What is a Sabbatical?

February 7, 2017, was my first day as Pastor here at St. Luke’s; honestly, it doesn’t feel that long. That was affirmed by a congregational member during her spouse’s funeral, who introduced me a summer ago (2022) to one of her friends, “I would like you to meet our new pastor.”

Seven years later, I’m still learning and growing, which is the mark of a healthy pastor. However, the demands of the position limit the depth of my study. Also, the schedule of a pastor can be a burden on a family. These are the two primary focuses for me in the upcoming year as I will take a disjointed sabbatical. It will be served in three phases:

1. May 23 – June 22 – I will return for Vacation Bible School and the Week of Camp Wapo.
2. July 13 – July 30 – I will return for the High School Mission trip to New York City, where we will be teaching Vacation Bible School at Advent Lutheran in Manhattan.
3. August 12 – September 14 – I will return for the start of the Fall Programming year.

The idea of a sabbatical has biblical origins. The very root of the word is the same as that of “Sabbath.” Throughout the Old Testament God instructs people to work six days and rest on the seventh. In Leviticus, God instructs people to allow the land to rest every seventh year — meaning no farming, no planting, no harvesting.

Pastors find sabbaticals to be transformative experiences that strengthen and develop the clergy’s ability to serve the congregation.

“We believe both congregations and pastors are strengthened by providing opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for regaining the enthusiasm and creativity for ministry, for discovering what will make the pastor’s heart sing.” (Lilly Endowment).

A well-planned sabbatical includes:

• Spiritual Renewal – I will be attending a variety of churches. Currently I only have the opportunity to do so when on vacation.
• Rest – My phone will be off. As a pastor I am always on call. I go to bed each night making sure my ringer is on in case there is an emergency. My wife will appreciate this luxury. A funny story back before cellphones. The phone outlet was on Nancy’s side of the bed; thus, the phone was on her nightstand. Late one night, actually early morning, I woke up to her on the phone. She said to the person who called, “Well he’s awake now, would you like to talk to him?” I waited to take the phone, but then I heard Nancy continue, “Well, when I’m feeling anxious, I find journalling helps…”
• Education – I have some books in my need to read pile. I have enrolled in The Art of Leadership by Pastor Carey Nieuwhof. It is a yearlong study which I started in January. There are weekly Zoom Learning Sessions, however due to my schedule I’ve only had the opportunity to participate in a few of them. During the sabbatical I look forward to attending more of those along with taking Nine Courses: 

1. Burnout and Productivity
2. Church Growth
3. Giving and Generosity
4.   Leading Change
5.   Online Influence
6.   Outreach
7.   Pastoral Succession
8.   Preaching
9.   Team Leadership

 
Arrangements for Ministry during the Sabbatical

There are several people I need to thank who will be stepping up in my absence.
A Pulpit Supply Team will be commissioned this Sunday: Pastor Steve Olson, Seminary Student Tim Krieg, and members Mollee Erickson and Mark Roberts. Steve is already scheduled to preach and preside at communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

We have an incredible staff. One of the tasks they agreed to is each will write one of the weekly blogs. I look forward to hearing their thoughts and insights. If there is a staff need, Past-President, Mark Bergherr, Chair of the Personnel Committee, has agreed to offer guidance. He is also the one who will determine if there is a need for me to be contacted if necessary.

Pastoral Care will be multi-faceted. Emily Hendricks, Director of Children and Family Ministry has agreed to serve the role of being on call. She has been doing so when I’m on out-of-town. Her role is to direct the point of care. If it is an immediate emergency either Pastor Steve Olson or Seminary Student Tim Krieg will attend to the person. If it is not immediate, but the person would like follow up, Judy Sandeen will attend to the person. If the member is already connected with one of our many Care Team Members, Judy will invite that team member to follow up. In addition, Tim, as a part of his Clinical Pastoral Education, will manage the pastor’s discretionary fund.

I am grateful to be a part of St. Luke’s, a welcoming and growing community of faith, busy making Christ known to the world which in this case is doing so by caring for its pastor.

Thank you again for this opportunity which I believe will be mutually beneficial.

“To engage in a period of renewal and reflection may well be one of the greatest gifts a pastor can give a congregation.” — Bishop Ann Svennungsen, Minneapolis Synod

​Ongoing prayers and blessings, Rob