For this month’s installment of the Clergy Wellness Corner, Sue Magrath gets some insight on renewal leave from the Rev. Derek McGuckin, pastor at Riverview United Methodist Church in Pasco, Washington. McGuckin, who took a renewal leave recently, describes them as essential and offers some practical pointers from his experience.
How long have you been in ministry?
This is my 18th year of full time ministry in the Pacific Northwest Conference. I’ve participated in ministry in a leadership capacity since my junior year in college for a total of 28 years of active engagement in ministry leadership thus far.
Have you taken renewal leave in the past? If so, how often and for how long?
My first experience of leave happened with the birth of my daughter. I took four weeks of paternity leave, and it was wonderful. My sons were four and six at the time, and the leave really helped with the many transitions that go along with a new family member. My daughter was born during the summer, so I combined the paternity leave with vacation for a nice break from ministry. My wife and I still remember the blessing that we experienced during this time.
My next experience with leave happened because of a meeting with Bishop Grant Hagiya. I asked to meet with him because I had several questions about my ministry leadership effectiveness at the time. He “suggested” I take four weeks of leave so that I could have time to wrestle with my questions. I followed his “advice” and had a fruitful time which ultimately led to change in appointment.
What drove you to take renewal leave at this point? Burn-out? Church issues? Pro-active self-care?
Yes to all three. I try to be proactive with my self-care. I practice Sabbath and make sure that I balance my work with my family and personal commitments. Even with my self-care focus I find that ministry can cause deep weariness over time. For me it isn’t a question of doing it right and I won’t grow weary. I find that over time the ministerial vocation is physically and spiritually tiring AND rewarding. Church conflict can speed up the weariness. That was the situation prior to my most recent leave. I learned that once conflict has resolved or run its course, it is time to fill the well and take a break!
Where did you go? What did you do?
I stopped being a minister. I set aside any vocational obligations. Not as easy as one might think because the ministerial vocation has obligations that we aren’t always aware of. A wonderful part of renewal leave is to feel and deal with these ‘hidden’ obligations. Even in the stopping I find that I’m wired ‘to do’ ministerial stuff. Letting all that go was a multi-week process for me. I did attend worship at a friend’s church from a different denomination with a different style of worship than my own church. What a blessing!
I left town two days after my renewal leave started. This made me tie up all the loose ends since I had a hard deadline for catching my flight. I spent a little less than half of my leave in California with my aging parents and engaged in sacred play competing in model airplane competitions. I did read several books and started one that I have wanted to read for years. I read enough to know that it could wait. The original plan included time at a monastery but I messed up the reservation process, so I let it go. Next time!
I rested. Simple to say but not easy to do. I had plans to finish some things and realized that these things weren’t life-giving in the way that I hoped. I stopped and set my plans aside. I tried to stay in the moment and attend fully to place: my parents, my wife, my kids, and the road as I travelled.
Talk about how long it took for you to truly unwind.
My renewal was 6.5 weeks long. I felt fully unwound around week four. I was surprised how long it took to set everything aside.
What advice would you give to your fellow pastors about renewal leave?
First, renewal leave is an essential part of our vocation. Yes, it’s that big of a deal! I learned lots about myself and how I engage and practice ministry while on leave.
How long should the leave be? That depends on circumstances. Make it as long as you can. I was surprised by how long it took me to unwind and set aside my mental and physical vocational obligations.
What to do on leave? We are all wired in different ways, and what you need will be unique to you. Talk with people you trust and make a plan to not over-plan!
Finally, rest! Always rest.
Rev. Derek McGuckin is pastor at Riverview United Methodist Church in Pasco, Washington.
Sue Magrath is a spiritual director and retreat leader living in the Seven Rivers District. She also coordinates efforts such as the Clergy Wellness Corner to support the health of spiritual leaders in the Pacific Northwest.
