Sabbatical FAQ's

I'm writing this to mainly let all you faithful readers know that I am back and to kind of do a frequently asked questions about sabbatical post.  So here goes:
- Yes, it was refreshing and enjoyable.  I am very grateful to have a church that gave these six weeks off to me.
- Yes, we did miss you. We missed our church family and worship times together...ok, I'm feeling a little convicted here...we missed ALMOST ALL of you.  There that feels more honest.
- No, I did not have a colonoscopy.  Yeah, I was really disappointed about that one!  Turns out they have changed the medical protocols and I am not due for another for one until next year.  (If you want to read a blog post about a colonoscopy just go back in the list of posts and you will find one from a few years ago).
- Yes, I got some things done out at my parent's old place out in the country.  No, I did not get everything done but I did enough to find out that I never will get it all done and I am at peace with that.
- No, I did not get a good answer in my search for "What is a weekend?"  I think you have to be working a job Monday through Friday to really understand that one - which obviously, I was not.  Maybe preachers are not supposed to understand weekends.
- Yes, it is good to be back.  I don't have any great profound truths about life except that it is good to step away from things for an extended time.  It gives you a renewed perspective on things and fresh start to them as well.
- And finally, yes, I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

for the journey...

Tim

Sabbatical

Sabbatical  

noun: 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.

Ok, I swore I would never do what I just did.  I have heard this done so many times - I promised myself I would not resort to using a Webster Dictionary definition to speak or write about something but now I have.  Maybe I need to take a break to recharge my creative batteries.

Thankfully, I have a church that understands that.  After ten years of pastoring at Northside, I was given a sabbatical leave of six weeks.  No, I am not making this up, just check with the Personnel Committee (as soon as they all return from their vacations).  I am writing this post to let you all know that I will be taking my leave for the month of July and the first two weeks of August.

We have a capable and hard-working staff here and I leave things in their well-equipped hands.  Mickey Ewing and Dean Meade will be taking care of my preaching/teaching responsibilities while I am gone.  They always do a great job and I know that you will support them well.  I will not be doing a blog, don't worry, you will find other things to read on the internet until I get back.  I promise you, you will.

What will I be doing?  There is a whole list of things – working on my parent’s place that I have long neglected, visiting other churches, having a colonoscopy, seeing my daughters and something I have never done before, going on a full two week vacation.  I keep hearing people talk about a “weekend.”  Since I have worked Sundays as a pastor for 26 years, I am going to try to find out just what is a “weekend?”  Maybe I should look it up in the dictionary.

for the journey...

Tim