After 30 years of full-time ministry, I’m thrilled to get a sabbatical leave for the next three months! My plans include reading the books I haven’t been able to read, visiting and learning from peers, some travel and time to reconnect with my family. The biggest shift for me will be time away from walking through crisis with people. There is always someone who is needing prayer, counsel, or help, and to have a bit of time without the pressure of grief will allow me to reset for the next season.
What is Sabbatical?
Sabbatical is a foreign concept to many people. It is defined as a “lengthy, intentional break from work.” It is based on the Biblical practice of Shmita (sabbatical year), which is related to agriculture. According to Leviticus 25, God’s people in the Land of Israel were commanded to take a year long break from working their fields every seven years. This would allow the land to regenerate and the nutrients in the soil to be at healthy levels.
A Sabbatical is like a String of Sabbaths.
The concept of Sabbath is to work six days and then cease work, rest and delight in God on the seventh day (the Sabbath). This was based on God’s pattern of working to create the universe and earth in six days and resting on the seventh day (Gen. 2). God commands his people to practice Sabbath in Leviticus 23.
Yes, I am Coming Back after my Sabbatical!
“I’m afraid you’re not coming back.” One of my friends very honestly admitted that she was concerned that after this time away I won’t want to come back. Some people who go on sabbatical do realize that they are not supposed to continue in their current position, and this has been my friend’s experience. I will assure you that I would be crazy to leave my position now, and here’s a bit of the reasons why.
I have served as the Lead Pastor here at Neighborhood Church for the past 10 years, and have been on staff for 24 years all together. Having grown up here most of my younger years, this place has shaped me, and in the past season, I have shaped the culture and direction of this great family.
The first 10 years of my leadership was marked with difficult transitions, including the pain of closing our school, natural disasters, and more recently a pandemic.
We were thrilled to roll out fresh vision in January 2020 which had taken me almost eight years to gain clarity, but then less than two months later we were plunged into a pandemic with all of its challenges. As I think about the next few years, I am so excited to walk out our “new” vision. Why in the world would I leave now? It’s just about to get really fun!
We are so Thankful for the Lord's Provision.
This is the “best” time to take Sabbatical. As I head out for a sabbatical leave from ministry for the next three months, my heart is filled with gratitude. Neighborhood Church is 58 years old and God has sustained this family through the best of times as well as seasons of struggle.
- Our campus has never looked more beautiful. Bruce Burton and the team at Lamb and Carlson continue to care for our outdoor spaces creatively and aptly.
- The staff team here have worked with limited resources to leverage volunteers to repair and improve the insides of our buildings.
- The preschool here ministers to about 100 families where our teachers provide the best of education and faith, sharing Jesus with some who don’t know Him.
- We are seeing a fantastic number of people being trained and raised up to lead worship and serve as speakers.
- It is such a blessing to remain a debt free organization with adequate savings to sustain us for a few months of “rainy days.”
- We have been able to leverage our benevolence and natural disaster funds to help ministries, churches, pastors and people in need.
- Our staff team continues to live out more healthy rhythms in their work and life balance.
We are operating from a place of Freedom and Strength.
Our Neighborhood Church staff is unified and passionate. We are seeing more volunteering and people are coming back to the campus on Sunday mornings more and more as we move away from the “pandemic season.” Our rhythms as a pastoral team are more healthy than ever, and there is an ease and freedom in serving instead of striving, pressing and “hurry.” We have been more intentional in this past year than ever, and continue to see stronger numbers online than in attendance physically on Sundays. In the background we have been shaping our discipleship pathway and getting back to important offerings like our coaching workshop, Focused Living, Apex and a seminar for our older friends to help clarify how to leave a legacy.
I'm looking forward to great things at Neighborhood this Fall.
Three months will go by in the blink of an eye, and we already have very exciting plans for the fall. I look forward to that time when I will be with you again to worship together and experience the great things to come!
Blessings to all of you in this season. May you find rest for your souls as you live out the unforced rhythms of grace!
