Making Sabbath a Reality in Theory and Practice

At Learning Forte, we’ve integrated a unique approach to ensure that rest is not just an ideal but a priority. Personally, the discipline of observing sabbath has been a challenge. Despite understanding its importance, I often made excuses to work during these periods. It became evident that belief alone wasn’t enough; I needed to embed this discipline into our organizational fabric to hold myself and my team accountable. This structure ensures that we all take the necessary time to rest and recharge.

Interestingly, I have found discussions about sabbath more prevalent in the small business startup community than in my past experiences in ministry. While church discussions often focus on the theological and spiritual benefits of sabbath, startup boot camps provide practical advice on how to disengage from work and the struggles involved. This blend of theory and practice has been invaluable.

Learning Forte shuts down for five weeks each year around major holidays. Additionally, core team members receive an extra two weeks of sabbatical time off every two years on top of the two weeks of paid vacation provided annually. These structured breaks are not merely benefits; they are essential to our company’s philosophy and well-being. We distinguish between sabbath and sabbatical. Sabbath is our time to rest, be with our families, and step away from professional work. Sabbatical, on the other hand, is when we intentionally engage in activities that restore and rejuvenate us, helping us return to work with renewed energy and creativity.

For the first two years of closing for our “sabbath weeks,” I had high anxiety about what our clients would say. The one upset client has been greatly outnumbered by the many who have expressed gratitude for our "sabbath emails," thanking us for our commitment to these principles. Contrary to my initial assumptions, even our clients can see that this approach not only benefits our employees but also enhances our service quality and creativity.

Making rest a reality requires more than belief in its importance. It demands creating structures in both organizational and personal life that support and enforce this discipline. At Learning Forte, this commitment to rest and rejuvenation is at the heart of our culture, and it has profoundly transformed our approach to work and creativity. I hope our experience can inspire others in the church-based non-profit sector to integrate similar practices, fostering a healthier, more balanced approach to work and life.

written by Stacy Williams-Duncan
July 2024