SUSTAINABLE MODELS FOR SABBATH-MINDED MINISTRY

MARCH 2025-MARCH 2026

FAQS

WHO:  American Baptist pastors* in need of an imminent sabbatical and/or reasonable, quantifiable, Spirit-led “sabbath-minded” shifts in current ministry. 

WHAT:  We will support ten pastor-lay partner teams through gatherings and coaching for sabbath-minded ministry shifts.  We’ll experience theological reflection, collaborative learning and SMART Goal Planning within cohort meetings and in follow-up sessions with an assigned consultant. 

WHEN/WHERE: March  2025 – 2026. 

– “Sabbath Seminars” – Two-Day Virtual Gatherings (One in May, One in October). 

– Discernment & planning w/clergy participants  over 6-months between June 2025-December 2025, with licensed wellness practitioners in a bi-weekly or monthly support call during this period (frequency based on need).  

–In-person culminating retreat – Winter  2026

WHY: We recognize the toll of ministry undertaken without the nourishment of sabbath-minded routines is dire, and consequences ripple out to affect family, church, coworkers and community for mental health fragility and suffering. For these, we seek provision and sustainable models for lifestyles of mercy, justice and humility in order to prevent unnecessary suffering and to preserve the joys of prophetic ministry. In as much as lay leaders are crucial elements in a pastor’s wellbeing, we’re inviting a trusted lay leader to participate to be equipped with tools which will both educate the congregation and support the pastor in building a sabbath-minded ministry model. We’d like that lay leader to attend (2) virtual sessions with the clergy leader and facilitator for the work of being equipped to help build the model relevant for the given ministry context.

HOW: Apply through the simple application form at www.ministerscouncil.com, including reference requests. If invited to join the cohort, participants simply complete the Project Agreement Form.

COST:  Thanks to a Palmer Grant from the American Baptist Foundation, there is no financial fee; attendees will covenant their investment of time with the cohort.

REQUIREMENTS: Covenant of Agreement and full attendance.

*Ordained with recognition through ABC-USA or serving an ABC-USA congregation.

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