There is increasing discussion in churches about the value of sabbaticals for pastors?and for good reason. The pastoral vocation seems to be more demanding than ever. Years ago, pastors? duties were simpler and more focused. Today, pastors are expected not only to preach the Word, visit their congregants, and teach some catechism classes but to lead dynamic churches, sustain creative evangelism programs, excel in administrative skills, plan meaningful worship, possibly manage multiple staff positions, and more. Pastors are expected to accomplish all of this during their normal work week?a week that can be 60-plus hours long. James O. Davis, president of Global Pastors Network, has stated that:
- 1,600 pastors in US churches quit or resign from their jobs every month
- nearly 20 percent of pastors suffer stress or burnout
- 50 percent of pastors become divorced
A sabbatical is a change or a break from the normal routine. It?s an opportunity to step back, reflect, relax, recharge, and renew. Here are some opportunities to do just that.
Beside Still Waters: for Canadian and US pastors
Beside Still Waters offers pastors and their families a place of rest, restoration and refocus on Anna Maria Island in Florida. Accommodation is a two bedroom townhouse that is one block from the beach. There is no charge for the townhouse. For more information, visit www.beside-stillwaters.org.
Broom Tree Ministries: for Canadian and US pastors
Broom Tree Ministries offers both mini (1-2 days) and five-day spiritual retreats for pastors and their spouses. The retreats are offered to pastors and spouses at no cost. It is paid for through donations from those who want to encourage and strengthen pastors. The retreats are held in three locations: Lake Geneva, WI, White Cloud, MI, and South Bend, IN. For more information visit www.broomtreeministries.org.
Buffalo Ridge Hospitality & Retreat Center: for Canadian and US pastors
This retreat center is located on 200 acres of beautiful prairie in northeast Kansas. Pastors and their families can choose between a guest house, which sleeps 12, or camping. Rates are very reasonable and include both lodging and food. For more information, visit www.HisWayMinistries.org.
Eagle Mountain Lodge: for Canadian and US pastors
The Lodge sits on 40 acres near New Mexico?s highest mountain, Wheeler Peak. Each suite in the lodge has a mini-kitchen. Rates for pastors and their families are based on suggested donations. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.eaglemountainlodge.com.
Eagle?s Glen: for Canadian and US pastors
Eagle?s Glen is a place of refuge, renewal and restoration for Christian leaders and their families. It?s located in Colorado Springs, CO. For more information, visit www.eaglesglen.org.
Elim Retreats: for Canadian and US pastors
The retreat center is located on 1,400 acres on Lake Huron in Michigan. It offers a six-day, low-key continuing education opportunity for pastors and their spouses. There is no cost to stay at one of the five homes there. For more information, visit www.Barnabas.org/elimretreats/index.html.
Fairhaven Ministries: for Canadian and US pastors
Fairhaven Ministries consists of 15 chalets and cottages and a lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee. Pastors and spouses are able to take sabbaticals at Fairhaven for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of two months at a rate of $200 per week. For more information, visit www.fairhavenministries.net.
Fairhaven also has a location in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia near Vernon, BC. For more information visit www.fairhavenministries.net.
Faith Mountain: for Canadian and US pastors
Two and four bedroom cottages are situated on 250 wooded acres in the heart of West Virginia?s beautiful Mountain Lakes region. Pastors and their families are given discounted rates. For more information, visit www.faithmountain.org.
Genesee Home: for Canadian and US pastors
Genesee Home is a place where pastors and spouses can go for Sabbath rest for renewal and refreshment of their ministry and marriage. It?s located on a 1,600 acre ranch, surrounded by national forests, in Taylorsville, CA. The cost is $395 per week, however scholarships are available. For more information visit www.geneseehome.org.
Mountain Learning Center: for Canadian and US pastors
The Mountain Learning Center is located in June Lake, CA, beneath the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. It offers two-week retreats for pastors and spouses that provide an opportunity for reassurance, renewal, reflection and recreation. There is a cost to the pastor couple. For more information visit www.pastor-care.com/home.html.
National Clergy Renewal: for US pastors
The National Clergy Renewal Program offers grant awards of up to $45,000 to Christian congregations and their pastors to design a Sabbath renewal program that benefits and energizes the pastor and the church for their shared ministry. The deadline for applications is in June of each year. For more information visit www.lillyendowment.org/religion_ncr.html.
Nehemiah Ministries: for Canadian and US pastors
Nehemiah Ministries offers a natural haven in Owosso, MI where ministry families can withdraw from their normal environment to rest, relax and enjoy God?s creation. For more information, visit www.nehemiahm.org.
Pastors Retreat Network: for Canadian and US pastors
The Pastors Retreat Network is a network of Christian retreat centers that offer five-day retreats to pastors, pastors and spouses, and pastoral staff teams in upscale Bed & Breakfast style facilities in three locations: Delafield, WI, Vanderpool, TX, and New Bedford, OH. There is no fee for the retreat. All costs are paid through gifts from foundations, corporations, laity, previous guests and churches who share a vision for serving the Church. For more information visit www.pastorsretreatnetwork.org.
Quiet Place Ministries: for Canadian and US pastors
There is no charge for the accommodations at Quiet Place Ministries for pastors and their families. However, the pastor couples are required to partake in a daily four hour program. Quiet Place Ministries is located in Jackson, MI. For more information, visit www.quietplaceministries.org.
The Lodge: for Canadian and US pastors
The Lodge offers five and ten day retreats for pastor couples on an 82 acre French countryside estate in Buchanan, MI. Accommodations include a 19th century French Provincial home and two guest cottages. There is a charge for the retreats. For more information, visit www.retreatatthelodge.org.
The Louisville Institute: for Canadian and US pastors
The Louisville Institute offers grants through its ?Sabbatical Grant for Pastoral Leaders? program. Grants are for six, eight, and twelve week sabbaticals. Applications need to be submitted at least one year before the planned sabbatical. For more information visit
www.louisville-institute.org/secondary/pastoralgrants.asp
Triple Creek Ranch: for Canadian and US pastors
Triple Creek Ranch has three locations which offer refreshment and rest to full-time pastors and their families. Triple Creek Ranch in Elizabeth, IL offers private guest houses on 260 acres. A thousand acres surrounds the ranch at Rancho Mira Sol in Durango, CO and the Rio Grande River House and log cabin near Creed, CO, are surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest. These houses are available at no charge but the guests must be able to sign the state of faith. For more information visit www.rockymountainrenewal.org.
Westwood Ministries: for Canadian and US pastors
Located in the beautiful Texas Hill country, Westwood Ministries comes alongside Christian leaders and their families to cultivate vital health, deep renewal and genuine transformation in the Kingdom of God. Pastors and their families can stay in the lodge, the inn or the RV park. Expenses are covered by suggested donations. Counseling is available. For more information, visit www.westwoodministries.org.
Sabbatical Resources
Books
Bullock, Richard and Richard Bruesehoff. Clergy Renewal: The Alban Guide to Sabbatical Planning. Alban Institute, 2000
Websites
http://www.alleghenysynod.org
- choose ?pastoral resources? and then choose ?sabbatical resources?
