Sab-bat-i-cal | səˈbadək(ə)l |: any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, typically every seven years
Years ago, the E91 Elders established a sabbatical policy for full-time pastors that grants up to twelve weeks every seven years for rest, renewal, and rejuvenation. Seven years ago, I took my first-ever sabbatical, where I preached and served in Ecuador and Chile, and then walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It’s hard to believe seven years have already come and gone!
But here we are, seven years later, and I’m scheduled for my second sabbatical from May 11 to August 2. As Laura and I have been preparing, we have reminded ourselves of the purpose of a sabbatical. The word sabbatical comes from the Hebrew shabbat, which means “rest.” It’s a time to disconnect from daily work in order to reconnect at a deeper level with God. It’s a time to refuel, so that when I come back to work, I will be recharged and ready to go.
So, what are my plans? I learned two lessons from my first sabbatical: (1) Don’t over-plan; and (2) take time to prepare for re-entry. Taking those lessons into account, Laura and I are structuring my sabbatical around three key events, separated by time for rest, reading, and reflection.
The first event is a “motorcycle pilgrimage” through the southern United States. I’ll be visiting seven monasteries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia, traveling 2,600 miles over two weeks. At each monastery, I’ll be taking a day retreat for silence and solitude, and, who knows, after each day’s retreat, maybe I’ll even get to visit with some monks. For this part of the sabbatical, for some reason, Laura said she had no interest in riding on the back of a motorcycle for 2,600 miles. Whatever.
The second event is a hiking excursion with Laura in Machu Picchu, Peru. This will be a two-week trip where we will see the beauty of God's creation, learn about Peruvian culture, and explore.
The third event is an Alaskan Cruise where Laura and I can get away one final time before our week preparing to return to E91. We’ve only taken one cruise before, and we loved the time away from cell phones, meetings, and administrative duties simply to be present in the moment, read, and rest.
And what about E91 while I’m gone? No worries there. We are greatly blessed with a unified, strong eldership and staff. Everyone is prepared, and they might even seem a little too positive about my time away from the office. Hmm.
We appreciate your prayers as we step aside for a few months of respite, and we look forward to being back with a full tank, ready to preach, serve, and help lead us forward!
And in case you’re wondering, no, I won’t be growing another sabbatical beard. 😊
