Ned’s Sabbatical
As many of you know by now, I will be taking a sabbatical from my pastoral and ministry responsibilities for the last half of 2009 (July through December). This will encompass the entirety of what I presently carry as the senior pastor of Christ Community Church, the president of the ARC, and the leader of Whitewater Ministries. I’d like to fill out that picture for you a bit in this letter and also solicit your prayers.
Over the past eight years, I have carried more as the ARC lead guy while continuing as CCC’s senior pastor. That took some adjustment for all of us. As my foreign and national travel schedule increased, there were new challenges regarding time and gift distribution. Five years ago, the plot thickened. I was led by God to start Whitewater Ministries, an outreach to pastors, elders and leadership teams of small to medium-sized churches. The leaders of CCC saw this as a move of the Spirit and graciously released me and sent me as an extension of the mission of CCC to the Body of Christ. I remain grateful for their sensitivity to Christ’s call to use His investment in me as He willed.
But God’s call to CCC to move forward in its corporate calling and mission has not diminished. In fact, it has picked up holy steam. The leadership team has done a great job responding to the initiatives of the Spirit, but it has become increasingly evident that someone fully dedicated in gifting and time is needed to lead CCC into fulfilling that mission. I can’t be that guy while continuing to expend time and gifting outward.
We determined (through prayer, discussion and outside input) that for CCC to achieve a clear transition to a new missional focus, that it would require my departure for a season and a redefinition of my place and responsibilities upon my return. My absence fits a “less is more” perspective—less of my presence in my previous role makes more room for different gifts to emerge that otherwise might be hindered.
From a personal standpoint, it has also become apparent that I must stop for a season and replenish. I’ve been reasonably diligent about shorter sabbatical patterns for these 34 years of full-time ministry, but I’ve never had this kind of gift of time. So please remember me in your prayers during this season. The Holy Spirit is inviting me to rediscover Jesus and I have a hunch that the Helper will help me on that path. I’m also confident that all the people and groups I’ve connected to will benefit from my absence. It becomes a season for Jesus to reclaim every heart for Himself. We appreciate our under-shepherds, but the Chief Shepherd is preeminent and periodically helps us to get that more clearly situated in our souls.
Thanks in advance for your prayers,
Ned