Sabbatical: The Missing Link for Churches and Pastor – 4
Part 4 of 4 – Read Part 1 first
How effective are sabbaticals for pastors?
That depends upon three factors:
- Are the pastor & church committed to God’s perspective of Sabbath rest? Some pastors will have to be convinced that they need a sabbatical, especially those who are extreme people-pleasers and Type A’s who push themselves and everyone around them. They need to be loved enough to be held accountable by those who love them.
- Are the pastor & church properly prepared? Unless BOTH pastor and church prepare and plan, the sabbatical will not be effective. It could even be a waste of time, money, and resources. The pastor must prepare. The fellowship must prepare.
- Pre-sabbatical planning
- Post-sabbatical celebration
Because preparation differs for church and pastor, I have split them in two documents which will be available shortly. The titles are “A Sabbatical Primer for the Church” and “A Sabbatical Primer for the Pastor.” Church or pastor can download them from the Maranatha Conference website: MCACC.net [http://mcacc.net/]
3. Are the pastor & church in agreement about the terms?
A. Is the length of time adequate for replenishment and refreshment?
B. Will everyone involved help the pastor to not be in the loop while on sabbatical? Calling in to see how the recent board meeting went is NOT being faithful to the trust of the church. Nor is informing the pastor that Mr. Jones decided to quit because the pastor went on sabbatical. Other leadership (local, conference, or regional) can be called upon and can handle church issues in the pastor’s absence.
CONCLUSION
The problem facing churches and pastors in the 21st Century is complex and widespread, but the solution is simple. If you read and act upon the content of this article, it will positively impact you for increased Kingdom effectiveness and spiritual longevity. By caring for the shepherds, you care for yourselves. Healthy pastors lead healthy churches. By embracing the value of “Sabbath,” both pastors and churches will fulfill their callings, honor Christ, and leave a legacy worthy of God.
Related Reading:
- 10 Reasons Why Pastors Leave the Ministry, by Jim Fuller <http://pastoralcareinc.com/MR/Books/EBooks.php>
- Pastor’s Lifeline statistics: http://maranathalife.com/lifeline/stats.htm
- Michael Hyatt’s post, Should You Dare to Take a Sabbatical? / http://michaelhyatt.com/should-you-dare-to-think-about-a-sabbatical.html
- Articles at Maranatha Conference’s MCACC.Net [http://mcacc.net/]
- Leading On Empty, Wayne Cordeiro. Bethany House, 2009. Must reading. http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Empty-Refilling-Renewing-Passion/dp/0764203509
- David’s Place, “Solitude, Silence, and Simplicity” / http://davidcalves.com/2011/03/07/solitude-silence-and-simplicity/
This is the end of a 4 part series. Please share the series with others.
©2012, David C Alves All rights reserved.
First published by permission in The Witness, Winter 2012 by Advent Christian General Conference USA.
Related articles
- Pastor Appreciation: Saying “Thanks” (marcyda.wordpress.com)
- The satisfaction of ministry (bluechippastor.org)
- Get Rid of Your Pastor (turningplace.wordpress.com)
- Dangerous Calling (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)
Sabbatical: The Missing Link for Churches and Pastor – 3
Part 3 of 4 – Read Part 1 first
What can we do to stem the tide?
–understand the nature of ministry
Ministry is like no other job on the face of the planet. Why? Because it’s not a job! It’s a vocation–a calling. God gives to the church gifts of men (Eph. 4.11ff). These people-gifts who hold offices in the body of Christ carry weights like no other vocation. Period.
What kinds of consideration and compensation should a person receive who:
- Is on call 24/7.
- Is the front line for personal tragedy
- Sees the worst and best of life. Has to bury a child in the morning and be joyful with the newlyweds in the afternoon.
- Has to study and prepare teaching and messages to equip God’s people
- Has to protect his family and flock from the spiritual attacks of a supernatural being set upon destroying and ravishing men, women, and children.
- Walk point against that enemy himself
–demonstrate Appreciation
One solution proposed by Focus on the Family is a congregation’s annual participation in Clergy Appreciation Month, and a habit of affirmation throughout the year.
Pasted from <http://www.parsonage.org/faq/A000000541.cfm>
We just came through annual Pastor Appreciation Month—October. What did you or your church do to demonstrate how much you value the life and love of your pastor(s)? Showing your love in a tangible way honors Christ and your pastoral leaders.
–a Sabbatical
A sabbatical can be the missing link for your church and your pastor. God meant for us to rest from our labor. The sabbatical is not just for church leaders anymore, but it certainly should be practiced by our churches and leaders.
Many resources abound in our age of books, internet, and information. These suggestions may prove helpful:
- Simply Google “sabbatical” and see what you come up with.
- Assign someone from the church to thoroughly research what’s available. Beginning with this issue of The Witness, begin to read about how a sabbatical might just meet the needs of your church and leaders.
- Read some of the suggested materials found at the end of this article
- Go to the Maranatha Website/Blog and see what you can find there. We’re always adding sabbatical resources.
–a policy of refueling.
“Come Away: Jesus Calls His Sent Ones to Time Alone With Him.”
Even Jesus recognized this and retired often to places in the wilderness or to fishing with friends. He valued and modeled rest and solitude.
Churches can realize that pastors need time to refuel and replenish. Then develop a policy. Answer questions like:
- How often should we send our pastor on sabbatical? [some say every 5 years, others every 7]
- How long should a sabbatical be? [in most cases, 3-6 months is sufficient. Any may be time away, but is NOT a sabbatical]
- What resources will we contribute? What other resources are available?
- What are our plans for our pastoral staff as they near retirement age? What is that age to be in our church and culture? Is retirement mandatory at our church or is it indefinite? Are we willing to lighten the load of aging pastors rather than relegate them to an old age home (assuming they can afford one)
- What would honor Jesus in the way we honor our leadership?
–release pastors to fulfill Christ’s expectations, not ours.
The pastor is God’s called, anointed gift to equip the church. Forget this, and you can forget Kingdom effectiveness. You may have a thriving, huge church, but it has no authority or lasting Kingdom fruit unless Jesus has assigned the leaders. The pastor/elder is not an employee of an organization–easily replaceable by calling the seminary or bible college. Where would the church have gone to get a Paul or a Barnabus? What would the job description and pay have been? Who would have evaluated their ministries? Who would have presumed to give them their marching orders and told them what was expected of them? Ridiculous! Yet the church (as an organization) has lost its moorings and has the wrong-headed notion that the Pastor is the manager of the company.
Perhaps requiring pastors to fulfill our varied and often misinformed expectations instead of Christ’s is another reason so many churches are failing and closing across all denominations and among other associations.
Part 4 of 4 in a couple of days.
©2012, David C Alves All rights reserved.
First published by permission in The Witness, Winter 2012 by Advent Christian General Conference USA.
Related articles
- Pastor Appreciation: Saying “Thanks” (marcyda.wordpress.com)
- The satisfaction of ministry (bluechippastor.org)
- Get Rid of Your Pastor (turningplace.wordpress.com)
- Dangerous Calling (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)
Sabbatical: The Missing Link for Churches and Pastor – 2
Part 2 of 4 – Read Part 1 first
How many pastors are leaving the ministry annually?
Info from Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, and other respected groups [reported at http://djchuang.com] found:
- 1,500 pastors leave the ministry permanently each month in America. [emphasis mine]
- 7,000 churches close each year in America.
Reported from <http://djchuang.com/2010/churches-closing-and-pastors-leaving/>
90% of the minister’s report they feel inadequately trained to meet the demands of the ministry, 70% report having a lower self-image now than when they first started and 50% of the ministers will not even last 5 years!
Pasted from <http://pastoralcareinc.com/MR/Books/EBooks.php>
These figures are staggering. Perhaps one or two or twenty pastors may have neglected their spiritual life in order to be there for everyone else. Or perhaps they have misplaced priorities, but 1,500 a month!? Fifty percent of ministers will not make it past 5 years? WOW!
What are the blockbuster-issues affecting pastors today?
I believe that the following factors contribute directly or indirectly to the statistics which we’ve just read.
–a decline in respect and appreciation.
According to one survey, the occupation of pastor ranks near the bottom of the most-respected professions, just above “car salesman.”
Reported from <http://pastoralcareinc.com/MR/Books/EBooks.php>
Some congregations view their pastors as hired employees or hired hands. Such a view is simply unbiblical and dishonoring to Christ, who gives pastors to the church.
As one source said, “the congregation wrongly believes that it is the pastor’s job to evangelize the community and pull the strays back in.”
Reported from <http://djchuang.com/2010/churches-closing-and-pastors-leaving/>
In reality, according to Ephesians, pastors hold one of the five-fold offices in the church. Theirs is a calling, a vocation, and they are not expendable. They are gifts to the Bride from Jesus himself. They are to be honored and valued.
–long hours and “battle fatigue” leading to exhaustion
Some in the church believe that a leader walking in the Holy Spirit, and in dependence upon Jesus, will never tire or be worn out. Of course this view is short-sighted and ill-informed. But these super-spiritual church members apply simplistic answers to complex conditions. Then they err again by plucking biblical verses out of context without taking into account the whole counsel of Scripture.
They really have no idea the intensity of spiritual warfare and burden many pastoral couples labor under. Some pastoral leaders don’t even recognize the source of their distress.
Focus on the Family’s resident Pastor’s pastor, H.B. London, said recently:
“Many well-meaning Christians in their congregations ignored the signs of “battle fatigue.” Instead, congregations overwhelmed my pastor friends with unrealistic expectations, negative criticism and misplaced anger. Some congregations even assumed the perfect pastor was “out there,” so their fallible pastor was terminated.”
http://www.parsonage.org/faq/A000000541.cfm
Is termination a valid choice for our war-weary troops on the battle front in Afghanistan or Iraq? Those who have withstood the frontal assaults in battle are moved for a time to the rear to recover and retool before redeploying again to the front. Why would we expose those who watch over our souls to years of intense ministry without much more than a few weeks of vacation a year? School teachers get the entire summer off annually. Pastors, elders, and other spiritual leaders operating in modern culture are under so much more than their predecessors of earlier times. But even in those earlier times, spiritual fatigue and exhaustion took its toll.
Jesus knew what it was to be weary. The Apostle Paul understood the weight of ministry and spiritual concern–compassion fatigue is real. Exhaustion is the body responding to the load of spiritual warfare and pastoral care. God constructed our bodies for a slower pace than modern life dishes out.
–low pay
Have you ever considered whether you could go through years of preparation for ministry, years of schooling and graduate studies (if a M.Div. is required for ordination as it is in most denominations) and survive on what the average local church pays its pastor?
It is estimated that about 75% of all ministers live close to the poverty level. . . Many expect the pastor and his/her family to have a higher set of standards than they [themselves] do and unfortunately, having [sic]to “live by faith” more in providing for their provision.
Reported from <http://pastoralcareinc.com/MR/Books/EBooks.php>
Pastors are intentionally and unintentionally kept poor. Very few at the same level of education, experience, and responsibility would work for what the pastor receives. And once the pastor’s effectiveness has been drained, the church simply replaces the pastoral family without much more thought, never mind a substantial severance package. Some church goers feel that the pastor who buys into the modern ideas of 401K’s, severance packages, and housing allowances is unspiritual. These folks argue that the early apostles and Jesus didn’t have any of these things so why should their pastor? But how many of them hold that same standard for themselves?
Perhaps we reap in our lives spiritually what we sow into our leaders’ lives financially (cf. 1 Cor. 9:14; Gal. 6.6; 1 Tim. 5.17-18; esp. Lk. 6:38). Greediness is never applauded by God. Nor is it one of his attributes. Generosity and a giving spirit is what He demonstrates and expects from us, especially toward those men and women whom God has given to the churches. We are never rewarded for keeping our leaders poor.
Part 3 of 4 in a couple of days.
©2012, David C Alves All rights reserved.
First published by permission in The Witness, Winter 2012 by Advent Christian General Conference USA.
Related articles
- Pastor Appreciation: Saying “Thanks” (marcyda.wordpress.com)
- The satisfaction of ministry (bluechippastor.org)
- Get Rid of Your Pastor (turningplace.wordpress.com)
- Dangerous Calling (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)
Sabbatical: The Missing Link for Churches and Pastors
Part 1 of 4
Has anyone noticed the toll that modern ministry is taking on our pastors? Pastoral fatigue and burn out is costing the church more than money; it’s costing lives. More pastors and leaders are leaving ministry today than in the history of the Christian Church. I know because I almost became one of the statistics.
About two years ago, I began to experience depression for no particular reason. I felt discouraged, defeated, depressed, and doubtful things could get much better. I began to withdraw from people. Small tasks seemed huge. Everything took so much mental and physical energy that I didn’t know how I could continue in the ministry.
Follow that with a TIA (mini-stroke). Add to that my wife’s cancer. Then imagine the church beginning to decline. If anything negative could happen, it did.
Fortunately, at the recommendation of my doctor and in response to my health needs church elders granted me a 6-month Sabbatical.
My story has a happy ending. Our sabbatical did great things for Marcy and me. We returned to ministry refreshed, re-inspired, ready to serve as though we had just begun ministry. I recovered the strength and stamina to re-enter with new priorities in place and a replenished store of serotonin.
Read carefully the following text:
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29–31, ESV)
The Holy Spirit through the Prophet Isaiah said that even the youths and young men will be weary and fall. How much more the older men and women? Notice the answer? They who WAIT upon the Lord. Linger with the Lord. Take time to be with Him. They shall renew, mount up, run, and walk unhindered. That’s the kind of pastor or leader I would want to lead me, to model life for me.
Most churches don’t have any idea what’s happening to their pastors as years of people-ministry and spiritual warfare take their toll. So when their shepherds “burn out,” many churches simply replace the pastor with another pastor and before long find that he too needs replacing. Is that God’s plan for those gifted people He gives to the body of Christ to build it up? Is that the future He has ordained for churches—a constant stream of committees on the search to replace tired and hurt servants?
Let’s take a closer look in Part 2.
©2012, David C Alves All rights reserved.
First published by permission in The Witness, Winter 2012 by Advent Christian General Conference USA.
Related articles
- Pastor Appreciation: Saying “Thanks” (marcyda.wordpress.com)
- The satisfaction of ministry (bluechippastor.org)
- Get Rid of Your Pastor (turningplace.wordpress.com)
- Dangerous Calling (pjcockrell.wordpress.com)
Her Real Need, His Real Need
Many men and women today have traded their real need for a false need. We get all upset when people cram religion down our throats, and rightly so. But we didn’t get upset at all when Hollywood crammed phony fulfillment and hedonism down our throats.
We have to take a backward glance at classic needs as expressed in the great literature of history in order to reclaim our rightful heritage and inheritance.
Guys, do you know what her greatest need is? No, it’s not security. She just thinks it is. Many women are unable to recognize their real need until they hear it expressed and take the time to reflect on it and reconnect with it. If she hasn’t gotten so far away from her own pneumatic core (her spiritual core-source), then when she does really hear her real need verbalized, she’s immediately able to say “Yes, that’s it!”
Ladies, do you know his? No, it’s not sex. He just thinks so. He’s also unable to recognize his real need until he hears it again and considers how truly accurate the ancients were with regard to it.
How did you lose touch with your real needs? Hundreds, no thousands, of hours of television and movies. Which all were written by people who have lost touch with classic thought and humanity. Many of those who write have even lost touch with their own pneumatic core. As a result, they channel spiritless relationships and cold, modern and post-modern solipsism.
Well, that’s my opinion anyhow.
So let’s cut to the chase and answer our two questions
What’s HER greatest need?
What’s HIS greatest need?
By the way, what I’m about to share is not opinion . . . it is FACT!
Her greatest need is: TO BE TREASURED–loved devotedly and totally. Loved in such a way that she knows you understand her and treasure her. She’s first . . . before work, before football, before your own comfort. You lay down your life, your goals, your ambitions for her. Only one relationship should be ahead of her . . . your relationship to God. When it is, she’ll be assured that you will be devoted and true to her. And, get this . . . when you treasure her, she’ll naturally be ready to meet your greatest need guys . . .
His greatest need is: TO BE RESPECTED–to be held in high esteem. Respected in front of others. Respected when he speaks what is true and right. Respected when he is wise. Respected when he is treasuring you.
Ladies, want to be treasured? Respect him. He’ll actually live up to the respect you’re giving him. He’ll grow. He’ll improve to be what you’re calling him up to be.
Men, want to be respected . . . treasure her and make sure you’re being a man, not a little boy in men’s clothing. Lay down your self-centeredness for her. Make sure you know the difference between LUST and LOVE. You might want to read my posts if you don’t have this clear in your head.
Lust, Love, or TRUE love – Pt. 2
Of course, all this only works if you chose somebody worthy of treasuring, respecting. Some women and some men are so self-centered and so far from their pneumatic core that they don’t know who they are or what they truly need. You can tell them by their love of “things.” They replace relationships with material things or wealth. They are shallow, thin, ghosts in people clothing–lost in this realm having forgotten their missing core.
Their only hope is to turn to Christ. He will become their core and restore their sanity. Then they’ll be renewed, reborn, and made capable to love and respect someone beside themselves.
This counsel has helped many over the decades of my sharing it. Let me know how it works out for you.
We’re the ‘sons of God’ So What? Kindle Version Now $4.99
The Kindle version of We’re the “sons of God” . . . So What? Is FREE for “Amazon Prime members” to borrow for 80-days.
Now also discounted for purchase. You can purchase this life changing book for your Kindle for $4.99. Snap it up!
What’s the book about?
This is a word to the body of Christ primarily, but others can also benefit. God longs for us to get our understanding of who we are from him, not from the surrounding culture or from those who have believed man’s view of who we are. The book leans heavily on Scripture because the views I’m sharing are biblical but not popular. This is meat, not milk.
We’re told to believe that we’re “sinners saved by grace” and we WERE. We’re told that we’re beggars who have found bread, now leading others to that bread, but neither of those are biblical images for our identity. We’re the ‘sons of God’ . . . So What? presents the neglected view of God’s perspective on who we truly are–the “sons of God.” Women, too, find out how sonship applies to you. How it elevates you. Men discover a sense of your role as a man in this world and the next.
To really get hold of this truth and apply the practical suggestions for your spiritual formation, can break you free of strongholds and generational sin, including alcoholism, drug addictions, sexual addictions, and other bondages that keep us earth-bound. You will be filled with Christ’s humility as you consider the scope of the Good News of the Royal Reign of God the Father and your role in his Kingdom.
Want to know God’s will for your life? Want to know your inheritance and begin living in it? See what follows our light and momentary season of suffering.
Unconvinced? See what others have to say about We’re the ‘sons of God’ . . . So What?
Contents Includes
Know God
- In My Father’s House
- What kind of Father?
- A Heart at the Head of the Family
- God’s Authority and Order
- Behind the Veil: God’s Council and the ha Bene Elohim
Know the Problem
- The Great Rebellion
- On Earth As It Is In Heaven
- Wounded Earth
- Kingdoms at War
- Cultures at War
- The “god” of This World
Know the Solution—the Beautiful News!
- Turning Hearts: A Restoration of Legitimate Authority
- The Son of God: All Authority
- Godly Leaders
- Authority of Love
- Promoted Down
Know Who YOU Really Are
- Jesus’ and Paul’s Vision
- What did Paul see? Why could it have caused him to be so “lifted up” that he needed a thorn in the flesh to keep him from harm? Who are we? What was “the joy” set before Jesus? What did he understand that gave him a sense of what lay ahead? What did Paul see in the “third heaven?”
- A New Age—The Royal Reign of God
- sons of God
- A New Family—joined in heaven and earth
- Firstfruits of the Kingdom
Bear the Likeness
- We Shall Be Like Him
- Glory
- The promises of “glory” are promises to bear the likeness of Christ or of God, depending upon the context in which it’s used.
- Walk As Jesus Walked
Stay Focused
- Fixed On Jesus – author & perfector
- Ministry in the 21st Century
- Useful to the King—Rev. 3:14ff
- Our Choices
Prepare to Rule
- The real Return of the King
- The Revealing of the “sons of God”
- Raised and Reunited
- Our Fatherland
- The New Heavens and the New Earth
- Our Father’s City
- “The New Jerusalem”
- The End of Evil
- The End is the Beginning – Back Where We Belong
So What?
- Believe INTO Who God Says You Really Are?
Check it out. You’ll be encouraged. Then spend 4.99 to change your life.
Or join Amazon Prime and borrow it for free. But after you read it you’ll not only want your own Kindle version, you’ll want either a softcover or hardcover version. (which I prefer, because I use it so much and it holds up under continued study). Let me know what you think.
QUESTION: Are you living the abundant life Jesus won for you? Are you riding the heights of the earth yet?
©2012, David C Alves
Just Reviewed: Sabbath Keeping
Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest by Lynne M. Baab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sabbath Keeping is a fresh look at an important antidote to our chronic busyness.
I love it that Lynne Baab does not approach the topic from the vantage-point of “law.” Rather, she comes at it through a seasonal metaphor. Life is full of seasons. Sabbath rest is an organic, season in our week. It is a rhythm of life. Those who participate in this special gift of God–one day out of seven–experience a harvest of peace and joy in the midst of their lives.
She also gives practical helps for those interested in going deeper or launching into a Sabbath. She gives multiple solutions for those who want to move out of the cultural torrent, to the still waters of a deeper spirituality.
Since I have been keeping a Sabbath with my wife for two years now, I find her suggestions and conclusions to be right on target. I highly recommend this book to veterans or those just thinking about the need for a quiet space in their week.
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