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Minneapolis
Area Synod
Sabbatical Policy Recommendations
The Minneapolis Area Synod
Sabbatical Policy Recommendations are intended to provide a
system and structure for extended study and time for renewal.
This time is designed to better equip rostered staff and lay
professional staff to serve their congregation’s future
mission and ministry. Sabbatical time shall be used for study
and learning, renewal and reflection, as well as wellness
issues.
Preparation
The sabbatical plan will be developed in consultation with
the congregation council through the appropriate personnel or
executive committees. The plan for sabbatical time will be
developed at least several months prior to the date of
implementation. That should allow for adequate time to meet the
conditions determined necessary for a successful transition
process to, and completion of the sabbatical. Duration of the
sabbatical term must be specified. Sabbatical time needs to be
distinguished from annual leave.
Elements of the
Sabbatical Plan
Each of the following elements needs to be reviewed and
evaluated for its relevancy to specific congregational
situations.
- Eligibility
A sabbatical
leave of three months may be granted to ¾ to full-time rostered
staff and lay professionals after five continuous years of
service at one ministry site. Support staff may also be granted
a leave of three weeks after four years of continuous service at
the same site.
Congregations with multiple staff shall identify additional
priorities for eligibility when two or more staff members have
similar service longevity.
- Goals
and Objectives
Goals and
objectives for the sabbatical, plus the potential benefits to
the individual and congregation, need to be discussed and
established early in the planning process.
- Duration
of the Sabbatical
Up to three
consecutive months of sabbatical leave may be granted after five
years of continuous service in the congregation. The length of
sabbatical leave needs to be discussed and stated in the plan,
including beginning and ending dates.
- Compensation
and Replacement
During the
sabbatical, the congregation is expected to provide full salary
and benefits to the individual. Car allowance may be a
negotiated item. Accrued continuing education funds may be used
by the individual for a sabbatical.
The congregation
will need to make arrangements for ministry during the
sabbatical period. This can range from full-time replacement to
supply preaching. A sabbatical leave is also an excellent
opportunity for lay leadership to take on some aspects of
replacement ministry.
In terms of
meeting the above costs, it would be wise for both the
congregation and the individual to budget for these several
years in advance, if possible.
- Return
A sabbatical
leave is intended to benefit both the congregation and the
individual. Therefore, upon return, at least one year of
additional service is expected following a three month
sabbatical, and at least six months of service following
sabbaticals of two months or less.
A written,
personal report will be submitted to the Congregation Council
within 90 days upon completion of a sabbatical. The report will
include, among other items, material on (a) the value of the
sabbatical for personal and professional growth, and (b) the
potential impact on the individual’s service to the
congregation.
An
Excellent Resource
Sabbatical Planning for Clergy and
Congregations, by Richard Bullock, is available from the Alban
Institute for $8.25. Individuals planning, or just beginning to
dream about a sabbatical, and the Congregation Councils with
which they work, will benefit greatly from the use of this
remarkable planning booklet.
Submitted by the Sabbatical Task Force
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