Dear Six Points,
This summer, from June 30 to August 25, I will be on Sabbatical.
Many have asked me questions regarding this time and so I wanted to take a moment to address these questions and concerns.
First, what is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a time away to rest, refresh and renew. This will be a time away from the demands of ministry and allow space to be with family, friends and most of all, God. Pastors in the Wesleyan church are encouraged to take a Sabbatical in their 7th year of ministry and the church has agreed to honor that by allowing me these 8 weeks away.
Is it Biblical?
In Leviticus 25 God commands Israel to allow their land to lie fallow (not plowed or planted) every 7 years so that the land can rest and be renewed.
In Exodus 20 we are all commanded to rest every seven days.
These ideas are the Biblical basis for a sabbatical. That a pastor could rest and be renewed by being allowed to cease their work for a time and then return renewed.
How will it work?
While I am gone we have made sure that we will have excellent preaching (8 amazing guest speakers, some of whom you know and love, and some who you will meet) and that Pastoral Care Needs (visitation, funerals, weddings, baptisms, communion) will also be covered by our staff, our Lay Visitation team and by two retired ministers who will be "on call" as needed. If you have a need, just contact the office and they will connect you with a pastor who can help.
What will you be doing?
I will spend this time doing a variety of things that I believe will help refresh me.
Can we contact you?
No. I will be taking a break from email, social media and my phone during this time. My goal of uninterrupted time is one I would ask you try and honor. I have worked to make sure that all the needs of the church are met during this time away and so I hope that I can fully be away.
Are you coming back?
Yes. I have committed to the board and my district superintendent that it is my goal to not only return, but to continue to pastor this church for years to come. I believe that this break will help me do that.
I am grateful to the board for their leadership on this and excited to rejoin the church in late August with fresh energy and enthusiasm.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott McDermid
This summer, from June 30 to August 25, I will be on Sabbatical.
Many have asked me questions regarding this time and so I wanted to take a moment to address these questions and concerns.
First, what is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a time away to rest, refresh and renew. This will be a time away from the demands of ministry and allow space to be with family, friends and most of all, God. Pastors in the Wesleyan church are encouraged to take a Sabbatical in their 7th year of ministry and the church has agreed to honor that by allowing me these 8 weeks away.
Is it Biblical?
In Leviticus 25 God commands Israel to allow their land to lie fallow (not plowed or planted) every 7 years so that the land can rest and be renewed.
In Exodus 20 we are all commanded to rest every seven days.
These ideas are the Biblical basis for a sabbatical. That a pastor could rest and be renewed by being allowed to cease their work for a time and then return renewed.
How will it work?
While I am gone we have made sure that we will have excellent preaching (8 amazing guest speakers, some of whom you know and love, and some who you will meet) and that Pastoral Care Needs (visitation, funerals, weddings, baptisms, communion) will also be covered by our staff, our Lay Visitation team and by two retired ministers who will be "on call" as needed. If you have a need, just contact the office and they will connect you with a pastor who can help.
What will you be doing?
I will spend this time doing a variety of things that I believe will help refresh me.
- I will spend a few weeks traveling with my family out west and then a few additional days in solitude with God
- I am spending some intentional time with family and friends
- I am making an effort to get healthy physically
- And I have a few home projects that I never get around to that I will (hopefully) accomplish
Can we contact you?
No. I will be taking a break from email, social media and my phone during this time. My goal of uninterrupted time is one I would ask you try and honor. I have worked to make sure that all the needs of the church are met during this time away and so I hope that I can fully be away.
Are you coming back?
Yes. I have committed to the board and my district superintendent that it is my goal to not only return, but to continue to pastor this church for years to come. I believe that this break will help me do that.
I am grateful to the board for their leadership on this and excited to rejoin the church in late August with fresh energy and enthusiasm.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott McDermid
