Sabbatical

Beginning August 1, 2013, I will begin a three month Sabbatical. If not the first, I am among the first clergy at St. Peter's to take a Sabbatical, and so this news may come as a surprise to some. So let's talk about what a Sabbatical is and is not and why I a priest takes a Sabbatical.

What is a Sabbatical?
Well, first let me say what a Sabbatical is not. A Sabbatical is NOT a vacation. During a vacation a person break from their work and labor routines in order to relax. During a Sabbatical, a person changes the nature of their work and routine for the purpose of renewal and development. The idea dates back to the Old Testament, when God called the whole Israelite people to observe a Sabbatical Year once every seven years. (Exodus 21:2-6, Exodus 23:10-11, Leviticus 25:1-7,18-22, and Deuteronomy 15:1-11,12-18) The purpose of the Biblical Sabbatical was the gift of freedom by dependence upon God for the renewal of all the people and the sustaining of their good and righteous community. 

Why do clergy get Sabbaticals? 
As the nature of society changed after World War II, so did the nature of priestly ministry. Toward the end of the century, surveys and studies began reporting that rates of burnout, divorce, depression, obesity, cholesterol, and stress, were higher among clergy than the national average. As congregations began experiencing more and more decline, more and more clergy found their own ministerial lives collapsing as well - either my dysfunction (i.e. 'conduct unbecoming') or mental and emotional fatigue (burn out). In short, the Church (clergy, laity, seminaries) would invest a decade or more of formation and thousands of dollars into a person who might then leave the ministry for good after just a few years. It was clear this was not a good situation. 

As a result a number of institutions and denominations, including the Episcopal Church, began investing heavily in studies, training, and practices that bolstered clergy health. A more robust discernment process for those seeking to become clergy was put into place. Internships during seminary became a norm. Bishops and seminaries began programmatic emphases on self-care and clergy care providing or requiring spiritual direction, regular retreats, preemptive therapy or counseling, and education in psychological theories about personality types and group behavior. And Sabbaticals were added to the list. 

Thus, in the Diocese of Olympia, all clergy and diocesan staff employment agreements have a mandated stipulation for a Sabbatical of three to six months. The current agreement between St. Peter's and it's Rector is dated 2008 and stipulates one to three months. So I've split the difference and will be on Sabbatical for three months. 

What does that mean for the parish and for the Rector? 
During my Sabbatical we will have a supply priest or priests who will celebrate the liturgy. Provisions will also be made for pastoral care. Classes and programs such as Bible Study, Coffee Connections, and Theology Pub will be turned over to lay leadership. The Vestry will meet as usual, with the Sr Warden and two Jr. co-Wardens taking the lead in business administration, congregational leadership, and financial oversight. The Rector will be essentially unavailable, and I don't mean this in a rude way. Again, the purpose is so that with renewed energy and focus, the parish will experience their Rector as MORE available upon his return.

What will the Rector be doing on Sabbatical?

Someone has described the Sabbatical as "having the freedom and time to chase your passion." That's what I will be doing. My subject will be the experience of community in the Church. I will be looking at several different experiences of vital community (i.e. living, worshiping, working, and ministering together) in the Church. Among some of these expressions are the Emerging Church, monastic communities, the Anabaptist tradition (e.g. Mennonites), and taking some breaks from community for reading and retreat. I long for a balanced life of family, work, community, worship, study, and mission that I believe Jesus describes as the Kingdom of Heaven. I see the blueprints for that Kingdom life in the Old Testament, for instance where it talks about Sabbatical for the People of God, in Jesus' teachings, and in the Benedictine spirituality (i.e. balance in all things) that is an undercurrent in our Book of Common Prayer. I'm going on a journey in search of that vision of life in the Church. And I promise, when I get back, I'll let you know what I've found. 

In Christ,
Fr. James+