About half of all American workers do not take all their allotted paid time off—the reasons why are relatively consistent across socioeconomic and demographic lines.
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- Half (52%) feel they don’t need the vacation time.
- Half (49%) are worried they would fall behind at work.
- A little less than half (43%) say they would feel bad about giving their co-workers additional work.
What about pastors? Few pastors use all their vacation days. One-third of the pastors say they always take fewer vacation days than the church permits.
How much vacation does a pastor receive? In an informal poll, we found nearly half of all pastors have two weeks or less of paid time off. Many pastors do not receive much vacation time, and then they don’t even utilize it!
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- None to 1 week (21%)
- 2 weeks (28%)
- 3 weeks (14%)
- 4 weeks (25%)
- 5 or more weeks (12%)
Some denominations do a better job than others in codifying vacation policies, but the reality is that far too many pastors simply are not taking advantage of this time away.
The pattern among pastors mirrors the general workforce in America. They are not getting the downtime they need, and those who have it are not taking it. Healthy patterns of rest are necessary for longevity. The expectation of 24/7 availability adds even more stress on pastors.
What are some of the reasons why pastors do not use their vacation days? I recently asked a few pastors in our online community, Church Answers Central, and on social media. Many clear themes emerged.
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- Constant interruptions occur while on vacation, so it’s not worth the effort for shorter trips.
- Some pastors find it a challenge to coordinate with a spouse’s work schedule.
- A few pastors mentioned their churches are generous with vacation days, and they do not need all the days every year. This group was the minority, but it was good to hear from some who received what they needed.
- Co-vocational pastors must figure out how to be away from two job responsibilities.
- Some full-time pastors field complaints from their churches over vacation, so they simply skip them.
- Other pastors know the power vacuum caused by their absence could result in the wrong people trying to leverage power in the church (Yes, it can happen during a one-week vacation!).
- Missing a Sunday is too much of a hassle, and the energy spent finding fill-ins is more than what is gained through a short vacation.
- Extended vacations are not even a possibility for many pastors. Missing two Sundays in a row can be problematic.
Like many professionals, pastors often struggle to take full advantage of their vacation days. The challenges they face—from constant interruptions to the difficulty of finding coverage—highlight the unique pressures of pastoral ministry. Churches and pastors must prioritize creating realistic systems and supportive environments that encourage healthy rhythms of work and rest. When pastors take their well-deserved time off, they benefit personally and model the value of Sabbath rest to their congregations, fostering a healthier church community overall.
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