What Is a Sabbatical, and How Can It Help Energize Leaders?

3. It Helps Them Reset Their Brains

Romans 12:2 tells us to, “be transformed by the renewing of our minds…” But how can a leader do that when he's constantly focused on another task or going back to work after the weekend ends? A sabbatical allows the leader to reflect on what he's done in the past, the difference he's made in other's lives, and see the people whom God has entrusted him with. A sabbatical allows a leader to take an extended retreat to focus on God, hear his voice and receive direction for the next chapter in his life. This benefits his congregation and people under his leadership because he will have fresh vision, not only for himself but also for the people he is called to lead.

4. It Allows Them to Make a Difference in Their Community

While many people donate a small amount of their time to helping out in their local community, a leader often cannot do that because he is focused on getting ready for the following week’s work. He often does not have time to give back to his community because he is constantly preparing for the next task or, if it is a pastor, visiting the people in his care or praying for those who are sick.

A sabbatical will help him contribute to a cause that is near and dear to his heart. If the sabbatical is planned properly, a pastor can donate as much time as he would like to a local business or organization in his community. He can expand his efforts beyond stocking food at a food pantry or dishing out food at a homeless shelter. He can lend his financial expertise to a struggling local business, counsel those who cannot get into a counseling center, or he can pray for those stuck in addiction. Without the added hindrance of having to go back to work the following week, he can concentrate his efforts on true mission work. This will free him to give up his talents freely and with no strings attached.

5. It Allows Him to Seek God’s Vision and Direction

The leader can take a sabbatical for many reasons, but one reason may be that the leader is experiencing burnout. Burnout can be detrimental to the organization that he leads. Without vision or direction, it is difficult for him to fully give himself to his work, and because of this, he may be doing his work half- heartedly and not giving fully of his talents.

A sabbatical allows him the opportunity to seek God's vision and direction. In addition to taking a spiritual retreat, he may be able to devote a full week in solitude, or practice other spiritual disciplines he does not have time to do during a busy work week.

A sabbatical is especially helpful in this area, because by not focusing on his daily to-do, list he can concentrate fully on the vision and direction both for himself and for the organization with which he leads.

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.