Sabbatical FAQs

Trinity Staff | April 25, 2023

This last Sunday, April 23, we announced to the congregation that Pastor Jonathan has been approved to take a sabbatical this summer during the months of June, July, and August. This has been part of the planning for the Trinity leadership team since before launching Trinity back in 2019. 

Our Session has been working to establish a proactive sabbatical policy for our pastoral and executive staff. We believe that both pastors and congregations benefit from sabbaticals and the extended time of soul-rest and seeking God this offers to the leaders of churches.

We're very excited for the Kerhoulas family to receive their first sabbatical in nearly 17 years of full-time pastoral ministry. And we look forward to what God has in store for us all over the next few months. Below you will find a list of FAQ's related to Pastor Jonathan's upcoming sabbatical. We will continue to inform and prepare you as June 1 approaches. But for now, please begin to pray for the Kerhoulas family, that the time that's been set aside for rest and seeking the Lord would be filled with joy, laughter, and the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.

FAQs on Jonathan’s Upcoming Sabbatical

• What is a pastoral sabbatical?

  A pastoral sabbatical is ideally quite different from a traditional academic or a business sabbatical. It is about spirit and soul being renewed, refreshed, and redirected. Pastor Eugene Peterson writes, “The original intent of Sabbath is a time to be silent and listen to God, not attend lectures; a time to be in solitude and to be with God, not “interact” with fatigued peers. If help is to be given to the pastor in midcourse, it is not going to come by infusion of intellect, but by the renewal of the spirit.”

• Why take a sabbatical?

  Today, the role of pastor is under pressure from many sides, probably more than at any other time in history. The biblical calling to serve as a pastor brings with it a plethora of demands and expectations that inadvertently have an effect on both the leader and his family. Sabbaticals offer pastors a change of pace, a chance to slow their activity level, even a complete rest long enough to be spiritually strengthened and refreshed. When churches establish healthy rhythms of proactive rest for their ministers, the entire congregation benefits. Pastor Jonathan has been working with the Trinity leadership team since launching Trinity in 2019 on preparing for this specific sabbatical. It was originally arranged to take place in the summer of 2022 but the leadership team thought it was wiser to wait one more year, until the summer of 2023.

• Does the bible talk about the importance of sabbaticals?

  The Bible addresses the topics of sabbath (Exodus 20:8, Leviticus 20:3), sabbath years (Leviticus 25:1-7), and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-55). Jesus also addressed the topic of Sabbath in various places including Mark 2:27 and Luke 6:5. An extended concept of sabbaticals gives special place to creating prolonged quiet times, reflective moments, along with new vision and passion for life in Jesus. A sabbatical provides substantial time in which God is allowed to speak into our deepest spiritual recesses, and bring refreshment, renewal, and hope. It is based on the concept that humans need regular space set aside every week (1 day in 7) for nothing but rest and recovery.

• How long do sabbaticals last?

  Trinity has an established sabbatical policy stating that ministers are entitled to 3 months of paid sabbatical leave after completing at least 7 years of ministry within the church. Pastors can reapply for another sabbatical every 7 years. (Pastor Jonathan has worked a combined 9 years between our mother church, Redeemer SD, and Trinity, without a sabbatical.)

• What does a pastor generally do on Sabbatical?

  A pastoral sabbatical is a time of extended leave governed by a few specific objectives. The big three objectives are planned rest, meaningful activities, and the pursuit of God. Sabbaticals, in general, provide a break from normal ministry rhythms.

• What does leadership at Trinity look like while the lead pastor is away?

  Trinity has an incredible staff of very gifted and capable leaders. Staff oversight will be supervised by Executive Director, Jeff Bruecker while care and community efforts will be shared between the Trinity staff and elders.

• What about preaching on Sundays?

  Trinity will be taught on Sundays by members of the Trinity staff as well as a few friends and guest speakers. These preachers will, together, lead us through a summer series entitled “Engaging with Jesus.”

• Who do I connect with if I need pastoral care during the summer months?

  With specific pastoral needs, you are encouraged to contact any of the Trinity staff members. For emergencies you are encouraged to contact Executive Director, Jeff Bruecker. Our elders are also available to meet with you for prayer, conversation, or any other spiritual needs that arise. You can find their information here.

• When will Pastor Jonathan be away?

  Jonathan’s sabbatical is set to take place from June 1 – August 31 (the three months of June, July, and August.) They intend to be back east in North Carolina with extended family for the first 2/3 of the sabbatical.

• Can I reach out to Jonathan and the family during Sabbatical?

  Jonathan will be unplugged and disconnected from all ministry responsibilities during Sabbatical. He will not be checking email – so all personal questions or requests should be sent to jeff@trinitysd.org.