Planning your sabbatical?
Ministry is one of the most fulfilling callings—and one of the most exhausting. Pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders carry spiritual, emotional, and organizational burdens that few truly understand. In recent years, burnout among ministry leaders has become alarmingly common. According to the Barna Group, 38% of full-time pastors have seriously considered leaving ministry. Emotional well-being is declining, and depression is on the rise. But walking away isn’t the only option.
A pastoral sabbatical, drawn from the biblical principle of Sabbath, offers a much-needed reset. It is a sacred space for Christian leaders to stop, rest, and be renewed. The purpose isn’t to escape ministry but to return to it renewed in spirit, mind, and heart. A well-structured sabbatical can strengthen your leadership, marriage, family life, and personal faith.
Want to maximize the impact of your sabbatical?
At QuietWaters Ministries, we believe that a sabbatical is more than a vacation. It’s an opportunity to rediscover your calling and reconnect with God. Our Sabbatical Counseling Intensive is designed to enhance the sabbatical experience through purposeful reflection, therapeutic care, and spiritual renewal.
Our approach is personalized to your goals, whether you’re:
- Debriefing the past and evaluating the present
- Planning for the future of your ministry or church
- Seeking personal and spiritual refreshment
- Addressing family dynamics and marital strength
- Building resilience and a re-entry plan.
What to expect during a Sabbatical Counseling Intensive
Our Sabbatical Counseling Intensive includes 2 to 3 hours per day of one-on-one work with a Licensed Professional Counselor who understands both ministry and mental health. These sessions are customized to explore your specific challenges and dreams. With the help of your counselor, you will process key experiences, set new priorities, and envision your future with clarity.
Our Counseling Intensives are hosted at our serene Retreat Center in Colorado. This setting is more than beautiful—it’s intentional. Free from the pressures of ministry, our peaceful space allows you to focus entirely on your spiritual and leadership journey.
QuietWaters is unique in our focus on Christian leaders. Here, you are not seen as a title or role, but as a person deeply loved by God, deserving of care. We offer biblically grounded counseling, grace-filled hospitality, and an environment where transformation is possible. Our staff understands the pressures of leadership and walks with you in empathy, not judgment.
Pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders who return from a sabbatical often report renewed energy, restored joy, deeper relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose. By taking time to invest in your well-being, you extend your ability to lead, serve, and finish well.
You were never meant to do this alone. At a QuietWaters Sabbatical Counseling Intensive in Colorado, we help you step away to be renewed—so you can return stronger.
Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback
QuietWaters Ministries partners with BrainCode Centers to offer our clients innovative qEEG Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback. This powerful, non-invasive technology offers deep, personalized insight into brain activity—highlighting areas such as stress, focus, and resilience—then uses that data to shape custom Neurofeedback plans that strengthen and rebalance brain function. By combining cutting-edge neuroscience with pastoral care, we can empower our clients to gain greater self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and long-lasting tools to thrive personally and relationally.
“Thank you for providing such a wonderful space and ministry that accommodates the particular needs of ministry leaders. This was a perfect launch to our summer sabbatical and a wonderful way to celebrate our 30th anniversary! It was so refreshing to be in an ‘all-inclusive’ space in a beautiful setting. Our time at QuietWaters met and exceeded our expectations. Our interaction with QuietWaters staff and hosts was wonderful from start to finish. They were responsive from our first contact and matched us with a counselor who understood our needs. Our stay at the retreat center supported our counseling intensive by taking care of our every need and providing a quiet, stress-free setting that allowed for recreation, rest, and reflection. We would recommend QuietWaters to any leader in ministry needing time away.”
“Thank you so much for all you have done to provide this amazing setting for a powerful ministry as a launch into my sabbatical leave. The location–convenient from the airport and near desired experiences–the high quality of the accommodations and the great hospitality of the hosts are greatly appreciated. And the high level of a skilled therapist made a profound impact on my life. Everything was the highest quality that made for deep impact for my experience. Thank you for helping to make this possible. ”