It’s early Friday morning.

I’m currently uploading my last sermon before leaving on sabbatical. We filmed Wednesday ready for this Sunday because we’re still under heavy restrictions here in the Yukon. (More about that later.)

After 7+ years of pastoral ministry at Mountainview Church, I’ll be taking an extended time of sabbath rest and spiritual renewal. Just over 3 months to reflect and refocus on my calling as a pastor. Before I leave, I wanted to write a post to say thank you.

• Thank you for supporting my ministry for the past 7 years (and for some of you, the past couple of decades).
• Thank you for supporting my family, loving Nicole and our boys, and praying for us.
• Thank you for journeying through significant times of change, both congregationally and culturally.
• Thank you for sticking with me, through times of conflict, times when I’ve misstepped, and times when I’ve failed.
• Thank you for giving me this blessing of rest and renewal, to refresh my heart for pastoral ministry
• Thank you for giving me this opportunity to seek the Lord’s wisdom for the next 7 years of pastoral leadership.

What’s a Pastoral Sabbatical?

I realize that depending on your church background, the idea of a pastoral sabbatical may be a new concept. Not all pastors receive this opportunity. If you’d like to know more, click the links below. I’m sure you’ll find these articles and research helpful!

• SmartChurchManagement.com – 6 Benefits of a Clergy Sabbatical Leave
• VanderBloemen.com – Sabbaticals Critical To Avoiding Burnout
• PastorSoul.com – Make Your Pastor Take a Sabbatical
• MinistryAdvice.com – Pastoral Sabbatical

Sabbatical during COVID?

Believe me; it was not the plan, nor my preference to be under restriction as I leave for sabbatical. To leave our church while still doing online / at-home gatherings is not an optimal situation. I envisioned leaving our church COVID and restriction-free, but that’s just not going to happen.

I’ve had to come to terms with the possibility that this less-than-optimal situation might actually be good for me. I am being forced to trust! I have to trust that God’s timing is perfect. And that well-known Proverb hits home for me.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Special Thanks

I’d like to specifically thank our Mountainview Staff, Ministry Leaders, Board and Elders; all of whom take their relationships with Christ, and their commitments to our church very seriously. I have full confidence in their knowledge and abilities to keep our mission and vision moving forward while I’m away. We truly have a great team!

I will return to pastoral ministry on Sunday, May 15th; Lord willing in-person, unmasked, and embracing (or at least handshaking)! I’ll pray to that end…how amazing that would be!

Peace,
Pastor Jeremy