To Encourage Ministry Sabbaticals for Church Workers

WHEREAS, Ministry sabbaticals serve to bless both the church worker and the ministry; and

WHEREAS, The Word of God points to the command for Sabbath rest (Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:8–11; Lev. 25:4f.); and

WHEREAS, Many Christian denominations strongly encourage pastors to take sabbaticals, recognizing the importance of periodic rest and renewal for sustained ministry effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, A ministry sabbatical is a structured time for spiritual reflection, study, personal development, and rest for church workers; and

WHEREAS, There is historical precedent in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod going back to the first Synod President, C.F.W. Walther, who in 1859 took a much-needed ministry sabbatical to be refreshed and renewed (“Walther’s Breakdown,” in Matthew C. Harrison, ed., At Home in the House of my Fathers” [CPH, 2011], 142–45); and

WHEREAS, Walther’s example of returning with renewed energy and great productivity blessed the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Currently we are seeing a decrease of seminary graduates, directors of Christian education, and Lutheran school teachers available to fill a growing number of calls and a growing number of church workers retiring; and

WHEREAS, A ministry sabbatical is an investment in a local ministry to reinvigorate the ministry and the church worker, strengthening it for future ministry; and

WHEREAS, Ministry sabbaticals can help church workers combat burnout, refresh their perspective, and return to ministry with renewed energy and focus; and

WHEREAS, Even some in the business world have recognized the benefit of offering sabbaticals to retain good workers; sabbaticals can also enable retention and longer service in churches; and

WHEREAS, Since COVID-19 we have seen higher expectations placed on church workers with decreased participation and a steady decline in many places, leading to discouragement and burnout among current church workers; and

WHEREAS, The need to continually cultivate longevity among current church workers is beneficial to the whole church; therefore be it

Resolved, That ministries study the benefits of ministry sabbaticals on their workers; and be it further

Resolved, That all districts provide a template for a ministry sabbatical policy guideline for ministries to adapt and adopt to their circumstances; and be it further

Resolved, That ministries be encouraged to set aside funding regularly to support their church workers in taking a sabbatical; and be it further

Resolved, That all districts work together to put together a list of available grants and scholarships which help provide necessary funding for a ministry sabbatical; and be it further

Resolved, That all districts avail themselves of available resources within Synod, including those provided by Lutheran Church Extension Fund (through Grace Place Wellness), to explore and promote healthier church workers and healthier ministries; and be it finally

Resolved, That all districts identify pastors in the area who could be contacted for possible service during the sabbatical.