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Proposed Sabbatical
Policy and Procedure
St. John's Lutheran Church - ELCA
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Policy
- A sabbatical leave is understood to be a
time of release from normal duties in order that a
pastor may devote time to renewal and study.
- A sabbatical leave is understood as an integral
and important part of an overall strategy for
enhancing the mission of the congregation through
pastoral renewal, development, and growth.
- Pastors shall be eligible for a sabbatical leave
of 3 months after having continuously served the
congregation full-time for 6 years. Thereafter, a
pastor shall be eligible for further sabbaticals every
seventh year.
- Recipients of sabbatical leave opportunities will
be expected to serve the congregation for at least one
year following return from a sabbatical leave.
- Sabbatical leaves are not granted automatically,
but shall be evaluated, approved, and administered by
the Congregational Council.
- Procedure
- Sabbatical leave procedures are to be
considered flexible so as to accommodate surprises and
unusual opportunities that may develop.
- Since the congregation and entire church are
ultimately enriched by the pastor's sabbatical leave,
it is desirable that there be shared planning with the
pastor's co-workers, interested congregational
members, and the Congregational Council.
- Pastors seeking sabbatical leave shall submit a
written proposal to the Congregational Council
providing adequate notice of the requested sabbaticals
so as to allow for necessary coordination and
budgeting for the proposed leave. Notice of between 3
months and 6 months is encouraged.
- Proposals to the Congregational Council should
include the following:
- Personal objectives and program
objectives
- a description of the major elements of the
experience
- Proposed beginning date and end date
- Suggestions of how current job
responsibilities will be handled during the
leave
- A description of any anticipated budgetary
implications
- A sabbatical leave is separate and distinct from
continuing education and vacation, which shall be
granted as in any other year.
- A pastor shall continue to receive normal
compensation and benefits during the period of the
sabbatical leave.
- The pastor on sabbatical leave shall be
responsible for the costs of the sabbatical, unless
the congregation chooses to contribute to such costs.
The pastor may choose to use accumulated continuing
education funds for such purpose.
- Within a month of return from sabbatical leave,
the pastor shall submit a written report and
evaluation of the leave to the Congregational
Council.
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