sabbath time

The month of August, I've been on sabbatical, a four-week long renewal leave. Every year, United Methodist clergy receive one week leave for continuing education and spiritual renewal. Every four years, we receive four weeks of leave for study or renewal. I've been blessed to be in my wonderful congregation for four years, and under full-time appointment for six years, so when I asked our Staff-Parish Relations Team to take the month of leave, they responded graciously and lovingly.

Interestingly, during the first week of leave, at least four articles came out highlighting the danger of clergy burnout. (Two examples are here and here.) God has richly blessed me with the opposite of what is described as hazards and pitfalls of burnout. I have a wonderful, motivated, loving congregation; a large support network of peers and mentors; a sustaining circle of non-church friends; an incredibly understanding family; and a long-standing commitment to a healthy nutrition.

But these articles and studies highlighted for me the most important aspect of good self-care (for everyone, not just for pastors!) - the need for Sabbath. Sabbath is not just "time off". It's time away for a purpose - to rest, to restore, and to reconnect with God. It's an intentional moving out of the stream of "ordinary" life and into the stream of God's restorative life. The Jewish Sabbath as an entire evening and day set apart for family, worship, prayer, and rest still provides an example of the power of time away. It reorients us to what really matters, what really is important and who really gives us life.

Part of my discernment during the coming weeks is see where God is offering me and my family Sabbath rest and time,and where God is calling us as a congregation to embrace Sabbath. I'm excited about the new season of spiritual, emotional, and relational growth that fully living into Sabbath will give to us!