Okay, so, I wanted to write and update you on my sabbatical coming up. I've announced this a couple of times already, but the official dates are July 3rd through August 23rd. So I thought I would give you some of the details, clarify a few things and share a bit of my perspective on this.
First, I want you to know that even though I think this is beneficial for me, my family and our church as a whole, I don't feel like I "need" this time. I'm not saying I'm in denial, but when I find this to be so different than many others I've been exposed to. Many times sabbaticals are taken because a person is either on the verge of burning out, totally burned out or facing some personal trials that require stepping away to work through. Even though church planting is more consuming then most realize, thankfully none of those are the case for me. Sabbaticals are something our elders have put into our staff handbook as a proactive protection of our pastors. The bottom line is every 7 years our pastoral staff is required to take a 7 week sabbatical. My 7 years came up on April 11th so my time has come - I moved to PDX to plant Colossae on that date in 2008.
Secondly, although I am very excited to have designated time away with my family and to reflect and think about where we are as a church, I am honestly a bit torn emotionally to step out of things. I have never been called a control freak, but the reality is I have never been as excited about what God is doing in and through our church as I am right now. And there is so much I am excited about being involved with, personally. So, to leave at this time is a little odd for me. That said, I do believe God is in this and I am looking forward to the fruits of it - whatever those may be.
Okay, so, I also wanted to give you some details and to paint a bit more of a picture of what this will practically look like for me.
A sabbatical is not necessarily a vacation. I will be doing some "vacation-like" things, for sure - that is part of what the elders have directed me in. However, we see my sabbatical as a time away with a specific purpose: to get away to reflect on where God has us as a church as well as where He wants to take us and to restore a bit so that I can lead in the ways I will need to for the next 7 years. I will say that I (and our elders) feel great before the Lord about where we are and are heading so I don't anticipate any major changes. But, I must say I do expect to hear from Him during my time away. I am very much looking forward to what He will say.
Also, for the sake of full disclosure, this is a time where our elders have given me some clear direction and I think it's important for you to know a bit about that. So I want to let you know what they have asked of me:
- To be completely detached from the day-to-day aspects of Colossae. At this point in our church there are a lot of things I'm not directly involved with, but the elders have asked that I'm completely removed from the daily operations/leadership. This is simply for the purpose of allowing me to do what the sabbatical is designed for. Therefore, I will not be in the office, be checking email or accepting calls pertaining to the church. Additionally, I will not be receiving any updates from our staff. There are a couple of exceptions where my wife might receive a call: (a) there is a death I need to be aware of (b) a pastor needs to step off our staff. Other than that I have been asked to be removed. In my absence, our staff is clear as to who the "decision makers" are for different aspects of the ministry and Chris Newman will be chairing our board of elders while I am gone. In all honesty, I will not even be thinking about whether or not things are covered while I am gone. With our staff and elders being as strong as they are, this is the last concern I will have.
- To sit under teaching. Over the last 7 years I have written a lot (i.e. books, articles, curriculums) and have taught at least weekly and sometimes up to 12 times in one week. So, there is one week when my family and I will be staying in a friends house at Hume Lake Christian Camp where I will be sitting under the teaching of a pastor the entire week. I trust this will be a refreshing time for me.
- To have time by myself to reflect and listen. Barbara and I have planned this into our time away. Not that I can't listen to God in this midst of my wife and family and activity, but I am looking forward to spending some time alone throughout the 7 weeks...desperately listening for what God might say. I really don't have many expectations during my sabbatical, but I can say I do expect to hear from God.
- To have time with my wife, with no kids. We have also planned this out - with quite a bit of excitement, actually. As much as we love our children, I am sure you can understand that one! We are excited to have sections of time to relax together and to reflect on where God has our family. Barbara and I are doing better then ever as a couple, but times like this are necessary to keep that on track - so we are excited.
My time away will include a bunch of different things, varying from doing some projects around our house, to being at the coast, to staying in homes owned by friends/family or staying in family members timeshares in various places along the west coast. It will be filled with a lot of activity, which our family is very excited about. It will also be enveloped with reading, reflection and conversation with Barbara.
When I return I will spend a couple days articulating my reflection points with our elders and meeting with our pastoral staff. I will also be giving a full update to all you guys my first Sunday back teaching.
Anyway, there is a bit about it. If you have any question, please feel free to let me know - just remember that after July 3rd I will not be checking email until I return. You can also contact any of our pastoral staff or Kristin Gregory directly (email: kristin@colossaechurch.org).
Love you guys so much and I am so thankful to serve you and alongside you through all God is doing here at Colossae!
Chuck (and on behalf of Barbara, Karis, Hope and Sayla).
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