April 2026
The following article is taken from pastorserve.org, which I share with you this month as a way of helping to explain this time of Sabbatical upon which I am about to embark (April 6 - July 6). It is my earnest prayer that both you the church and I experience the benefits of this intentional time of spiritual rest in the months and years ahead.
The concept of sabbatical is rooted in the biblical concept of “Sabbath” which God modeled (Genesis 2:1-4a) and commanded (Exodus 20:8-11). In Leviticus 25:1-7, the Lord says that after the sixth year the people were not supposed to sow the fields or harvest a crop. The land was allowed to rest, and therefore, so were the people.
Sabbaticals have often been used in church and academia to provide a time of rest, recovery, renewal and re-education for the individual staff member. Many businesses are now providing paid sabbaticals for employees. It is important for clergy and pastoral staff to model God’s design for Sabbath rest. A time of sabbatical is important both in the sharpening and renewal of the pastor and for the health and strength of the Church.
The primary purpose of the sabbatical is for the physical, emotional, spiritual and relational renewal of the pastor. For this to occur the pastor needs time away from the people and needs of the congregation he or she serves. It is a time to draw near to God in an undistracted and prolonged way. We see examples of this in the lives of Moses, Elijah and Jesus. All these godly men had extended time away from people and in the presence of the Lord. (Ex. 24:18, Ex. 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, Mark 1:13, Mark 9:2)
Jesus once said to his disciples, “freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:8.) Most pastors spend extraordinary amounts of time pouring out their energy, prayers, ideas, creativity, and their very selves for those they serve. The result can be spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and relational burnout. Sabbatical then, is a time for the pastor to receive. The by-product of a pastor who’s been refreshed by a sabbatical is that the church members receive back a pastor who has renewed energy to lead and to model healthy Sabbath rest as a follower of Christ.
It’s undeniable that pastoral ministry takes a toll on a person. But God in his love and wisdom has offered the sabbatical as a way of refreshing those who shepherd his flock. Congregations should encourage their pastor to take sabbaticals at least once every seven years. Pastors should model the importance of taking time away from ministry and drawing near to God. It shows the congregation that the pastor is not the Messiah, and that he/she needs times to receive from the Lord.
God is good. He loves to refresh and restore his workers. As Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
It is a joy to serve the church, and I am truly grateful for the generosity of the Session and the congregation in granting me this time away. I have never before taken a Sabbatical, and this church has never before experienced this. I pray this will be a healthy and rewarding practice for us all. God bless you, and see you in July.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Matthew