Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs - Pastoral Relations
An occasional newsletter of *Frequently Asked Questions* in the area of Pastoral Relations … *SABBATICALS* Our Minister wants to take a sabbatical. What exactly is a sabbatical in the United Church ? While some ministers in years past have taken sabbaticals, it is only recently that the General Council has developed a policy regarding sabbatical. It was at the last General Council, held in 2003, that the church endorsed that we develop a Sabbatical policy. At the meeting of the General Council Executive in late October 2005 a policy was passed. This policy will come into effect January 1, 2006. A sabbatical is a time away for study, spiritual retreat and rest. It is rooted in the Biblical practice of the Sabbath day and is based the example of Jesus who took time in his ministry for renewal and prayer. As the Rationale to the Policy states, “The daily practice of ministry may involve the pressure of many tasks compressed into too few hours leaving little opportunity for reflective, prayerful time. In the context of ministry, sabbatical time is for learning through reflection, revitalization and recreation.” How long does a sabbatical last? The United Church policy states “that every pastoral charge shall provide a paid sabbatical of at least three consecutive months to those in paid accountable ministry who have completed at least five years of service in one call or appointment.” This means that if your minister has served your pastoral charge for five years your minister is eligible to take a three-month sabbatical. The policy states that “This sabbatical time is in addition to the minister's vacation time and regular study leave for the year in which the sabbatical is taken. Sabbatical leave may be taken in conjunction with the vacation time, continuing education and additional unpaid leave of absence. The provision for a sabbatical shall be included in the terms of the call or appointment.” Who pays for the sabbatical? During the sabbatical time the pastoral charge will pay the ministry personnel's regular salary and housing allowance (or provide the use of a manse) and make the regular payments to The United Church of Canada for health and pension plans, and the Employee Assistance Program as well as Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, as of the day prior to the commencement of the sabbatical. What is the pastoral charge's involvement in planning the sabbatical? The policy lays out the procedures and the pastoral charge has a key role to play. The ministry personnel must submit notice of their intent to take a sabbatical to the Ministry and Personnel Committee at least 12 months prior to the projected commencement of the sabbatical. The timing of the sabbatical must be developed in consultation with the M&P Committee and approved by the Official Board/Church Council. At least three months prior to the start of the sabbatical the ministry personnel must submit a detailed proposal to the M&P committee. This plan is approved by the M&P committee and reported to the Official Board/Church Council for information. After the sabbatical the ministry personnel will provide a brief written and oral report to the Ministry and Personnel Committee and to the Official Board/ Church Council. Does the Presbytery play a role as well? The Presbytery must be notified by the pastoral charge of the ministry personnel's intent to take sabbatical time no later than six months prior to the commencement of the sabbatical. The Presbytery will determine whether a pastoral charge supervisor should be appointed. I can see why the minister would want a sabbatical but how does it benefit the pastoral charge? While the minister is on sabbatical the pastoral charge is given an opportunity to reflect on its mission and ministry and to experience the different gifts of lay leadership within in its bounds. You also benefit from a minister who returns with new energy and clarity about the ministry of mission of Jesus Christ.

FAQs - Pastoral Relations

An occasional newsletter of Frequently Asked Questions in the area of Pastoral Relations …

SABBATICALS

Our Minister wants to take a sabbatical. What exactly is a
sabbatical in the United Church ?

While some ministers in years past have taken sabbaticals, it is only recently that the General Council has developed a policy regarding sabbatical. It was at the last General Council, held in 2003, that the church endorsed that we develop a Sabbatical policy. At the meeting of the General Council Executive in late October 2005 a policy was passed. This policy will come into effect January 1, 2006.

A sabbatical is a time away for study, spiritual retreat and rest. It is rooted in the Biblical practice of the Sabbath day and is based the example of Jesus who took time in his ministry for renewal and prayer. As the Rationale to the Policy states, “The daily practice of ministry may involve the pressure of many tasks compressed into too few hours leaving little opportunity for reflective, prayerful time. In the context of ministry, sabbatical time is for learning through reflection, revitalization and recreation.”

How long does a sabbatical last?

The United Church policy states “that every pastoral charge shall provide a paid sabbatical of at least three consecutive months to those in paid accountable ministry who have completed at least five years of service in one call or appointment.”

This means that if your minister has served your pastoral charge for five years your minister is eligible to take a three-month sabbatical. The policy states that “This sabbatical time is in addition to the minister's vacation time and regular study leave for the year in which the sabbatical is taken. Sabbatical leave may be taken in conjunction with the vacation time, continuing education and additional unpaid leave of absence. The provision for a sabbatical shall be included in the terms of the call or
appointment.”

Who pays for the sabbatical?

During the sabbatical time the pastoral charge will pay the ministry personnel's regular salary and housing allowance (or provide the use of a manse) and make the regular payments to The United Church of Canada for health and pension plans, and the Employee Assistance Program as well as Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, as of the day prior to the commencement of the sabbatical.

What is the pastoral charge's involvement in planning the sabbatical?

The policy lays out the procedures and the pastoral charge has a key role to play. The ministry personnel must submit notice of their intent to take a sabbatical to the Ministry and Personnel Committee at least 12 months prior to the projected commencement of the sabbatical. The timing of the sabbatical must be developed in consultation with the M&P Committee and approved by the Official Board/Church Council. At least three months prior to the start of the sabbatical the ministry personnel must submit a detailed proposal to the M&P committee. This plan is approved by the M&P committee and reported to the Official Board/Church Council for information.

After the sabbatical the ministry personnel will provide a brief written and oral report to the Ministry and Personnel Committee and to the Official Board/ Church Council.

Does the Presbytery play a role as well?

The Presbytery must be notified by the pastoral charge of the ministry personnel's intent to take sabbatical time no later than six months prior to the commencement of the sabbatical. The Presbytery will determine whether a pastoral charge supervisor should be appointed.

I can see why the minister would want a sabbatical but how does it benefit the pastoral charge?

While the minister is on sabbatical the pastoral charge is given an opportunity to reflect on its mission and ministry and to experience the different gifts of lay leadership within in its bounds. You also benefit from a minister who returns with new energy and clarity about the ministry of mission of Jesus Christ.