Getting ready...

One of the things I'm planning on doing during my sabbatical is to take time to go on a long walk. I've had a pair of walking shoes for a while, but they've recently begun to look a bit worse for wear. Having already begun reading up about preparing for a long walk, the recommendation is not to do this in a new pair of shoes. So, I've been shopping and my new shoes have just been on their first outing! And I've also got some walking poles that I still need to try out!

Exciting times...

 

Sabbatical Pending...

sabbatical

/səˈbatɪkl/

noun

    a period of paid leave granted for study or travel, traditionally for one year for every seven years worked.

    "she's away on sabbatical"

adjective

1. relating to a sabbatical.

    "sabbatical leave"

2. ARCHAIC

    of or appropriate to the sabbath.

Baptist ministers are encouraged to continue to pursue learning as ministerial formation is seen as a life-long process. One part of this is to take a period of study leave, or sabbatical, every seven years from the date of accreditation.  My opportunity for sabbatical falls during 2025 so my plan will be to take three months for this between April - July.

Pixabay - Ary74

A sabbatical is not a 3 month long paid holiday, but rather a time which allows me to step back from  my usual regular duties to study, reflect and pray in a way that the demands of ministry don't often allow. This is intended to be a time of enrichment both for myself and YBC.

My plan is that this time will be an intentional season dedicated to slowing down and spending time with God as I take time to pursue some other activities focused around the theme of pilgrimage. This comes from God continually drawing my focus over the past couple of years to some verses from Matthew 11 taken from The Message:

Come to me.
Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

I've got lots of ideas about what I could do (probably far too many!), but I'm looking forward to walking with God and learning more about His unforced rhythms of grace.

I'll share a bit more about my plans as they come together - so watch this space...