Trinity Blog

“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.” Exodus 23:10-12

This is my last Trinity newsletter article for a few months. Why? I’m taking a three-month sabbatical this summer. August 11 will be my seventh anniversary at Trinity, and the church’s policy is to give pastors a three-month  sabbatical after six years of service.

There are many reasons for such a thing. Practically speaking, the research shows that pastors get pretty worn out by six years and they tend to stay at churches much longer when they have periodic opportunities to “re-establish healthy rhythms of life.” Another practical reason is that the stress that comes from being “on call” all the time and not usually getting weekends takes a toll on people over time.

But there’s a theological reason too. There seems to be something important about seven years. It comes up again and again in the Bible – including in the passage about Sabbath at the top of this page. According to God’s Law as given to Moses, slaves were to be released after seven years, debts were to be canceled. Even the land itself got a break after six years of production. I’ve heard seven years described as “make it or break it” time for churches.

Looks like God had it right ☺: because this is turning out to be a perfect time for me to take a break. I have loved following Jesus Christ with you and seeing what God has done among us as we’ve worked together for the Kingdom.

You have blessed me (and my family) in all kinds of ways. And at the same time, some things have been difficult – saying goodbye to friends, resolving crises, organizing and administration… You get the idea.

It is my heartfelt desire to stay in ministry at Trinity for the long haul. I believe God has much more for us to do together. As I take the sabbatical, the church and I are committing to a minimum of another year of ministry together so those who have been worrying about that – never fear! Still, I will need to learn some new habits and ways of doing ministry so that I don’t end up this tired again! Please pray for God’s guidance for me this  summer so I may learn what I need to learn.

Finally, we will be in town most of the sabbatical time. When we meet this summer, I’ll be happy to see you and hear how you’re doing but please do not tell me about what’s going on at the church. That’s what I need a break from (not you ☺). Then we’ll see each other again in September!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Steve