As I prepare for a medical test in a couple of days, I’m reminded of an experience of a colleague of mine when, after serving more than ten years, it was discovered that he had some prostate cancer and would need to be on leave for several weeks. The govening body of his congregation had no policy speaking to an extended health leave for their pastor. At a time when he was trying to respond to the challente of cancer in his body, he had to also guide the congregation through how they would respond to his forced absence. What it made me aware of is how important it is for a congregation to have a policy in place regarding emergency medical leave for their staff.
In addition to such a policy, they also ought to consider how they are going to offer support to both the pastor and his or her family. Major illness is traumatic for the whole family. The pastor has been offering support to others throughout the ministry and now it is time to receive that same support.
They also need to develop a plan for how to cover the minister’s responsilities so that s/he does not have to worry about such things. It is time for the church to be the church for the minister. In the process they will grow in their own understanding of the chuch that believes in the priesthood of all believers.
