Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills, California

Approved and effective March 1, 2001

 

Reason and Purpose for Sabbaticals

The pastoral sabbatical is intended to provide pastoral staff who have served for an extended period at our church with a gift of time away from normal responsibilities and locations to pursue a plan of personal renewal and growth that combines study, travel, relaxation, education and research. The sabbatical is not just a reward for longevity of service and commitment. More importantly, it is an opportunity for those who have given consistently of their teaching and life to refill their own hearts and resources in order that they might continue in effective service to the Lord in this congregation.

Eligibility

The sabbatical would be made available to all full-time pastoral staff, i.e., senior pastor, senior associate pastor, associate pastors or assistant pastors. Eligibility would begin after seven completed years of full-time service and would be limited to those who anticipate at least three additional years of service after their sabbatical. If a staff member leaves our staff before taking the sabbatical, there would be no compensation for that unused sabbatical.

Length of Sabbatical

The maximum length of a sabbatical plus vacation would be 16 contiguous weeks away from the pastor’s normal duties. Time off for a sabbatical would accrue according to the following schedule. After seven complete years of full-time employment, a pastoral staff member would accumulate one week for each year of completed service, including one week for each of the first seven years. For instance, a staff member would be eligible for a 10 week sabbatical after 10 years. In most cases, the full amount accumulated would need to be taken at one time and may be added to normal vacation weeks if desired. The final granting of a sabbatical would come from the Elder board at the request of the pastoral staff and with the approval of the senior pastor.

After taking a sabbatical, a staff member would again begin to accumulate sabbatical time according to the schedule outlined above, but that time would become usable only after seven more years of full time service.

Priority of Sabbatical

Only one sabbatical per calendar year is available based on eligibility, seniority and scheduling. In other words, those with the most years of full-time service would be eligible first. However, staff members may elect to let others take their places and be put next in line themselves if family demands and scheduling prompt them to do so. The impact of each staff member’s absence in the context of overall church needs will have a strong influence on scheduling of Sabbaticals.

Accountability for Sabatical Plan

A proposal for a sabbatical must reflect the purpose stated above and must be arranged in advance with the approval of the senior pastor and the Elder Board. This must be done at least nine months prior to the desired sabbatical dates, with the exception of the first year of implementation in 2001.

Funding the Sabbatical

In addition to regular salary and benefits, the staff member may apply for additional funds for tuition, travel, etc., as these funds apply to the purpose of the sabbatical. These funds would require approval by the Elder Board.