I started at Faith Church in October 2002 as full-time youth associate pastor. That meant, given my denomination’s recommendation that pastors receive sabbaticals every seven years, that my first opportunity for a sabbatical could have been as early as October 2009. But I didn’t take a sabbatical until January 1, 2018. Nine years later. Why?Continue reading “How a church that never gave a sabbatical in 50 years decided to give one – The Sabbath Year, Part 4”
Tag Archives: leviticus 25
Sabbaticals should be required for employees in any organization – The Sabbath Year, Part 3
Do you know the first corporation to grant sabbaticals? McDonalds. Does your church or company grant sabbaticals? They should. If you are in leadership in a church or company, this post explains why sabbaticals are not an indulgent luxury, but deeply beneficial for the employee and the organization. As I mentioned in previous posts thisContinue reading “Sabbaticals should be required for employees in any organization – The Sabbath Year, Part 3”
A rainbow mosaic to help us trust in God – The Sabbath Year, Part 2
During worship this past Sunday, we did an art project. You can see it in the picture above. We’re going to frame it and display it in our church lobby. Why? It has everything to do with the Sabbath Year. In Leviticus verses 1 through 7, we learn about the Sabbath Year. “The Lord saidContinue reading “A rainbow mosaic to help us trust in God – The Sabbath Year, Part 2”
There is not one, but three sabbaths – The Sabbath Year, Preview
This is my last week before my August through October 2025 sabbatical starts. In preparation for sabbatical, I have been writing a blog series on the concept of Sabbath. Last week I mentioned that there is not just one Sabbath Day. In the book of Leviticus, God instructs his people Israel to keep three SabbathContinue reading “There is not one, but three sabbaths – The Sabbath Year, Preview”
The anti-capitalist heart of God – Jubilee, Part 3
Is capitalism good or bad? If you search online, you’ll see that it’s a hot debate. It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the rest. Whether or not that statement is true (eg. democracy actually many excellent benefits), could we say something similar about capitalist economics. IsContinue reading “The anti-capitalist heart of God – Jubilee, Part 3”
The Walking Purchase (aka how indigenous peoples were cheated out of land that became Pennsylvania) and the Third Sabbath – Jubilee, Part 2
Have you heard of the Pennsylvania Walking Purchase? I have lived in Pennsylvania nearly my entire life, and I took PA History in high school. I do not remember hearing about the Walking Purchase before this week, when a question came to mind, “How was Pennsylvania land obtained by the English?” I searched that questionContinue reading “The Walking Purchase (aka how indigenous peoples were cheated out of land that became Pennsylvania) and the Third Sabbath – Jubilee, Part 2”
A fitting inscription on the Liberty Bell, but from a “strange” book of the Bible – Jubilee, Part 1
Have you ever visited the Liberty Bell? I have visited the Liberty Bell at least a couple times, but I could not have told you until this week that the bell has an inscription. The thing that I remember the most about the bell is that it was cast by bell makers named Pass andContinue reading “A fitting inscription on the Liberty Bell, but from a “strange” book of the Bible – Jubilee, Part 1″
The conflicted history of American freedom – Jubilee, Preview
What one word comes to mind when you think of the United States of America? As I consider the past 250+ years since our nation’s founding, I propose that the one word that most defines our national project is “freedom.” Consider this famous line from one of our nation’s most important founding documents, the DeclarationContinue reading “The conflicted history of American freedom – Jubilee, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 