Sabbatical: Webster defines as a "holy rest unto the Lord"
The principle: “A sabbatical is a season of refreshment of soul for those in ministry who bear significant pastoral burdens on an ongoing and prolonged basis. The purpose of the sabbatical is to enable the pastor to engage in spiritually refreshing processes for personal and congregational benefit.”
When: June & July
Where: Mississippi
What it is not: A time to intensely study or try to add a skill set or a prolonged vacation
What it is: A time to rest, connect with God and family
Well who is in charge? Richard Horner, Steve Lammers, Larry Eubanks
In addition, you will soon be meeting a team of people known as the “Summer Team”… people who come together for a short period to plan and carry out events that foster community during the summer months.
Rob, are you coming back? Yes. I have no desire to go elsewhere and no evidence that anyone else would have me.
It may help you to know that within the circle of fellow ministers God has given to me as patterns, this rhythm has been established:
7 years work--->3-4 months rest--->7 years more work (in the same place!)
Who has done this?
Mike Malone, St. Paul’s Orlando Ray Cortese, Seven Rivers in Crystal River
Ted Strawbridge, Good Shepherd Ocala Mark Bates, University Pres. Orlando
Tragically most churches see a different pattern: a Pastor works several years, gets tired and/or discouraged… then loses a passion for the ministry. He accepts a marketplace job (like selling pharmaceuticals or cars) because the passion is gone. It is a deep and abiding conviction, of mine, and the leadership of Christ Community, that this happens because sabbaticals don’t.
Eugene Peterson said, “A benefit I had not counted on was a change in the congregation. They were refreshed and confident in a way I had not observed before. One of the dangers of a long-term pastorate is the development of neurotic dependencies between pastors and people. The congregation thrived. They found they did not need me at all. They discovered they could be a church of Jesus Christ… I returned to a congregation confident in its maturity as a people of God.”
R.M. McCheyne said, “All I have to give my people is my personal holiness.”
The bottom line is that I’m leaving so that I can come back, reenergized. The city of Gainesville and Kingdom of God will benefit from my leaving and return. I want to bring renewed passion to Christ Community so we can face the challenges of the coming years together.
Who do we call with a need? Richard Horner; Steve Lammers; Larry Eubanks
How can I pray for you?
Pray that God will use these disciplines to deepen His work in me and renew my soul.
Ask that my vision for the Kingdom of God in Gainesville and the plans for Christ Community will become more and more focused.
Plead that he would make me a man after his own heart.
1.) 3 days in early June at a monastary receiving spiritual direction and extended times of silence
2.) Reading J.Oswald Sanders,
Spiritual Leadership and Bill Hybels,
Courageous Leadership, Henri Nouwen,
In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership
3.) Weekly mentoring meetings with 2 men about the Christian pilgrimage, pastoral ministry, etc.
One, a retired professor of New Testament, has a website:
Dr. Knox Chamblin
Rev. Carl Kalbercamp
4.) Listening to sermons and lectures on topics of leadership, growth in grace, church life, etc.
5.) Worshipping with God's people Sunday by Sunday
Finally, let's visit:
The plan to be gone for two months has already stimulated alot of good things that should have happened long ago. One of those is that several of you have said, "I want to sit down with Rob during May! There's been a question or need in my life that I want to discuss" Some of you have already scheduled a time for us to meet for prayer, for spiritual direction or to answer questions. This is great and I want to encourage you to contact Debbie and set up a meeting time in May.
Summer Preaching Schedule
May 1 Rob Pendley
May 8 Rob Pendley
May 15 Rob Pendley
May 22 Rob Pendley
May 29 Rob Pendley
June 6 Steve Lammers
June 13 Steve Lammers
June 20 R. horner
June 27 R. horner
July 4 Allyn Kyes
July 11 Allyn Kyes
July 18 Adam Jones
July 25 Adam Jones
August 1 Rob Pendley
