This may seem like a silly topic for some; doesn’t everyone take vacation? Well, actually, I’ve heard many church-goers talk about the unavailability of pastors while they are on vacation, that they take too many days off, or that their scheduled vacation isn’t working for some members of the congregation, you get the idea.
Pastors are human, they run out of gas, get bogged down with having to heed to others’ needs or wants, sometimes running dry on their own spiritual and emotional care. These are just some of the reasons that pastors need to take vacation - the vacation that the congregation or presbytery has agreed that they should have. It’s important to remember that while your pastor is on vacation, she or he is not necessarily going to be at their desk or behind their phone. Even if they are staying in town and taking a relaxed vacation at home, they should be allowed to distance themselves from their job just as others wish to be when they are on vacation.
I can only speak from my own tradition, one in which I have embraced. In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the “Terms of Call” are worked out between a congregation and pastor in which they have invited to serve their congregation. Just like other jobs, this can be worked out through the acceptance of the offer, or by counter-offering.
I know some of you are thinking, but what about an emergency? What about a death in the congregation? These can be worked out with the Elders or Deacons, someone who can be the contact person while the pastor is on vacation, who is aware of an already agreed upon procedure for the judgement of emergencies.
We all need time set apart to rejuvenate our minds, our spirits, and to rest. It is my hope that pastors are given that chance as well.
-Emily M.
Amen, sister.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm on vacation and out of the area for more than two or three days, I arrange with a nearby pastor to "cover" for me in case of emergencies in the congregation. I publish the back-up pastor's contact information in the bulletin, and make sure the clerk of session has that information.
Sometimes, there have still been problems, but mostly it works well. And usually, there's no need to call on my "cover" pastor at all!
Earl Arnold
East Syracuse, NY
Amen, amen, amen! We just got back from sunny Mexico, and boy are we refreshed! (aside from being tired from travel and a little behind) One of the best gifts a congregation and its leadership can give is the gift of graceful vacation. But it isn't necessarily easy for them to do, or for us to feel (permission to be gone).
ReplyDeleteI know of some ministers who usually do NOT take their vacation time, or at least not all of it, and that is a real disservice to them, to the church, and to their successors! The church needs to be reminded that they are still church even when the minister is gone, just as much as the minister needs the time to refresh and recharge. I could go on, but I won't. :-)