I did read the other day of a company that allows long term vacations, and many professionals can arrange some time away with or without pay. But it is still a rareprivilege. Always working evenings and weekends takes its toll. Having one day off per week plus a month of vacation and a month of sabbatical time per year actually comes to fewer days off per year than if one has two days every weekend plus vacations and holidays off. I hope this does not sound defensive, because that is not my intent.
Many people work more than a five-day week in today's economy.
Many people work weekends. My argument is that more people should have the opportunity to take a longer break, not only for their physical and mental health, but because life becomes impoverished if we never have the time to reflect and take stock, to find balance, to experience the sacred. Even if we are active in a congregation, our church experience can often come to resemble every other part of our busy, demanding lives. That is why I encourage all you lay ministers to take sabbaticals once in awhile from your church commitments as well. Pause, reflect, stop doing for awhile and just be.