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Biblical Considerations
The idea of "sabbath" goes back to the Old Testament law. God built into the life of his people a cycle of work and rest. Resting from ones regular work was to happen one day each week and several weeks each year (various feasts). Every seven years the land was to have a sabbath rest, as laid out in Leviticus 25:3-5 "For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest." Even though the focus is on giving the land a rest, in a predominantly agrarian society this would have meant a rest for most of the people from their regular work as well. This would have required careful planning on the part of the farmers and their workers. They had six years to save money and store up crops to carry them through the seventh year. One of the greatest obstacles to a "sabbath" year in our society today is the financial bind people, including pastors, get themselves into, and the conclusion is that we can't afford to rest from our work for any extended period of time. More thoughts on this under Financial Considerations. The main point here is that an extended sabbatical every seven or so years may be God's design for all of us. Just imagine what families, in ministry or not, could do with these years. One family (parents and four children) in our church did this and included a time of serving in an orphanage in Mexico as well as a long road trip across Canada and the USA.
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While I do not believe that we are under the Old Testament law, I do believe that there are lifegiving principles in it, like the rhythm of work and rest. We also find this in the New Testament. Jesus often withdrew to a lonely place to get away from people. This seems to have been a daily practice for him (Luke 5:16 "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."). He also observed the weekly sabbaths (though not according to the laws of man) and the annual feasts. In addition to that, he took an extended "sabbatical", as I would call it, namely at the beginning of his public ministry. The Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness by himself for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11). This has revolutionized my view of sabbaticals. An extended time away is neither a reward for years of faithful ministry, nor a time to recover from being overworked, at least not primarily. First and foremost it is a time of spiritual formation and preparation for the years of ministry that lie ahead. I could preach several sermons on this subject, but I won't :)
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I believe there is a basic difference between pastors and missionaries/church planters. The latter travel with greater frequency from one ministry location to another, while the former usually stay put in one congregation for a longer time to shepherd the flock. Nevertheless, even the more pastoral leaders in the New Testament, like Timothy and Titus, spent time ministering in different congregations. Ministering in another church for a time can be a great growth opportunity for both the pastor and the congregation. Churches should not be "selfish" with their pastors (the Ephsesians sent out their very best in Paul and Barnabas - Acts 13:1-2) and pastors should not be "insecure" about leaving their church for a time to let another pastor minister there. The benefits of this kind of an exchange can be tremendous.
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If you have any other thoughts about Biblical Considerations, please leave a comment below.
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