To Encourage Ministry Sabbaticals for Church Workers

Official Workbook overture source text

6-83 
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 
W
HEREAS, 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 
W
HEREAS, A ministry sabbatical is an investment in a local 
ministry to reinvigorate the ministry and the church worker, 
strengthening it for future ministry; and 
W
HEREAS, Ministry sabbaticals can help church workers combat 
burnout, refresh their perspective, and return to ministry with 
renewed energy and focus; and 
W
HEREAS, 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 
W
HEREAS, 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 m inistry 
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. 
Florida-Georgia District 
Ov.