Sabbatical Scholarship Program
The Grace Place Sabbatical Scholarship gives LCMS church workers space for renewal, so they can return to ministry refreshed and ready.
Sabbaticals are good
for everyone
A healthy sabbatical isn’t just a break; it’s a shared blessing. When a ministry leader takes time to rest and recharge, the whole congregation benefits. That’s why the Grace Place Wellness Sabbatical Scholarship supports first-time sabbaticals focused on physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.
Application deadline: October 31, 2025 at 5 p.m.
About the Scholarship
Lutheran Church Extension Fund will award six scholarships of up to $7,500 to ordained and commissioned LCMS church workers preparing for their first sabbatical. These funds can help cover:
- Interim staffing costs
- Salary and benefit support
- Travel or education expenses related to the sabbatical
How to Apply
To be considered for a sabbatical scholarship, submit the following with your application packet:
- Application cover sheet (included in packet)
- Budget form (included in packet)
- Letters of support from your district president and a congregational leader
- Your church’s sabbatical policy (or plan to create one)
- A typed sabbatical proposal (maximum 5 pages, 12-point font)
Tax Implications
We are learning that in some cases there can be tax implications connected to the money received to enable a ministry sabbatical. Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) does
not give tax advice and finds that implications can vary by situation and even location. We advise that in the planning process for a sabbatical, the pastor and congregation consult with a trusted tax expert or CPA. Neither LCEF nor its representatives give legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor as to the applicability of this information to your own situation. It is best to consult a tax professional in the early stages of sabbatical planning and will be helpful if that expert helps prepare your taxes. It is also possible to have money set aside by the congregation to help cover any tax implications. Expert advice will help both pastor and congregation navigate tax questions. If a large grant is received for the sabbatical, it is important to consider any tax implications
Need help planning your sabbatical?
Not sure where to start? Our free guide outlines the personal, spiritual and ministry-wide benefits of a well-planned sabbatical.
Questions?
Contact Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Walton
Vice President, Ministry Solutions | Grace Place Wellness