemplated self-harm or suicide within the past year. These aren't just statistics. They're shepherds. Created in God's image. Called to His service. And drowning under expectations that were never meant to be carried alone.
The answer isn't working harder—our shepherds need rest.
Biblical Foundation
The concept of sabbatical isn't some modern HR innovation. It's deeply rooted in Scripture, woven into the very fabric of how God designed His people to live and work.
In Leviticus 25:2-7, God commands Israel to let their land rest every seventh year: "For six years you shall sow your field... But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD." This wasn't optional—it was obedience. And it wasn't just about agriculture. It was a profound statement about ownership. The land belonged to God. The people were simply stewards.
But here's what many churches miss: God doesn't just call the land to rest—He calls people to rest too.
Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that pastors "keep watch over you as those who must give an account." That's vigilant, exhausting work. The writer continues: "Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you." Notice that? A burned-out pastor isn't just bad for the pastor—it's bad for the congregation.
Peter offers similar wisdom in 1 Peter 5:1-4, calling elders to shepherd "not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." The kind of willing, eager, exemplary leadership Peter describes requires pastors who are spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy.
When churches resist sabbaticals, they're not being good stewards—they're undermining the very calling they want their pastor to fulfill.
The Difference Between Vacation and Sabbatical
"But Pastor, you get vacation time. Why do you need a sabbatical?"
If I had a dollar for every time I've heard this objection, I could fund someone's sabbatical myself.
Here's the truth: A sabbatical is not a vacation. The root of the word "sabbatical" is "Sabbath"—meaning rest consecrated to the Lord. A vacation is recreational rest. A sabbatical is formational rest.
On vacation, you might unplug for a bit. But you return knowing you have to immediately pick up the pastoral coverage you missed. You might be working on your sermon the last few days of vacation. The to-do list still hovers in the back of your mind.
A sabbatical is different. It's an extended period—typically three to five months—where you completely step away from all ministerial responsibilities. No sermons. No hospital visits. No board meetings. No "quick questions" from well-meaning congregants.
As pastor and author Dallas Willard put it: "The single greatest need of the church today is the restoration of ministers... They need to be taken out of circulation for a sufficiently long time to re-vision and restructure their lives in communion with Jesus and his kingdom."
A sabbatical is counter-formation—pushing back against all the ways ministry can malform us. It's time for prayer, reflection, family reconnection, and spiritual renewal that simply cannot happen in the margins of a two-week vacation interrupted by pastoral emergencies.
Recommended Sabbatical Rhythms
So how often should a pastor take a sabbatical? And for how long?
Most denominations recommend pastors take a sabbatical every five to seven years, with the typical length being around three months. But here's the thing—these are minimum recommendations for healthy ministry. If your last three years have been filled with conflict, trauma, or extraordinary emotional hardship, you might need a sabbatical sooner.
Based on research suggesting pastors should spend about 5-6% of their working hours in sabbatical rest, I've developed three flexible frameworks that work for different ministry contexts:
Framework 1: The Traditional Sabbatical
5 months every 7 years
Ideal for: Major projects, extended study, significant rest
Framework 2: The Intensive Sabbatical
3 months every 5 years
Ideal for: Younger pastors, growing families, frequent refreshment needs
Framework 3: The Regular Renewal
2 months every 3 years
Ideal for: High-stress environments, church planters, frequent burnout risk
Some churches are now offering even more frequent sabbaticals. I know pastors whose churches grant them three weeks of sabbatical leave for every year of service—allowing them to take nine weeks off every three years. The key insight here: proactive sabbaticals are far more effective than reactive ones. Don't wait until you're burned out. Build rest into your ministry rhythm before crisis hits.
The Financial Reality
Here's the challenge most pastors face: Even if you're convinced you need a sabbatical, how do you actually afford one?
Let's be honest—most pastors can't afford unpaid leave. And many churches don't know how to structure sabbatical policies, let alone fund them.
But let me share something that might change everything: Save 6% of your gross income annually in a dedicated sabbatical fund, and you can fully fund any of the three frameworks I just described.
That's it. One savings rate. Three flexible options. Let me show you how the math works:
If you earn $60,000 annually and save 6% ($3,600/year), here's what accumulates:
After 3 years: $10,800 (funds a 2-month sabbatical at full salary replacement)
After 5 years: $18,000 (funds a 3-month sabbatical at full salary replacement)
After 7 years: $25,200 (funds a 5-month sabbatical at full salary replacement)
Start this fund immediately, even if your church doesn't have a sabbatical policy yet. Even if you're years away from taking a sabbatical. Having the financial foundation in place makes the conversation with your board much easier when the time comes.
Where should you keep this money? Your sabbatical fund belongs in what I call your "financial freezer"—money you'll need in the next 3-7 years. Unlike your emergency fund (which should be in a high-yield savings account, never at risk), your sabbatical fund can be invested for modest growth. Consider balanced mutual funds or target-date funds with shorter horizons. You want some growth potential, but with protection against major losses right before you need the money.
A critical tax note: If you take an unpaid sabbatical and your church hasn't distributed your full annual housing allowance yet, you could lose thousands in tax benefits. The housing allowance can only be paid with actual wages—no wages, no allowance. Work with your church to front-load housing allowance payments earlier in the year, or structure sabbaticals to begin in January to preserve the full benefit for the previous tax year.
Having the Conversation with Your Board
Maybe the biggest obstacle isn't financial—it's relational. How do you even begin this conversation with your board?
The key is helping them understand that investing in pastoral renewal is smart stewardship of their most valuable asset. Not the building. Not the programs. Not even the budget. You—the pastor—are the church's most valuable asset.
Here's a framework for that conversation:
Opening the Discussion: "I've been reading about sabbatical policies that many churches are implementing to support long-term pastoral health and effectiveness. Given the current levels of pastoral burnout across denominations, I'd love to discuss whether this might be something we should consider for our church's future."
The Biblical Foundation: "Scripture shows us that rest isn't optional—it's part of God's design. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that pastors 'keep watch over souls' and should do this 'with joy and not with groaning.' When pastors are refreshed and renewed, it benefits everyone."
The Stewardship Case: "Studies show that churches with sabbatical policies tend to have longer pastoral tenure, lower transition costs, and more effective ministry. When you consider that the pastor is the church's most valuable asset, protecting and growing that investment through strategic rest makes perfect stewardship sense."
The Financial Framework: "I'm not asking the church to fund this entirely. I'm already setting aside 6% of my income annually for sabbatical expenses. What I'd like to discuss is whether the church might provide salary continuation, benefit maintenance, or professional development funding—recognizing this as an investment in pastoral growth and protection rather than just an expense."
The Timeline: "Even if this is years away, planning now helps both the church and my family prepare financially and ministry-wise. Could we begin discussing what a sabbatical policy might look like for our church?"
Notice what this framework does: It positions you as someone who's already taking responsibility, not simply asking for a handout. You're demonstrating stewardship, not demanding entitlement. You're educating, not manipulating.
And here's a bonus: Consider creating a one-page "sabbatical proposal" document that outlines the biblical basis, the research on pastoral burnout, your financial contribution, and the potential benefits to the congregation. Sometimes boards respond better to written proposals they can review than to on-the-spot conversations.
How Churches Can Support Sabbaticals
If you're a board member reading this, or a pastor who wants to share this article with your leadership, here are practical ways churches can support pastoral sabbatical rhythms:
Full Paid Sabbaticals: The gold standard. The pastor receives full salary and benefits during the sabbatical period. This requires budgeting—but it's an investment that pays dividends in pastoral longevity and effectiveness.
Partial Salary Continuation: If full funding isn't possible, consider continuing salary at 50-75% during the sabbatical. Combined with the pastor's personal sabbatical fund, this can make extended rest financially viable.
Pulpit Coverage Coordination: Partner with neighboring churches to provide guest preachers. Many pastors are happy to preach at a sister church in exchange for reciprocal coverage when they take their own sabbatical.
Ministry Handoff Systems: Develop lay leadership capable of handling pastoral care during the pastor's absence. This serves double duty—it empowers your congregation and makes sabbaticals sustainable.
Sabbatical Grants: Organizations like the Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Program offer competitive grants that fund both the pastor and the congregation during sabbatical periods. These require advance application, but they're worth exploring.
Budget Line Items: Even if a sabbatical is five years away, start setting aside funds now. A small monthly allocation adds up significantly over time and signals institutional commitment to pastoral wellness.
Action Steps
Here's what you can do this week:
Calculate your 6% number. If you earn $50,000, that's $3,000/year or $250/month. If you earn $70,000, it's $4,200/year or $350/month. Whatever your number is—write it down.
Open a dedicated sabbatical savings or investment account. Keep it separate from your emergency fund. Name it something that reminds you what it's for: "Sabbatical Fund" or "Ministry Renewal."
Set up automatic transfers. Even if you can only start with $50/month, start. You can increase it later. The key is building the habit now.
Put "sabbatical conversation" on your calendar. Schedule a date 6-12 months from now to raise this topic with your board. Having a target date creates accountability.
Pastor, you weren't called to burnout. You were called to shepherd with joy, not with groaning.
Taking a sabbatical isn't selfish—it's stewardship. Stewardship of the calling God gave you. Stewardship of the energy you owe your family. Stewardship of the health that allows you to serve your congregation for decades, not just years.
Start your sabbatical fund today. Even if it's five years away. Your future self—and your future congregation—will thank you.
For more resources on pastoral financial wellness, including sabbatical planning tools and implementation guides, join the Sacred Capital Community at shepherdswallet.com/join.