Sabbatical: A Time of Rest & Renewal
What Is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical leave is an extended period of time (normally three months) for study, spiritual growth, refreshment and renewal for the purpose of enrichment for continued service in the same ministry setting.
The distinct benefits of a sabbatical are twofold:
The mission of the congregation benefits from the rostered person who returns to ministry with new experiences and abilities, as well as being refreshed and renewed.
The rostered person benefits from the personal and spiritual growth and renewal that comes from participation in an intentionally structured time away. A sabbatical leave is a time to be refreshed in body, mind, and spirit and to deepen one’s relationship with God.
In November 2023, the Faith Lutheran Council granted Pastor Eric Carlson a sabbatical effective May 19 – August 17, 2025. Faith Lutheran has a sabbatical policy that is part of the Employee Handbook:
Rostered Ministers are eligible to apply for an extended educational leave (sabbatical) of three (3) months after the completion of six years of service. Another pastor must be available to serve in the absence of the pastor taking sabbatical leave. The Rostered Minister’s regular continuing education leave shall not be taken during the sabbatical year. A sabbatical shall not be contiguous with PTO time. Participants agree to serve the congregation for at least one year beyond date of return from the leave.
The Rostered Minister will present a request for an extended educational leave to the Church Council at least six months prior to the inception of a leave. A request for an extended educational leave shall include the goal of the extended study leave, a description of the proposed program of study, amount of time requested, and dates of the extended study leave.
Any extended education or sabbatical hours and funds not used at the time of an employee’s termination, for any reason, shall be forfeited. Rostered Ministers will receive their normal salary and benefits during the extended educational leave/sabbatical. Rostered Minister’s shall submit a written report of the sabbatical/extended educational leave to the Church Council and the congregation at large within sixty (60) days of return from educational leave.
— The Faith Lutheran Church Employee Handbook
A Note from Pastor Eric Carlson
I am deeply grateful to be granted a sabbatical this summer. While on sabbatical, I will be celebrating my 32nd Anniversary of Ordination. I feel this is a good time to step back, renew, nourish relationships and be energized for the future.
Part of my study time will be in the area of Values Driven Leadership, something that I have had a desire to explore more fully. I will also be focusing on entering the last quarter of my full-time professional ministry and my areas of responsibility at Faith Lutheran. This will include assigned reading, working with a Clergy Coach and engage in intentional conversations with faith mentors who have shaped my pastoral journey. I will be meeting with leaders who serve in similar roles and contexts across the country and learn their best practices in preaching, teaching, vision-casting, member-engagement and administrative leadership. Other travel/study plans are still in the planning phase. Our family will also be celebrating the marriage of our son, Ben, and his fiancé, Lydia in July.
I look forward to sharing my experiences with the congregation upon my return.
Peace,
Pastor Eric
From Ann Drummond, Faith Lutheran Council President
The benefits Pastor Eric will receive by stepping away from his daily duties are numerous. In what will be six years he has served as pastor, he has assisted navigating the congregation through the pandemic with great faithfulness and strength. We have had several resignations from staff members for which Pastor Eric has facilitated these transitions as Head of Staff with grace and patience. We are experiencing healthy structural changes and most recently a process to discern our purpose and core values as a congregation. This time of renewal will allow him to breathe, nourish relationships with faith mentors and his family, and discover ways to lead with passion and enthusiasm. We pray he will rest, grow in new ways, and return with a renewed sense of purpose as we continue to participate in God’s mission into the future.
Our staff is well-prepared to handle pastoral responsibilities in Pastor Eric's absence, with clear lines of communication and decision-making established. The timing allows for natural breaks in what is otherwise a full and demanding ministry schedule. We have designated individuals to oversee various aspects of congregational life, ensuring continuity and stability during this time of transition.
Pastor Megan will be responsible for all decisions of a pastoral nature (baptisms, weddings, funerals, visitors, and pastoral care concerns). We will plan on guest preachers throughout the sabbatical to support Pastor Megan. We have several retired clergy who are members of the congregation who will be assisting with other pastoral care concerns as needed.
The Director of Administration and Communications, Erik Ullestad, will assume other day-to-day Head of Staff responsibilities, such as workloads, approval of time off and credit card approvals. The Director of Business and Finance, Kathy Evans, will assume all payroll responsibilities such as the approval of timecards. The officers of the Church Council will also be on hand to make decisions in cooperation with Pastor Megan, Erik Ullestad and Kathy Evans. We do not intend to be in contact with Pastor Eric during his time of renewal and ask that congregation members respect his time away, as well.
The congregation will welcome Pastor Eric back from his renewal time away on Monday, August 17, 2025.