To everything Turn, Turn, Turn

Ecc 3:1  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

Starting October 19th, I will begin a time of Renewal. Some call it a Sabbatical, some call it a leave of absence and some call it an extended vacation. Me, I think it is a time of Renewal. I announced it this last week at the church and if you haven't heard yet, here is the announcement. It is time to take this break and have an opportunity to go and learn, live and be someone other than "Preach." It is not time because I deserve it, earned it or am entitled to it. I am thankful and blessed that the leadership of the church, see this as important to my spiritual growth. I am not "burned out or in a crisis, but I believe that we all need to take some time with God leading the path and let go of the reins.

Pastors often get caught up in sermons, Sunday services, meetings, business issues, technical issues of the service, facility issues, advertisements, denominational involvments, moving furniture and yes even visiting, answering calls and checking on others. Sometimes we are reading and redoing sermon parts right up to the message time. We rarely get to go and be in a service to hear the word of God delivered to us. We miss our friends who are great ministers and during this time, I intend to go and be in the congregation hearing the word of God, enjoying the worship and learning from others. Sometimes the outflow of our lives exceeds the inflow and this is the right time to become inspired by the Holy Spirit.

For those weeks I am relieved of the tasks of DBC. The leadership of the church will take it all on and we will have a person bring the weekly message. I am thankful for being a part of the Association and Glen Rogers who is graciously helping us during this leave. Bob, Steve, Michelle, Rebecca and Chris have graciously encouraged me to take this time an they will be your contact points. I may watch some church services on line from other places and I intend to spend some time visiting and being a part of some great services lead by others. I have some wonderful friends in the ministry that I have never had the opportunity to hear bring the word of God. Mostly I just want to be led by Him during this time. May be I will put my phone on DND, checking it occassionally. I will do the Doghouse service on the November 8th and plan to be back full time on December 6th.

My plan while out is pretty simple. Maybe I will finish that book I started 10 years ago or maybe not. I plan to visit my new granddaughter in San Diego. I am officiating a wedding in WV for the friend of my daughter who has been like my daughter for the past 20 years. I want to bang on some metal to make jewelry, fish a little, magnet fish some and spend some time thinking and praying and seeking His desires. I will not be attending any events or meetings at the church during this time. I want to connect with Him in a way that I can renew my passion ,energy and love for the ministy and for each of you in our congregration now and in the future. Spiritual Inspiration is my prayer.

Much love,

Jim