By Dale Sellers

How can a small-church pastor take a real vacation without the church falling apart?

If you’re leading a small church, you already know the tension: you need rest, but you also feel responsible for everything from pastoral care to building maintenance.

I faced this same dilemma as a new small-church pastor with a young family. We valued vacation, but funds were tight, and I wasn’t sure the ministry could keep running smoothly without me.

If you’re in that place right now, here are four practical questions to help you plan time away and strengthen your church in the process.

1) Do I model taking a weekly Sabbath?

It’s important for your church to see that you prioritize and protect a weekly day off, because…

• A weekly Sabbath helps establish healthy boundaries.
• It sets an example for your congregation to follow.
• It reminds you that God is the source of ministry effectiveness.

When a weekly rhythm of rest is already in place, it becomes much easier to value and protect an extended vacation.

Related resources:

• Reflections on Sabbatical and the Small-Church Pastor
• 5 Margin Makers Every Pastor Should Consider

2) Do I have leaders I can hand things off to?

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my early years of pastoring was realizing the church could go on without me.

If you find yourself thinking, “Everything will collapse if I’m not there,” take time to ask what might be underneath that belief:

• Is it possible that feeling needed has become tied to your identity?
• Are expectations from the congregation shaping an unhealthy “always on call” reality?

While the calling is 24/7, you cannot live life being “on call” 24/7. That’s not sustainable.

One practical step I took was publicly identifying who would cover emergencies while I was gone. Our church was small and had no staff, so I told the congregation that our three board members would be available. I shared their phone numbers and had them stand in front of the church to visibly show they were willing to serve.

Related resources:

• Decoding Identity (w/ Bob Hamp) – Bonus Episode
• Why Is It Always My Fault? (w/ Bob Hamp) – Episode 285
• Do Your Work From Rest . . . Instead Of Resting From Your Work (w/ John Finkelde) – Episode 291

3) Have I clearly established vacation guidelines with my church?

Healthy churches can still have unclear expectations. Before you leave, communicate what your vacation boundaries are. For example:

• Who should be contacted if an emergency arises
• What qualifies as an “emergency”
• Whether or not you will be reachable

In my case, I told the church my phone would be off for the duration. I also did not share our exact location. I wanted my spouse and kids to know, in both words and actions, that they mattered more than ministry demands.

4) Have I set aside vacation funds throughout the year and left them alone?

Cost is a real barrier. Most small-church pastors understand what it feels like to have more month than money.

If vacation feels impossible financially, consider two practical options:

• Create a vacation fund and treat it as “hands off.”
• Plan a staycation if funds are extremely tight.

A staycation only works if you truly shut down emotionally and mentally. It is not perfect, but it can be better than no rest at all.

Why this matters (more than you think)

Looking back, I’m grateful I prioritized a yearly family vacation because:

• It gave me space to clear my mind and spirit.
• It reminded my family, in very tangible ways, that they were my first ministry.

At this stage of life, I try to take two weeks in a row because it often takes the first week to decompress enough to truly enjoy the second.

Vacation Q&A 

1. Q: What if my church expects me to be available 24/7?

A: Clarify expectations with loving, direct communication. Put a plan in place for pastoral care coverage, and reinforce that the calling is always present, but constant availability is not sustainable.

2. Q: What if I don’t have staff to cover emergencies?

A: Start with 2–3 trusted leaders (board members, elders, key volunteers). Give them clear authority and a simple escalation plan.

3. Q: What should I tell the church before I leave?

A: Share who to call, what counts as an emergency, and whether you will be reachable. The more specific you are, the fewer boundary tests you will face.

4. Q: What if I cannot afford a vacation right now?

A: Start a small vacation fund and protect it. If needed, do a staycation, but treat it like a real vacation by turning work off.

5. Q: How long should a vacation be?

A: Take what you can, but many leaders find that a full week allows real recovery. If possible, two weeks provides deeper rest.

What are you doing that is working well? What is not going so well? Let’s connect and have a conversation about it. At 95Network, we are here to support and serve you in any way we can. If you feel like you’re in a season where you’re stalled out and can’t see the way forward, then please reach out to me at [email protected]

• Website: 95Network.org
• 95Network – Soul Care Essentials
• 95Network – Healthy Church Assessment
• Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now

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