Today's question comes from a pastor who has been in ministry for more than 35 years,

and he's currently working on a thesis project focusing on the care of pastors,

and how the benefits from a sabbatical leave could help them remain in ministry.

So Paul, what are your thoughts on pastors taking sabbaticals? How long should a sabbatical be? How frequently should

sabbatical Eve be offered? And then did you ever take a sabbatical? What did you do during it? And how did it refresh you and your family?

So if you can speak not only to pastors, but also to churches and elders as they consider offering

sabbaticals to their pastors.

Well, as I often do, I want to frame this question and my answer with the patches that

speaks maybe more directly than we would think to this topic.

It's 1st Timothy 5, 17, and 18.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of double honor,

especially those who work, whose work is preaching and teaching.

For scripture says, do not muzzle an ox while ex-examination. those whose work is preaching and teaching.

For scripture says, do not muzzle an ox while he's treading out the grain, and the worker deserves his wages.

Now this is written by Paul to Timothy on, and Paul's giving him counsel on how the church is to be

organized, you could entitle First and Second Timothy order in the church, because that's

what it's about.

And his vice to Timothy is both direct and practical.

And it's wonderful that this practical material has been recorded and preserved for us by

our Lord.

These verses that I read address how pastors, the pastors of Christ's church, should be viewed and treated.

I love the illustration, don't muzzle the ox that treads the corn.

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