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Abbey Walker's avatar

Boundary & Behavior: We will respect and allow the pastor/leadership to rest and reenergize by giving them time away where they can disconnect completely.

Intentions & Reasoning: Healthy, well-rounded pastors and sermons come from life experiences. If we are constantly tied to our ministries, we cannot rest, clear our heads and take in God around us—however God may choose to show up.

Variables & Contexts: Deaths inevitably happen while pastors are away. Involving a representative from the presbytery to be a point of contact for pastoral needs while the pastor is away gives the pastor the ability to be contacted/involved as needed but still have the needed break.

Adjustments & Flexibilities: Have the pastor appoint a trusted point-person before leaving, or establish a care committee for the pastor’s well-being. This committee would advocate on behalf of the pastor for needed rest, are a first line of defense against potential grumblings about the pastor being out, and can help facilitate normal happenings while the pastor is out. Some might call these people “elders.” :)

Accountability & Understandings: We will remind ourselves of agreed upon practices and will revisit annually to make sure the pastor is able to rest without constraint or worry about the church’s ability to function while they are out.

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Vhc's avatar

I like the outline, but... as one who's on that dreaded committee that disciplines boundary-breakers, I hope there will be time to offer real-time examples of how we get into messes, and the inevitability of destroying lives when that happens. Yes, a lot of the time "stuff" happens becase we've not taken good enough care of ourselves, and the wellness aspects of your training are important, but so is explaining the consequences in ways people can get. Because the very best among us can be totally clueless when temptation shows up.

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