Elders and Self Care: The Importance of Sabbaticals for Elders

by David Eller

 

Most of us raised in our culture that places such a high value on productivity view the idea of taking a sabbatical as counter intuitive. We accept the concept for professors and pastors, but not elders. A sabbatical is purposefully setting aside our responsibility for a period of time. Is that even okay?

Elders carry a deep, heavy, spiritual and emotional load. They are called to be shepherds, caregivers, vision-holders, and intercessors. Even the most faithful grow weary. Sabbaticals are not a sign of weakness or retreat. They are biblical, restorative, and necessary.

God rested on the seventh day of creation and commanded his followers to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest. Beyond that every seventh year was the Shmita year when the land was to be left fallow, and debts were to be forgiven (Leviticus 25). While not called a sabbath, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus withdrew for periods of prayer and reflection, showing the need for rest and spiritual renewal (1 Kings 19, Mark 6:46).

A key challenge to unending leadership is that we lose our energy and openness to change over time. The weariness that accumulates in long-term ministry is less about tired bodies and more about tired hearts. Elders often hold the tension of tradition and transition, carrying both the history of our church and the uncertainty of its future. 

Energy wanes. Openness to innovative ideas or new leaders may shrink. This is not out of stubbornness, but because change feels exhausting when a person is always in charge. Sabbaticals allow long serving elders to step away from responsibility and into a time of renewal. Allowing the Spirit to speak to us afresh and re-engage from a place of hope rather than habit.

It is a great leadership temptation to believe that the work of the Kingdom hinges on our presence. But scripture is clear that God is the one who builds, sustains, and renews. Taking a sabbatical is a spiritual act of humility and trust. It says the church belongs to God, not me and the Spirit is at work, even when I am not.

Stepping aside also allows others to know what they can do without us. If we never take a break no one else has a chance to step forward. Elders that step aside make space for new leaders to emerge, for their gifts to be discovered, and the church to grow in new ways. It is modeling a church that does not revolve around a single person, but around Christ and the congregation.

A sabbatical should be done with a plan for rest and renewal. Purposefully reallocating the time saved from your elder duties to activities that restore you. True rest is achieved through a deepening connection with Jesus. Each elder should prayerfully consider the activities that provide healing, perspective, and depth of relationship with Jesus. Specifically strive to create interactions with the Father that renew the wonder of being God’s child.

This is not stepping down, it is stepping back into alignment with Jesus. It is an act of stewardship of the church. Many of our churches promote and praise ceaseless doing; an elder who chooses rest is both prophetic and profoundly faithful. So let the sabbatical be seen not as a pause from the ministry, but a continuation of it. Knowing that in Christ, even rest is holy. 

About the Author

David Eller is a follower of Jesus. Living in many different places he has served as an elder in 3 churches. He is an experienced leader with over 40 years in business and nonprofit management. After 4 years in Kenya with World Concern as a missionary he served as the President for 7 years. Since 2019, he has been the Executive Director of Lahai Health. Bringing medical, dental and counseling care to those in need with the love of Jesus.