Itasca, IL – Wheat Ridge Ministries recently approved 15 grants totaling $73,272 to support sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support and encourage the health and wellness of church leaders. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries.
“Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to offer this pilot program,” said Brian Becker, vice president of ministry programs at Wheat Ridge Ministries. “The demands of full-time professional ministry can be demanding and stressful. It’s our prayer that those receiving sabbatical grants will return rested, rejuvenated and ready to re-engage in their ministry. It’s also our hope that during the sabbatical experience the congregation will engage in serious reflection and planning about how to strengthen their ministry. We believe that this process is valuable for both the person taking the sabbatical and the congregation.”
The grants will be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience. The grants may not be used for general congregation operating expenses, purchase of equipment or any other expenses that are unrelated to the sabbatical plan.
In addition to the sabbatical grants, Wheat Ridge is also pleased to provide many other valuable resources for sabbatical rest and renewal through its Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center on its website. The Center is coordinated by the Rev. Timothy Fangmeier (tim@giftedpeople.org), Wheat Ridge Staff Associate, Davidson, North Carolina.
