Sabbatical Policy
Living Hope CRC – Abbotsford, BC
Background:
The Synod of CRC, as part of its Sustaining Congregational Excellence initiative, has
encouraged churches to provide for continuing education for its pastors. The CRC
recognizes two types of Continuing Education (CE):
a) Short-term CE which may include the pastor’s participation in study groups with
professional colleagues, short courses offered by academic institutions, lectures,
classes, workshops, retreats, and correspondence courses.
b) Long-term CE refers to an extended study leave (sabbatical). It involves a break in
the regular ministerial routine and is usually, though not always, taken apart from
the congregation.
Rationale behind CE sabbaticals:
A Continuing Education sabbatical is of vital importance to a pastor in view of
a) the necessity of maintaining the quality of his work because of its significance in the
life of the congregation;
b) the need to stay current with professional developments in the areas of ministry
practice and theology;
c) the relentless pressure to produce in areas that demand fresh input and high levels
of creativity; and
d) the benefits which accrue in terms of enhanced self-respect, self-confidence,
emotional and spiritual health, and relational skills.
Eligibility for CE Sabbaticals in Living Hope
Short term: Each year the pastor should avail himself of relevant continuing education
events as is appropriate to his work in the congregation by way of peer group study,
short conferences and lectures as well as pertinent ongoing professional reading.
Long term (sabbatical): When the pastor has completed five years of service in Living
Hope CRC, he shall be eligible for a CE sabbatical the length of which would normally
be given in the ratio of two (2) weeks leave for each year of service in Living Hope.
After taking such a sabbatical, the year of service count starts at zero again.
The pastor is eligible for successive sabbaticals after a minimum of three (3) more years
of service beyond the previous sabbatical. All sabbaticals should be designed with the
goal of supporting the effectiveness of the pastor’s ministry in the church. Sabbaticals
are not to be taken in place of regular vacation time.
Requesting a long term CE sabbatical
Sabbatical requests shall be made in writing to the Council. Each sabbatical requires
Council approval. The Council must be satisfied that the sabbatical will serve as a
renewing/growing experience for the pastor which will enhance his ministry in the
congregation. To that end, the pastor shall submit an outline of his sabbatical plans and
the anticipated benefits. A request for a sabbatical shall be made with sufficient lead
time for Council to make suitable arrangements to cover the pastor’s duties during his
absence.
Financial Assistance
During the pastor’s sabbatical his regular salary and all benefits shall continue. His
leave may not be used to accept other paid employment, with the exception of
occasional preaching assignments. In addition, the pastor shall submit to the Council
for prior approval, any projected costs with respect to the sabbatical activities that are
not already covered in the regular church budgeted amounts.
After Sabbatical follow-up
Shortly after the end of his sabbatical, the pastor shall make a written report to Council
summarizing the activities and outcomes of the CE Sabbatical.