Pastor Sabbatical Grant

We are partnering with eligible churches to provide rest and renewal for pastoral leaders. The grant award maximum is $2,000 ($2,000 for one-month sabbatical or $1,000 for two-week sabbatical).

Pastors experienced tremendous pressure during the pandemic and have shepherded God’s people faithfully.

A sabbatical provides rest and refreshment for their spirit and time for them to develop greater intimacy with God so that they can continue leading the church well.

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Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment and support from Texas Baptists, we are partnering with churches to help provide rest and renewal for pastoral leaders. The Pastor Sabbatical Grant Program makes providing a sabbatical financially possible and impactful for both the church and the pastor.

Pastor Sabbatical Grant Details

  • Grant award maximum is $2,000
    ($2,000 for one-month sabbatical or $1,000 for two-week sabbatical)
  • A minimum of 2 weeks sabbatical is required - the sabbatical period must be held in consecutive weeks (2 or 4 weeks)
  • Suggested grant fund utilization: ½ funds for pulpit supply, ½ funds for pastor’s sabbatical expenses
  • Pulpit supply: Texas Baptists preference/priority, but not required
  • Grant funds will be sent via ACH or by check directly to the church within 60 days prior to the sabbatical period
  • The grant funds must be used within one year
  • Texas Baptists will provide (5) free pastoral counseling sessions for the pastor (if desired)

Eligibility Criteria & Requirements

  • The church must be affiliated with Texas Baptists.
  • The grant application must be on behalf of the senior pastor only.

  • To receive a one-month sabbatical ($2,000 grant), the church must have given a minimum of $1,200/year (same as retirement match) to the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program in 2022. For a two-week sabbatical ($1,000 grant), the church must have given a minimum of $500 to the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program in 2022.

  • For applications to be considered, the church must submit a 500-850 word essay describing how a pastor sabbatical will benefit the pastor and the church.
  • A church lay leader must a) watch the pre-recorded “Giving Your Money Purpose” online seminar and complete and submit a worksheet, b) Read “Pastors Are People Too: What They Won't Tell You but You Need to Know” by Jimmy Dodd and write and submit a one-page report, or c) Review A Shift Toward Total Compensation: A Pastor's Primer on the Guidestone website and write and submit a one-page report.
  • The pastor must submit a one-page (double-spaced) report after the sabbatical describing the impact of their sabbatical experience.
  • Pastors may receive only (1) Sabbatical Grant. Previous recipients are ineligible.

Grant Recipient Selection

A grant committee will review grant applications and select grantees based on eligibility criteria and essay responses. Churches will be notified of grant approval/denial within two weeks of application submission.

Contact

Dowell Loftis
Director, Center for Ministerial Health

(214) 828-5275
dowell.loftis[at]txb.org