Pastoral Sabbaticals
Richardson (TX) Church of the Nazarene
Purpose:
Provide pastoral staff with a gift of time away from normal responsibilities to pursue a plan of personal growth and spiritual growth
Accountability:
Personnel and Parish Committee
Standards
- The sabbatical is not intended as an extended vacation period; it is an opportunity for a staff member to refill his or her own heart and resources in order to continue effective ministry at RCN.
- A sabbatical shall be available to all full-time paid pastoral staff. Eligibility shall begin after five years of ministerial service at RCN. If an eligible pastor chooses not to take a sabbatical, there shall be no compensation for an "unused sabbatical."
- The maximum length of a sabbatical is nine weeks. Time off for a sabbatical shall accrue as follows: 6 weeks after 5 years of pastoral service, 1 week for each additional year after 5 years.
- Accumulated sabbatical time shall not be used in small amounts to extend or replace vacation time. In most cases, the full amount accumulated will be taken at one time. However, if the staff member's approved sabbatical does not utilize the entire accrued amount, the balance may be carried forward to the next approved sabbatical.
- After taking a sabbatical, a pastor shall again begin to accumulate sabbatical time, as outlined above, which shall not be taken prior to five years after the previous sabbatical.
- To request a sabbatical, the staff member shall submit a written request and proposal to the Senior Pastor and the Personnel and Parish committee for review. Final approval for the sabbatical rests with the Church Board. The proposal shall reflect the purpose, goals, and objectives of the sabbatical (e.g. study, travel, education, research, writing, or restoration), and the amount of time requested. The proposal shall describe how the staff member's normal duties will be conducted and by whom during the sabbatical absence. The proposal shall be submitted at least 3 months prior to the requested starting date of the sabbatical.
- During the sabbatical, the staff member shall continue to receive full compensation and benefits. Any additional funds requested for such items as travel, tuition, etc. shall be described in the sabbatical proposal and must be approved by the church board as a special budget item.
- The impact of a staff member's absence shall be a determining factor in scheduling and approving a sabbatical leave. Only one staff member shall be absent on sabbatical at any given time, and only one sabbatical should be scheduled each year.
- Proposed exceptions shall be reviewed by the Personnel and Parish Committee and, if approved, submitted to the church board for approval.
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