Randy's Ruminations

As the most frequent spokesman for the elders, Browning was scheduled last Sunday to announce my sabbatical and the coming of an intern to preach this summer.

The term sabbatical comes from “Sabbath” and refers to a time of stepping outside the normal duties of life for the sake of spiritual (and physical) renewal. Several years ago the elders adopted a sabbatical policy for full time ministers. After each 7 years of service, a two-month sabbatical is given for special opportunities of research, training, reading, seeing how other successful churches operate, etc.

One purpose of a sabbatical is to counter the phenomenon of “burnout” by resourcing staff with renewal opportunities which will allow a minister to return with fresh ideas and a fresh spirit. In the old days, the only way to treat burnout and get a fresh start was to move to a new church. The sabbatical policy is one effort to foster long-term ministries which bring stability and long-term relationships with the church.

This has been immensely successful. Garry has had two sabbaticals and is in his 17^th year at Campbell. This will be my second sabbatical as I am now in my 15^th year. Walter had a sabbatical and is in his 10^th year. Yes, he is now leaving, but not to go to another church. Rather he is going with the blessing of the elders to a new form of ministry.

When I was growing up as a “preacher’s kid” we moved frequently. The average stay was about 3 years – and that was typical. But the cost of such frequent moves – for minister families, for church momentum, in cyncism about ministers always going on to greener pastures, in stability of programs, and financial – was tremendous. Long-term ministries usually bless a church.

Kathy and I will be combining vacation time with the sabbatical in order to allow the absence in the pulpit to be filled by the intern and to fit my course schedule. Among other things I will be taking three separate week-long courses at Regent College in Vancouver. (In addition to the courses, I will be writing a course at the elders’ request, reading and doing work on two upcoming sermon series.)

Bryan Shackman, from southern California, will be the preaching intern. He graduated from Pepperdine University and is completing a Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University where he is a graduate teaching assistant and has been preaching for a west Texas church in a small community.

Bryan’s coming will not only meet a practical need for the congregation, but will give him great experience with a larger, healthy church. I encourage you to encourage and bless him and to have him over for dinner!

The first Sunday of my absence will be May 11. Bryan will begin May 25 immediately after his graduation.

# posted by Randy @ 2:48 PM