Vanessa is about to take a 3 month Sabbatical so I wanted to write down a few thoughts on – what is a Sabbatical, why would someone take one and what does a Sabbatical look like for a CCC staff member? I also wanted to give Vanessa a chance to share some of her desires for her Sabbatical so we can pray for her as she takes hers.
Sustainable Sacrifice
Sacrifice is part and parcel of following Christ – we must deny ourselves, take our cross and follow him (Mark 8:34). The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul (following in the footsteps of Jesus) was one full of personal costs as he ‘poured out his life’ for others (Philippians 2:17-18). He died so others could live (2 Corinthians 4:7-12). So sacrifice is part and parcel of being a Christian and carrying the burden to share the gospel with others – whether paid by a church, or doing that alongside a ‘normal’ job – we’re all ‘called to this ministry’.
But Paul would also tell Timothy – there is grace and strength from Christ Jesus for all this sacrifice (2 Timothy 2:1-7) and Paul himself would testify about this grace at work in his life (Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:10 and Colossians 1:29) helping him work hard. So whatever sacrifice we make for Jesus is enabled by his grace and his Spirit working in us. So our sacrifice should be sustainable and not lead to burnout.
Sadly it’s all too common to hear about gospel workers burning out under the emotional, pastoral and administrative weight of church ministry. We want to do all we can to avoid this and ensure we’re ‘watching over ourselves’ and the flock God has given us (Acts 20:28). Part of the way we have done this over the years is to create a simple tool we call ‘the self-leadership dials’ – which is like ‘a personal NCT’ on spiritual, physical, emotional and relational health. We have used this (fairly) regularly as a staff team and in other leadership contexts. Books that have helped informed the tool are;
- Zeal without burnout by Christopher Ash
- Reset – living a grace paced life in a burnout culture by David Murray (And Refresh by Shona Murray)
- A Dangerous Calling & Lead by Paul Tripp
All excellent resources that I’d recommend.
Sabbath Rhythms – working from a position of rest
There is much wisdom looking at the Old Testament patterns of rhythms – where there was not just a Sabbath day every week, but Sabbath rhythms and festivals built into each year, every 3 years, every 7 years and every 7*7 years (the 50th year was a year of Jubilee – a year of freedom!). So alongside the regular weekly and monthly times of rest and renewal, there are moments (every 7 years!) for deeper rest and renewal. These Sabbath rhythms were all built into creation (and therefore our DNA!) where we learn that God rested on the 7th day and he ‘worked from a position of rest’ rather ‘until he needed to rest’. And he made us in his image – he made us enter and enjoy his rest, the rest of satisfaction in what he has done and what he evaluates as ‘good’.
These Sabbath principles and rhythms are all fulfilled in Jesus the one who would buy our freedom and rest as he ‘finished the work’ (John 4:34, 7:4 & 19:30) for us and won satisfaction for our sins on the cross. He now tells us to come to him ‘all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30) – he both gives us rest for our souls from the ‘work beneath the work’ (the work of self-justification) and teaches us how to live under his light yoke (he gives us wisdom and rhythms and a self-understanding) as we await our final rest in the new creation (Revelation 7:17 & 14:13).
CCC Policy for staff members (and non-paid leaders too!)
All this means that we have a policy that staff take a sabbatical every 7 years (not including internship and apprenticeship years) and these Sabbaticals are for 3 months. It’s also something we would encourage non-paid leaders in CCC to consider – to step back from different church roles for a prolonged season to be refreshed and renewed in Jesus, so that they can continue to give for the long-term with joy and energy.
Sabbaticals help us be renewed, reinvigorated and where needed to build ‘new wells’ for ongoing, sustainable sacrifice. And they remind us that whilst we rest from our work our great God never does (Psalm 121) – so the work is not dependent on our work but on his sustaining power (Psalm 127:1-2). We want everyone in CCC to be ‘working from a position of rest’ as the norm, rather than working from a position of emptiness and tiredness.
Sabbatical Purposes
Typically sabbaticals can be used for 3 reasons (or a mix of the 3)
- Rest and recuperation – the emphasis of this article
- Study
- Project – go and learn from another church/ministry
We will discern with the person what they need/want, and even if the aim is #2 or #3, as this article helpful states, #1 must be primary and foundational.
I (Steve) took a 6 week sabbatical back in 2019 so will be due one in 2026. Ola took one last year (2025) and Maffy will all be due one in the coming year(s) – which we’ll align appropriately around the northside church plant. Here were my personal aims for my 2019 Sabbatical when I was working bivocationally in HubSpot and doing the church work ‘on the side.’
Vanessa’s Sabbatical
I asked Vanessa to jot down some of her desires and hopes behind her Sabbatical and asked her to tell us how we (the church family) can support her. Here is what she said
“As I step into this sabbatical of rest, I hope to create space for God to refresh and reorient my heart. This sabbatical is an intentional break – a time for solitude, reflection, and deep renewal. It’s a time not only to rest but to consider what God is doing in me, how he wants to change me, and prayerfully consider what God has for the next chapter of my life.
This sabbatical is an intentional break – a time for solitude, reflection, and deep renewal. It’s a time not only to rest but to consider what God is doing in me, how He wants to change me, and prayerfully reflect on the next chapter of my life. More than just physical rest, this will be a sacred space for personal renewal – a time to bring my brokenness before God, confess where I need His transformation, and ask Him to shape me into who He is calling me to be. I desire to step into deeper self-awareness, to surrender my struggles, and to trust God for healing in areas I may not even yet see.
After finishing my time with the team in Zambia and extending my time there, I’ll step away to experience a much-needed season of rest and renewal. While I haven’t yet had the chance to experience a sabbatical, I’ve already been imagining how it will be a powerful moment of healing for me. I know that when I go on my sabbatical, God will call me away for a deeper season of restoration – an invitation to let go, to be refined, and to embrace the work He is doing within me. I’ll be reminded that God’s grace is sufficient and that He truly makes all things new.
Here are my main six titles of my hopes and desires for this season:
- Rest and renewal
- Reorienting my hopes and desires
- Faith to hit pause in a world that never stops
- Deep fellowship with God and others
- Missing CCC Central as a good thing
- Receiving refreshment from God
This sabbatical is a time for deep rest, renewal, and spiritual refreshment. It is an opportunity to step away from life’s demands and find peace in God’s presence. The focus is on reorienting hopes and desires, reflecting on the past, and discerning God’s direction for the next seven years.
In a world that prioritises busyness, this time is about embracing the discipline of pausing – letting go of control and rediscovering the value of simply being rather than constantly doing. It is also a chance to deepen fellowship with God and others, engaging in meaningful relationships and unhurried spiritual practices.
Stepping away from CCC Central may be challenging and I will dearly miss the love and connection to the community. I hope to lean into that longing as a reminder of the beauty of connection.Just like fasting from food can lead to a deeper appreciation and understanding of what we need, I believe fasting from CCC central in this season will allow me to return with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. Ultimately, this sabbatical is about receiving God’s refreshment – engaging in soul-nourishing activities without the pressure of productivity – so that the next season of life and ministry can be approached with renewed energy, clarity, and joy.
As this sabbatical unfolds, it is a time to rest in the truth of Romans 8:14-15 – to embrace the freedom of being a child of God, not defined by striving, fear, or productivity, but by the deep love and presence of the Father. This season is not about proving worth but about remembering that identity is rooted in sonship, in being led by the Spirit, and in calling out, “Abba, Father.”
At the same time, 2 Timothy 4:5 offers a reminder that this time of renewal is not an end in itself but a preparation for what is to come. The call to ministry remains – to stay steady, endure, and faithfully serve when the season of rest transitions back into action. But with renewed strength, clearer vision, and deeper trust in God, there is confidence to move forward – not in exhaustion, but in the peace and power of His Spirit.
In this pause, there is space to be both still and expectant – to step away, listen, and be filled – so that when the time comes to return, it will be with greater joy, deeper purpose, and a heart fully anchored in the Father’s love.
Personal Prayer Points
- Prayer for rest and renewal
Lord, help me embrace this sabbatical as a sacred time of rest. May I find true refreshment in Your presence – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – knowing that my worth is not in my productivity but in being Your beloved child. May you change me, soften me and make me more like Jesus through taking a step-back. - Prayer for clarity and direction
Father, as I reflect on the past and seek Your will for the future, guide my heart and mind. Help me discern what the next season of my life and ministry should look like, and shape my desires according to Your purpose. - Prayer for faith to pause
Lord, in a world that values constant movement, teach me to trust You in the pause. Give me the faith to let go of control, rest in Your sovereignty, and rediscover the beauty of simply being rather than always doing. - Prayer for deeper intimacy with God
Father, draw me closer to You during this time. Let my prayers, worship, and time in scripture be unhurried and full of Your presence. Help me to hear Your voice more clearly and experience Your love more deeply. - Prayer for meaningful relationships
Lord, as I step away from busyness, help me be fully present with those I love. May this season be filled with rich, life-giving fellowship – with You and with others. - Prayer for missing CCC Central
Father, help me embrace this season of fasting from church as a way to reset my heart. May I return with renewed passion,, and a healthy rhythm of serving You with joy. - Prayer for spiritual refreshment
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh. Let this time of rest be a time of deep renewal, where I receive Your peace, strength, and joy. May I return from this sabbatical with a heart that overflows with love and a spirit ready to follow wherever You lead.”