Dear Trinity Grace Church,
As many of you know, the Session of Trinity Grace Church has gifted me with a Sabbatical this summer. I have been very encouraged by so many of you who have expressed support for this upcoming sabbatical over the past few weeks. I wanted to craft a letter in an attempt to better communicate the reasoning and plan for my time away. This letter will hopefully describe a sabbatical, the benefits of a pastor taking one, and the plan to implement a three-month sabbatical for me this summer. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me personally or to one of our Ruling Elders.
What is a Sabbatical?
One author describes a sabbatical as, “a carefully planned period of time in which the Pastor is granted leave away from his normal responsibilities in order to spend an extended period of time in rest, renewal and refreshment.” This cessation of pastoral ministry is intended to provide physical rest, spiritual renewal, and overall refreshment. It combines rest, retreat, and play to bless the pastor and his family. In the words of sabbatical coach Jim Smith, “a sabbatical is an investment in a pastor’s renewal.”
The word “sabbatical” comes from the Hebrew word shabbat, which means “to cease or rest.” In the Scriptures, Sabbath is observed after the six days of creation (Gen 2:3), enshrined as a weekly day of rest and worship (Exod. 20:8), and prescribed as a year of release and debt forgiveness after seven years (Deut. 15). Sabbatical periods of rest were regularly observed by Jesus and were instrumental for both Moses and Paul in discerning the Lord’s calling (Gal. 1:17-18). While a strict sabbatical is not required for pastors, it is a wise investment in both pastor and congregation.
Why take a Sabbatical?
The first reason I welcome the Session’s offer of a sabbatical is that I am acutely aware of pastoral requirements. Unlike other vocations, my calling requires spiritual vitality. I cannot be a faithful pastor and remain busy and exhausted. I must, as the apostles put it, “devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4). This includes periods of silence and meditation, reflection and prayer, and biblical study—essentially hearing from God. While I have practiced this “on the fly” over the past seven years at Trinity Grace Church and fourteen years in ministry, I feel the need to withdraw, evaluate, rest, and draw near to God to be refreshed and gain clear vision for the next season of ministry and life.
A second reason for this sabbatical is the nature of pastoral work. While I would never make the case that my vocation and calling is harder than another persons, each of our callings and vocations do have unique challenges. Working away steadily at the complex task of caring for eternal souls, addressing sin and suffering, navigating unique unforeseen challenges, practicing the craft of preaching God’s Word, and leading an organization like a local church from its very beginnings, requires an energy that is not purely physical or mental. While many vocations are demanding, pastoral work has unique spiritual components. The Enemy prowls like a lion, sends wolves after sheep, and deploys snares at every turn. I need a break from the war and long for time “back home.” This sabbatical is an investment in pastoral health. I understand that a lifetime of pastoral ministry is a marathon, not a sprint, and this sabbatical will provide a chance to rest so that I can re-engage the race with renewed energy.
Along these lines, sabbaticals benefit the church by helping to create the environment for a long-term pastorate. Sabbaticals contribute to the well-being of clergy and congregation through helping sustain pastoral leadership. Sustained leadership and long-term pastorates result in deeper and healthy relationships with congregants helping Trinity Grace fulfill our mission. The average tenure of a pastor in America is 3-4 years which doesn’t allow for the establishment of deep, trusting relationships. God works through sabbaticals in mysterious and providential ways to help pastors stay committed to one place over many years.
A third reason for sabbatical is family health. My strongest partner in ministry is my wife. Rachel is not just the mother of our kids, a dedicated community volunteer, and the day-in-day-out manager of the Novak family, she is my partner in life. Trinity Grace Church would never have been planted without her. We are a team. I want my teammate, and the love of my life, to be refreshed. I want my children to know that family comes first. While we practice these values regularly, a sabbatical will help us cultivate them as a husband and wife, father and mother.
A fourth reason for sabbatical is church health. I do not want to fall into dutiful ministry, where you become the subject of me going through the motions. By God’s grace, I have avoided this trap so far. Rarely do I feel that ministry is sheer duty. But it is time to step back and evaluate, in a sustained way, what the Lord has been doing in me, and for you to see what God has been doing in you. By that I mean, with your lead pastor gone for a season, you will get to see just how much you have grown.
You’ll also benefit from the challenge of being the church (which I think you already do quite well), without my help. It has been my prayer that, “you let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents” (Phil. 1:27–28). I believe my absence, in some unique ways, will unify and strengthen Trinity Grace Church in and for the gospel of Jesus.
The Sabbatical Plan
These details were communicated by Ruling Elder Matt Valdes on behalf of the session during our worship service on Sunday January 14.
Length: Our policy at Trinity Grace offers our pastors a sabbatical every 7 years. Our policy provides for a 3 month sabbatical. My last day of work will be May 12, 2024 and I will return to work on August 12, 2024. I plan to be begin preaching duties again on Sunday August 25, 2024.
Expectations: Michael will be expected to refrain from all Trinity Grace Church responsibilities. He will not be responsible for emails, texts, counseling, staff leadership, preaching, or any other church responsibility. He will worship with another church body during this time. Michael will clearly distribute his responsibilities across existing Trinity Grace Church leaders for the duration of his sabbatical. The elders will continue to lead the church with general oversight and pastoral care, assisted by the staff and deacons of Trinity Grace Church.
We have a passionate and competent staff that is eager to help lead our church during my absence this summer. We also have humble and wise church officers who are committed to providing the needed oversight and pastoral care during my sabbatical. We will be working hard over the coming months to ensure details are in place that will allow for a smooth sabbatical experience for both myself and our church.
I want to reaffirm to you all my commitment to our church and thank you for allowing me this time away. I am excited for what the Lord will do among us all this summer!
Sincerely in the Gospel,
Pastor Michael