"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went out to a solitary place where he prayed." Early in the summer, while there was still a threat of snow, Kurt got up, left the church, and went into secular society where he listened.
Starting May 1st I will be going on a Sabbatical for three months. In my mind, a Sabbatical is not just a time of rest and relaxation, but a time to refocus, redirect, and revive. Harvest has the policy that every 7 years a pastor is to take a three month sabbatical for the purpose of spiritual formation. I have been the pastor of Harvest since November 1999.
Later that day, the disciples went looking for Jesus and when they found him they informed him that the masses of people were looking for him as well. To this Jesus responded, "Let us go somewhere else - to the other villages, so I can preach there as well." Focus of purpose and direction comes from getting away to a solitary place.
The value of a Sabbath has been recorded from the creation of the world. After creating the world, God rested. Not because He needed to do so, but because man needs a Sabbath. We were not created to fulfill the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was created to fulfill us. It amazes me how many people feel there is no need for a Sabbath. Let me say, we all need a Sabbath to refocus, redirect, and revive ourselves for the days to come. My goal is not to just sit and watch the grass grow. (Although, I will take some time to watch the sun set!)
I have a goal for my sabbatical: To understand how the Church can be the Church in an increasingly secular society. So to that end, I will be attending several churches here in the Springs with a self-proclaimed secular friend of mine. Then, Terasue and I are going to visit the Church in Australia to see how they minister to the most secular, English-speaking country. Following Australia, I hope to somehow document my findings and experiences and coagulate some sort of conclusion that will make the Church more effective in fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation of people to God.
During my sabbatical, you may want to check my blog weekly as I will give updates and thoughts regarding my experiences and those around me.
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Thoughts, some profound, and others that are not-so-deep. Some are responses from the pastor of a church community in downtown Colorado Springs to questions texted to him during the weekly service.
