daddy4ms

Introduction: Sabbatical as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary-“A leave of absence usually granted every 7 th year for travel, research and rest.” Today is my last Sunday at HMBC for the next 3 months as I begin my sabbatical next Sunday.   I want to begin by saying “thank you” to Hesston MB for understanding the importance of sabbatical for its pastors.   This policy has been in effect for many years and not all churches offer this to their pastoral staff so I want to start by saying thanks to you. I greatly appreciate the opportunity.   What will I be doing?   My focus for this sabbatical is going to be prayer so I will be going to a few 24 hour of prayer locations in Dallas and in Kansas City. I will be taking an online class on leading prayer ministry in the church in addition to visiting with some other church leaders about prayer ministry in their churches.   This will also include a time of rest for me which will include some time at a beach (...

This is the final post on my thoughts from Sabbatical.  I have already posted on rest and relationships that occurred during these 3 months.  Today I would like to share reflections from Sabbatical.  Here they are in no particular order: God is good and I am loved .  The words of a new song capture this thought, "You're a good good Father. It's who you are. It's who you are. It's who you are.  And I am loved by you. It's who I am. It's who I am. It's who I am. You're perfect in all of your ways." I Am His-Identity- For many people, what we do defines us.  For pastors, this can especially be true.  So, how would my identity be affected by not going "to work" for 3 months.  Early during my time off, I heard God whisper, "I Am His."  This helped me remind myself throughout these last few months that my identity in Christ is so important. Abiding/Fruit Bearing/Good Works -I am combining all of these because they are related....

Over the next week, I am going to be sharing my thoughts from Sabbatical.  Today's post is on the goal of rest.  When you are a pastor, it is hard to experience rest.  Even though you have days off, there are times when you are on call 24 hours a day. Tragedies happen and needs arise when someone needs you even on your day off.  Or it can be as simple as thinking about church, ministry, or congregation members even when you are "off" work.  I should say that my sabbatical was a "good" sabbatical meaning that I was not asked or required to take time off. After about a week, I realized that I needed some rest.  I was not burnt out or exhausted, but it was good to take a break.  Knowing that ministry and church was going on without me allowed my mind to rest.  It even gave me freedom to dream and ask questions.  Are we doing the most important things?  Why do we do _________? In addition to allowing my mind to rest, my sabbatical ga...

Tomorrow is my first day back at work after my 3 month sabbatical.  It has been a great time of rest, relationships, and reflection.  I plan to write posts about all three of these over the next week.  Today, I am going to list names of people that I am thankful for that impacted my Sabbatical.  All of you were important and I appreciate your part in shaping me spiritually.  If I forgot you, I am so sorry.  In no particular order: Andrew, Jason, Jason, Byron, Robin, Marci, Arnie, Paul, Brandon, Josh, Sarah, Brian, Ken, Mickey, Anne, Matt, Russell, Carl, Paul, Tullian, Hank, Tim, Les, Amy, Juan Carlos, Rita, Carl, Deb, Seth, Hugo, Jack, Felis, Pedro, God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit

In a post on Monday, I mentioned that one of the goals of sabbatical was rest. Another goal was spending time with family. This will happen as we take a 2 week family vacation to visit family in Paris (not that one, but in Tennessee), Walt Disney World, Cocoa Beach and the International Christian Retail Show. In addition, I am taking Megan and Mackenzie on a week long mission trip to Guatemala. Mitchell and Molly get to pick a 24 Hours with dad of their choosing. Below are pictures from Molly's trip to Kansas City to World's of Fun. How was it? I will let Molly tell you.  

This week, I am on my first trip for sabbatical.  I am visiting pastors at churches in Wentzville (near St. Louis) and Nashville.  Below are the two churches I am visiting:     Community Bible Church http://www.cbcnashville.org/ There are three priorities which are at the heart of all we do here at Community Bible Church—God’s Glory, God’s Grace, and God’s Word. The exaltation of the Glory of God in the Cross through the finished work of Christ is the aim of all our ministry. It is our desire and privilege to proclaim the Excellencies of His Grace to the world around us (I Peter 2:9). The Grace of God in Christ Jesus Our Savior has abounded to all those who know Him. We are committed to sharing the mercy of Our Savior’s Sacrifice with all who come through our doors and with all whom we encounter in our community (I Peter 4:10). Submitting all our lives to the Gospel of God’s Redeeming Work , depending upon its power,...

Well, it's here. My sabbatical begins today. I wanted to start with a day of prayer & reflection. So, here is my view today: Check back over the next 3 months for thoughts and reflections and what I am learning.

As this is the first day of my sabbatical, I have a post here on the topic of rest.  Go and check it out!

I am excited and thankful for my sabbatical which begins tomorrow, May 1st and goes through July 31, 2015. I appreciate the opportunity provided to me by my church, Hesston MB.  To me, this is a great blessing and sign of a healthy church as they allow their staff to take time to grow as individuals and leaders.  Below are my tentative plans as shared with the congregation. Sabbatical 2015   Dates: May-July 2015 As I prepare to go on Sabbatical in the summer of 2015, I have been praying about what this time of refreshment, renewal, and relaxation should include.   Here are a few possibilities: ·         Time of prayer & reflection   ·         Attendance at various churches to observe what their Sunday morning looks like   ·         Visits to specific churches who are ministering effectively to children, couples and fami...

As I mentioned yesterday, I will be going on sabbatical May-July 2015.  I am thankful for this opportunity to rest, research, and be refreshed.  Below you find my tentative plans: As I prepare to go on Sabbatical in the summer of 2015, I have been praying about what this time of refreshment, renewal, and relaxation should include.   Here are a few possibilities: Time of prayer & reflection at beginning and end at these possible locations: IHOP-Kansas City, Humphrey’s Shed, & Crosswinds Retreat Center Attendance at various churches to observe what their Sunday morning looks like   Visits to specific churches who are ministering effectively to children, couples and families. Already contacts have been made to churches in Missouri and Texas. V acation-extended vacation with the family. One-on-one trips with the kids-I would like to allow each of the kids an opportunity to go on a 24-48 hour trip with me of their own choosing. Guatemala Mi...

Hesston MB, the church where I am a pastor, allows its pastoral staff a sabbatical after 5 years of ministry.  I am thankful to the church leadership for this opportunity to relax and be refreshed. I am excited about this time of sabbatical from May-July 2015.  Sabbatical is defined as                               a period of time during which someone does not work at his or her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) a leave of absence, often with pay, usually granted every seventh year, as to a college professor, for travel, research, or rest. (American Heritage Dictionary)  Tomorrow I plan to share what my tentative plans are for my sabbatical.  But today I...