Sabbaticals in the Methodist Church a guide for ministers

Transcription

1 Sabbaticals in the Methdist Church a guide fr ministers What is a sabbatical? Standing Order 744 defines a ministerial sabbatical as a perid f release frm the rdinary duties f the [presbyteral r diacnal] appintment, in additin t nrmal hlidays, fr the purpse f pursuing an apprved prgramme f study, research, wrk r experience. Sabbaticals are pprtunities t re-train, refresh and renew the very base frm which future activity may spring ( Sabbaticals fr Ministers, Cnference Agenda 1985, 240). Nrmally the length f the sabbatical is three mnths and special permissin is required fr any lnger perid. It is usually taken as a three-mnth blck. If fr any reasn it needs t be split up, it shuld be taken in n mre than three parts, ver a perid f n mre than six mnths. The term sabbatical derived riginally frm the Old Testament and related t the Sabbath, the weekly day f rest and delight in Gd (Exd 34:21; Is 58:13-4), and the sabbatical year, in which, every seven years, cmplete rest was cmmanded fr the land, with n swing r reaping, and the remissin f debts and release f Hebrew slaves (Lev 25:4; 1 Macc 6:49; Deut 15:1,12). By extensin, in the nineteenth-century, sabbatical became used by universities t dente a perid f study leave fr their academic staff, riginally every seven years. Later, ther prfessins and ccupatins embraced the practice, as a means f vcatinal develpment and refreshment. Why take a sabbatical? Ever since 2000, sabbaticals have been a required part f the minister r deacn s perfrmance f his r her duties (CPD 2000, SO757(1)), in the light f the acknwledged benefits f sabbaticals fr ministers, deacns and the church at large (Cnference Agenda 1999, 320). These are sme f the key benefits f sabbaticals identified by ministers in a cnnexinal survey: it was a time f grwth & develpment it was a time f experiencing ther cultures and Gd's peple elsewhere I became mre attentive t Gd s vice it gave me the time t simply be with Gd, t listen and nt have t rush away; t be tuched, healed, restred and directed it was a time f new learning bth I and the church benefited frm creative wrk undertaken it reduced my stress it imprved my mental and physical health, rebuilding lifestyle habits affected negatively by the nn-stp nature f ministry it was a time f refreshment & renewal it enabled me t take stck it enabled me t hear where Gd was guiding my future ministry it enabled the develpment f resurces t use in my ministry hpefully, there was a benefit t the wider church frm the research I did it was a time t re-invest in family life in really significant ways it re-enthused me in my ministry it helped me re-fcus n pririties f Church & ministry 1

2 it renewed my sul s that I was in a better psitin t minister in a way that culd renew the sul f thers. Senir circuit stewards als testified t the benefits f sabbaticals fr ministers: they give ur ministers mre time fr peace and reflectin with a cmplete break frm the incessant calls upn their time ministers return re-energised, refreshed and their calling re-ignited Sabbaticals can be extremely beneficial bth fr yu, the individual minister, and fr the health f the wider Church. The stimulatin and cnfidence deriving frm learning a new skill, the refreshment and renewal f a perid in which ne is distanced frm regular cmmitments, as well as the direct benefit f spiritual and intellectual pursuits [can] nly enhance the whle ministry f the peple f Gd ( Sabbaticals fr Ministers, Cnference Agenda 1985, 240). It is a great privilege t be given a sabbatical. Few peple in Methdist cngregatins have that pprtunity during their wrking lives. This can smetimes result in resentment r misunderstanding and the assumptin that the minister is simply taking extended paid leave. T help mitigate this, it can be helpful t explre sme f the likely wider benefits f yur sabbatical with yur churches, bth befre and after the sabbatical takes place. Wh can have a sabbatical? All presbyters and deacns in Full Cnnexin and statined in an appintment within the cntrl f the Church are expected t take a regular sabbatical. Ministers in appintments utside the cntrl f the Church r given permissin t wrk in a secular jb may be eligible fr sabbaticals there, but this will depend n the specific terms f service in that rle. Thse ministers fall utside the Methdist sabbatical arrangements described in this Guide. When are sabbaticals taken? The years in which sabbaticals may be taken are nrmally every seventh year f yur travel as a minister. Sabbaticals may, fr gd reasn, be taken ne year earlier r later. Hwever, sabbaticals shuld nt be taken in the first year f a new appintment. Als, sabbaticals shuld nt be taken in the same cnnexinal year as maternity leave. Special permissin is required fr any greater departure frm the nrmal dates. (Standing Order 744 (1-3)). Ministerial Missin Partners are nt entitled t take sabbaticals during their verseas service r UK leave. It shuld be nted that in line with Standing Orders ministers are nt able t take a sabbatical during the first year f an appintment after returning t the UK. The perid f Missin Partner service cunts twards the entitlement t a sabbatical. If a minister is in an appintment utside the cntrl f the Church r has been given permissin t wrk in a secular jb, the sabbatical clck will be paused and then restarted n their return t ministry within the cntrl f the Church. The qualifying perid fr sabbaticals relates t the number f years spent in appintments within the cntrl f the Church. S, fr instance, if Minister X is eligible fr a sabbatical in tw years time, but then takes up an appintment utside the cntrl f the Church, Minister X will be eligible fr a sabbatical tw years after 2

3 returning t an appintment within the cntrl f the Church (hwever lng the intervening perid). There are special prvisins fr ministers frm ther Cnferences and Churches. Althugh Standing Order 744 refers nly t ministers in Full Cnnexin, SO 732(5) states that ministers wh are Recgnized and Regarded serve under the same terms and cnditins as thse wh are in Full Cnnexin. Hence, they shuld be expected t take a sabbatical in the seventh year f their travel in the Methdist Church in Britain (and every seventh year thereafter), regardless f any sabbatical prvisin in their previus appintments. Thse wh transfer int Full Cnnexin shuld be expected t take a sabbatical in the seventh year f travel in the Methdist Church in Britain (and every seventh year thereafter). The fllwing table indicates when sabbaticals are due please nte the transitin arrangements, in the light f the Methdist Cnference 2018 decisin t begin the first sabbatical at seven years travel. NB. If a minister is in an appintment utside the cntrl f the Church r has been given permissin t serve in a secular jb, the sabbaticals clck will be paused and then restarted n their return t ministry within the cntrl f the Church s this calculatin guide will nt be applicable. Hw are sabbaticals arranged? Each district has a Sabbaticals Secretary and a Sabbaticals Advisry Grup. It is their jb t: identify wh is eligible fr a sabbatical accrding t the cnnexinal guidelines decide exactly when sabbaticals shuld be taken 3

4 agree what shuld be dne during the sabbatical (based upn prpsals frm the minister) authrise the incurring f expenses check that a supprt grup is established ensure anything learned during the sabbatical is shared deal with any ther queries. If yu are eligible fr a sabbatical, yu will be reminded by the District Sabbatical Secretary abut eighteen mnths ahead f the cnnexinal year in which yur sabbatical is due. The first thing which then has t be agreed is when precisely during the year yur sabbatical can practicably be taken. This needs t be discussed with yur family (where applicable), circuit staff and the circuit leadership team. Yu will then need t set up a sabbatical supprt grup as sn as pssible. It is their jb t: ensure there is adequate cver in the circuit during yur absence; ensure there is pastral and practical supprt fr yur family (if applicable) help yu as yu plan yur sabbatical (especially with practical matters) help yu plan yur return frm sabbatical and yur transitin back int wrk help yu share the fruits f yur sabbatical in the circuit. The cmpsitin f the sabbatical supprt grup will vary frm place t place but shuld nrmally include: yu (the persn taking the sabbatical) a representative f each church fr which yu have pastral charge/ in which yur ministry is fcused; a representative f the Circuit Meeting (fr instance, a circuit steward) a member f yur family (if applicable) The grup may als pt t include: the superintendent minister r anther member f the circuit staff (r, in the case f a single-statin circuit, the neighburing superintendent) a link persn appinted by the District Sabbaticals Advisry Grup smene frm utside Methdism, such as a minister frm a different denminatin, (if wider supprt is needed) A prgramme fr yur sabbatical then needs t be agreed with the District Sabbaticals Advisry Grup. As part f this prcess yu will need t cmplete a Sabbatical Prspectus frm, n later than Octber, eleven mnths befre the start f the cnnexinal year in which yu will be taking yur sabbatical. Ministers include a wide variety f things in their sabbaticals, such as: reflectin time recnnecting and spending quality time with family study 4

5 travel reading recreatin retreat time t simply be with Gd research pening up a new experience quiet time taking a curse ding smething creative; vlunteering If yu need any mre ideas, ask the District Sabbaticals Advisry Grup fr their help. Yu might als get sme inspiratin frm finding ut what ther ministers in the district have dne previusly as part f their sabbaticals. Obviusly, it s nt pssible fr yu t have a cmpletely free chice. Yur sabbatical, fr instance, is nt intended t be ne lng hliday! The next sectin f this Guide explains sme f the ways in which sabbaticals are shaped. When the details f yur sabbatical have been agreed it is then pssible t apply fr an advance payment, if necessary, f yur anticipated expenses, via the District Sabbaticals Secretary wh can prvide the requisite frm (yu will need t prvide relevant receipts). Hw are sabbaticals shaped? It s imprtant t devise a well-balanced prgramme that will re-equip, refresh and renew yu. Peple ften find that it s helpful t g away fr hwever lng they can affrd. This can help yu pen up new hrizns and see things frm new perspectives. As part f yur regular Ministerial Develpment Review (MDR) and in cnjunctin with yur supervisin prgramme, yu will have identified future hpes and gals (particular prjects, initiatives r aims twards which yu feel called t direct yur effrts) and areas fr learning and develpment (which may arise frm yur hpes and gals, frm aspects f yur ministry that yu have fund challenging, r frm gifts and graces which shuld be allwed t grw and develp). Try t ensure that yur sabbatical helps yu address at least sme f these hpes and gals and areas fr learning and develpment. Yur subsequent MDR and supervisin will als then give yu the pprtunity t reflect n, discuss and celebrate ways in which yur sabbatical has helped yu develp. Like yur supervisin prgramme, yur sabbatical shuld ideally be bth restrative and frmative. Restratively, it shuld help yu (re-)cnnect with yur visin and sense f vcatin and gather back t yurself thse parts f yurself that can get lst in yur wrk, such as yur sense f humur ability t get angry ability t ask fr help ability t preserve space fr [yurself] ability t think straight ability t cnnect with [yur] wn feelings. Frmatively, yur sabbatical shuld help yu cnnect yur visin and thelgy with yur practice f ministry, and enable yu t grw mre nearly int the minister Gd is calling [yu] t be (Jane Leach & Michael Patersn, Pastral Supervisin: A Handbk, Lndn: SCM Press, 2015 (2 nd ed.), 20-22). 5

6 Yur sabbatical is part f yur cntinuing develpment in ministry (CDiM). It shuld fit naturally int that flw f learning and develpment that began when yu left training and which is, hpefully, cntinuing t inspire and equip yur ministry. There are fur key learning areas that CDiM is intended t address: learning t inhabit ministry and enter int leadership and versight respnsibility deepening thelgically-reflective practice in cntext, and s expanding hrizns fr missin and ministry deepening engagement with Bible and Christian traditin, with ne particular fcus n ministers grwth as wrship leaders and preachers grwing in hliness, and cnfidence in evangelism and seeking justice Try t ensure that yur sabbatical engages with at least ne f these learning areas ideally ne that yu haven t had much chance t give attentin t recently. Of curse, yu knw the things yu can t wait t d and the things that will really energise yu. Make sure t include thse things t: t arrive at a well-balanced prgramme fr yur sabbatical. Pre-planning a sabbatical It s wrth taking the time t plan yur sabbatical carefully and prayerfully, with the help f yur supprt grup. Sme f yur preparatin may need t be quite early, especially if yu are arranging travel and accmmdatin. Hwever, d try t resist the temptatin t ver-plan yur sabbatical, therwise it may becme as cngested as yur everyday ministry may have becme. Wrkahlic tendencies can smetimes be carried ver int a sabbatical. Yur sabbatical ffers yu a chance t be as well as d - t include creative, jyful and restful experiences, helping t bring yu mre fully int the presence f Gd. It s imprtant t include yur family (where applicable) in yur planning. Yu may chse t spend part f yur sabbatical alne, away frm hme. Equally, yu may want t maximise quality time with yur family and, maybe, g travelling with them. Of curse, if yu spend mre time at hme than usual, yu may find yurselves getting under each ther s feet. There is a healthy balance t strike between tgetherness and respect fr each ther s space and time. Althugh this is a sabbatical fr yu, yur family will be affected. Hpefully, yur family will find that there are gd spin ffs fr them frm yur sabbatical. That is mst likely t happen if yu make time t talk yur plans thrugh with them befrehand, s that they can be fully invlved in yur planning. We have already mentined the pssibility that yu might travel as part f yur sabbatical. Peple ften find this a really imprtant aspect f their sabbatical. They reprt that travel has expanded their mind and sul, with new envirnments, new experiences, new cnversatins, new friendships and perhaps new challenges. Smetimes peple immerse themselves in a very different culture. Smetimes peple renew ties with members f their extended family. A change f scene can bring rest and renewal. It als can als actively help yu disengage frm yur churches, by literally remving yu frm yur nrmal schedules and preccupatins. Of curse, travel and accmmdatin can be expensive. Smetimes Christian retreat and cnference centres ffer special deals fr thse n sabbatical. Hpefully, yur csts will be cvered by the sabbatical allwance, but if yu wish t spend mre d check yu can affrd it. 6

7 The ther key players t include in yur pre-planning are yur churches. It is imprtant t clarify expectatins and set prper bundaries fr the perid f yur sabbatical, therwise unwarranted assumptins may be made. When, and fr what reasns, might yu be available, if at all, during yur sabbatical? Wuld it be apprpriate, r nt, t cntact yu in certain emergencies? Wuld it be apprpriate, r nt, t tell yu abut, r even ask yu t cnduct, certain funerals? The answers t thse questins lie with yu. Yu shuld feel n pressure t be available at all during yur sabbatical, and, certainly, if yu allw any exceptins, this must nt impinge detrimentally n yur sabbatical. Remember, n minister is indispensable yur sabbatical is a gd chance fr yu and yur cngregatin t learn (r re-learn) that! Taking a sabbatical Churches smetimes mark a persn s departure fr their sabbatical by hlding a farewell meal, t which the whle church family is invited. Often there will be special blessing prayers said fr them at their final service. Churches are encuraged t find an apprpriate way f saying gdbye (with its riginal meaning f Gd be with yu! ). All f this will be cuched in terms f wishing them well fr their sabbatical jurney, in the expectatin that they will return refreshed and renewed in three mnths time. Naturally, this is different frm the srt f farewells expressed when a minister mves n t a new appintment. It s imprtant t make a clean start t yur sabbatical. Say yur gdbyes at yur final services. Reassure peple that yu will be back and are nt leaving fr gd. And then discnnect frm Day One yur churches will survive withut yu! It can be very helpful t symblically mark the beginning f yur sabbatical in sme way and nt simply drift int it. Yu may, fr instance, chse t g ut fr a meal, g t an event r g away fr a few days. Hwever, dn t try t d t much, all at nce peple ften welcme the chance t initially catch up n their sleep and put their feet up, especially if they have been busy right up t the last. Yu may like t keep a jurnal during yur sabbatical, either in a ntebk r as a private blg. This culd help yu capture sme f yur new experiences and ideas. It culd als give yu smething t revisit as the sabbatical unflds t reveal grwth and develpment brught n by the sabbatical. Befre yur sabbatical ends, it s wrth asking yurself whether yu still have the same persnal and spiritual pririties yu had at the start. If they ve changed, hw will yur future ministry reflect this? If yur previus pririties have been validated and reinfrced, hw will yu remain true t them? What has brught yu the mst refreshment and renewal and hw culd that be built int yur future ministry? Might yu, fr instance, include brief mini-sabbaticals, every s ften a few hurs when yu take up again things that energised and restred yu n yur sabbatical? Cming back frm a sabbatical As yu apprach the end f yur sabbatical, yu will prbably have a cmplex mixture f feelings maybe, sadness that this time is ending; gratitude fr what yu have received; curisity abut what might have changed in yur churches; apprehensin abut getting back int gear; excitement t return and share sme f the new energy, visin and ideas that the sabbatical has 7

8 helped yu discver. It s imprtant t acknwledge that mix f emtins and explre it with Gd in prayer. Successful re-integratin t the circuit calls fr sme pre-planning. While yu will be expected t hit the grund running, it s imprtant nt t be t ambitius. Dn t aim t d t much immediately, therwise yur new-fund energy and enthusiasm may sn evaprate! Recgnise that yu may feel a bit verwhelmed and give yurself time t adjust. Guard sme time fr things that have lit up yur sabbatical such as prayer, restfulness, and creativity and try t carry these frward int everyday ministry. Hpefully, yu and yur churches will be very happy t see each ther again. It s wrth acknwledging, hwever, that sme peple may be jealus that yu were given a sabbatical. Others may be resentful, because yu haven t been there when they especially needed yu. There will be lts f catching up t d. Nt least, yur churches will be interested t find ut what yu ve dne during yur sabbatical and hw this might impact yur ministry frm nw n. As yu apprach the end f the sabbatical, begin thinking abut what yu might say in yur first sermn back, first church cuncil, first newsletter article, first blg, r first talk abut yur sabbatical. Hw have yu been refreshed, renewed and re-equipped? Sme things may be t persnal t share, but in many ways this is the culminatin f yur sabbatical: the pprtunity t name and share its fruits. Hwever, the sabbatical is nt just abut yu. It has als been abut and fr yur churches. It will be gd t allw time fr yur cngregatins als t share their experience - What was different during yur sabbatical? What were the high pints and lw pints? What have they learned? Hw have they grwn? What d they specifically want t praise Gd fr? There is als, ptentially, anther chance t speak abut yur sabbatical. The agenda fr the presbyteral synd prvides scpe fr presbyters t reprt n their sabbatical study (SO 488 C (6)). That wuld be a gd pprtunity t present sme f the key fruits f yur sabbatical, t encurage and inspire ministerial clleagues (thugh, bear in mind that sme may have a while t wait till their wn sabbaticals!). When might cmpassinate leave be mre apprpriate? Ministers smetimes end up spending their sabbatical dealing with a substantial persnal pastral issue. In a cnnexinal survey, sme ministers described hw their sabbaticals had been vertaken by such things as: caring fr ill, aged r dying relatives; recvery frm pregnancy lss, illness, accident r burnut; r develping physical fitness prir t an peratin. It is significant that a number f these persnal pastral issues shuld have warranted a perid f cmpassinate leave, rather than sabbatical leave. We hpe yu wn t find yurself in this situatin. Hwever, if yu d, please apprach yur District Chair as sn as pssible. Sabbaticals fr ministers in these circumstances may, when apprpriate, be transmuted int perids f cmpassinate leave. It is imprtant that, fr yur and yur churches sake, yu benefit fully frm yur sabbatical. 8