Sabbatical
It was a hot summer’s evening at the end of July 2012. There we were sitting in bed watching the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Alex and I had just moved, as a recently married couple, to Edinburgh to begin serving at Bruntsfield.
Well here I am writing this article nearly 10 years later. On one level so much has changed. Having originally came as the first ever ‘trainee’ I am now humbled to have served as the Pastor for the past five or so years. The Lord has blessed us with 3 young children. We’ve made many new friends, many of whom are still part of our church family, whilst many have come and gone from Edinburgh. However, through it all, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the Lord’s faithfulness and grace. Jesus Christ truly is the same yesterday, today and forever. I’m increasingly convinced that there is simply none that compares to him.
I’ve been struck by reading the early chapters of Luke’s gospel recently how often Jesus retreated for times of solitude and prayer. He also so lovingly invites his disciples into knowing the same pattern of resting in the love and goodness of the Father before turning to serve. I guess that’s the Sabbath principle for the everyday disciple.
Before we’re about doing we’re to be about being and resting and rejoicing in the who the Lord is. Every so often, particularly in the busyness and longevity of pastoral ministry, it’s good to step back and enjoy the rest, renewal, and refreshment that is found in knowing Jesus.
So, with the Elders’ blessing and encouraging, I will be taking a 3 month Sabbatical this summer with my family. Here are the headlines of my plans...
When am I having my Sabbatical?
June, July & August 2022.
Where am I planning to go?
During June we will be based in Edinburgh to allow the girls to complete the school year. From late June to mid August (school holidays) we will be going to Louisville, Kentucky to be based with the church family at Sovereign Grace (who have been so kind in accommodating us) after which we will take a short vacation before returning to Edinburgh in mid August.
What am I planning to do?
We’re looking forward to being based with a different church family for a short season and seeing, learning and being blessed by a different way of doing things. I plan on meeting different Pastors and picking their brains on Pastoral Ministry and church life with the aim of prayerfully developing and seeking the Lord about his plans for the continued growth for us as a church family at Bruntsfield. Through it all I’m praying that this is a hugely refreshing and memorable time for us a family as well. We’d greatly appreciate your prayers and support.
I look forward to returning in September for another season of ministry where as a church we continue to proclaim, pursue and make much of the Lord Jesus together.
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’
(Philippians 3:12)
