This question is a difficult one—not just for you, but for me as well and for us as a family—because our lives are so intertwined with the people and ministries of this church. Our significant friendships are here and our support groups. Fellowship Arapaho is our life blood. It seems unthinkable to rip that out of our lives. For this reason, we’ve decided that Julie and our kids will continue their regular involvement at FBCA. The sabbatical is really focused on helping me be the best pastor for our church that I can be. Because I will need the support, encouragement and prayers of all of you to do that well, I would prefer to continue regularly worshipping here and fellowshipping here at FBCA.
The problem is, that would make it difficult (if not impossible) to get the kind of break from ministry responsibilities that sabbaticals are designed to provide. Everything I’ve read about sabbaticals encourages pastors to be disciplined about taking a real break—and that means staying away from regular responsibilities. Conversations at church often drift easily into the work of the ministry (as they should). However, that’s the very thing a pastor is supposed to avoid during a sabbatical. To make this a successful time of rest and restoration, I’m going to have to temporarily find other avenues for worship and my own spiritual growth. It’s going to be difficult to distance myself from the church that I love and prefer over any other church I know. So I’d appreciate your prayers that I will be disciplined about this and that God will fill the gap between us during this brief period of separation.
