What has happened since my previous sabbatical ended April 1, 2018? In the past seven years, so much has happened. Faith Church had started a capital campaign in 2017, and it lasted through 2019. We resealed the parking lot, put in all new doors and windows, a new roof, new kitchen appliances, new WIFIContinue reading “Why I am taking my second sabbatical – The Sabbath Year, Part 5”
Tag Archives: sabbatical
How a church that never gave a sabbatical in 50 years decided to give one – The Sabbath Year, Part 4
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”
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”
Are sabbaticals an unnecessary indulgence? – The Sabbath Year, Part 1
In 2009, a husband and wife from my church, both full-time teachers, took sabbaticals to spend an entire year as substitute missionaries in Kenya. Because theirs were full-year sabbaticals, they received 50% pay. Another option would be to take six-month sabbaticals at 100% pay, which is standard for teachers. But the school in Kenya, RiftContinue reading “Are sabbaticals an unnecessary indulgence? – The Sabbath Year, Part 1”
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”
What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5
I had a spiritual direction appointment this week, and my spiritual director was asking about my upcoming sabbatical, which will be in August through October. He asked what I was going to do, and if I had a sabbatical theme. I had to admit to my spiritual director that I do not have a themeContinue reading “What would it look like for you to sacrifice to God in a way that will demonstrate your trust in him? – 2 Samuel 24, Part 5”
Religion/Ritual bad, Relationship good? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 2]
Is religion automatically bad? Some Christians are very anti-religion because they feel it goes against the concept of relationship. But does it? Read James 1:26-27, and you’ll see James suggest that religion is not only a viable way to view our connection with God, but that God approves of religion that has a heart forContinue reading “Religion/Ritual bad, Relationship good? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 2]”
My year without Facebook
On January 1, 2018, I deactivated my Facebook account. I had been an active Facebook user for about eight years, but I was starting a three-month sabbatical from pastoral ministry in my church, and I was concerned that the purposes of the sabbatical would be impeded if I spent time on social media. I alsoContinue reading “My year without Facebook”
When I visited other churches (What I Learned on Sabbatical, Part 4)
One of the most frequent questions I got before going on sabbatical was, “Where will you go to church?” When I asked people what they thought I should do about church, they had many responses. Some people suggested I take a break, which is essentially the definition of sabbatical. I seriously considered not going toContinue reading “When I visited other churches (What I Learned on Sabbatical, Part 4)”
Engaging Scripture 