What is he doing...?

Starting last week, I've been on study leave, which turns out to be an uncomfortable place for me and for a lot of other people. Let my explain:

For the last few years, I've taken some time each summer during the slow part of the ministry year to unplug from the day-to-day ministry, meetings, counseling, preparing a message for the weekend and speaking on Sundays. The purpose of these changes in schedule are to allow me to get caught up on the reading and studying it takes to keep moving our ministry forward, and to try to get ahead on some stuff, whether that would be looking at issues our church will be facing, or planning message series. The goal is to pull to the side of the road, make some 'needed repairs', then pull back on and keep charging hard toward the goals of our church family.

Some have asked where the idea of a study leave comes from. When I was hired 12 1/2 years ago, my contract included a sabbatical around the 7th year of my ministry. For a number of different reasons, that didn't happen that year, or the next, or the next. Finally, after a couple of aborted attempts, the leadership of the church floated a compromise - instead of me taking a 3 month break one time, lets try having me take a shorter break more often. The idea of letting me get my batteries charged was balanced against the idea of not having me around at all for a full quarter. Other pastors I know have used this plan to good effect in their churches, and it provides some opportunities for other leaders to step up and for the church to try new things while their pastor (in this case, me!) gets some fresh fuel for the fight.

Of course, not everything we do makes everyone happy. Turns out, God can't make everyone happy, so why am I always surprised when I can't? Some folks have said that they think my study leave is another name for a vacation. This could not be further from the truth. I spend my time (at least as many hours as during my 'regular schedule' per week) reading, studying, praying, preparing and thinking about ministry. I try to avoid all of those things on a vacation. This year, I made some more specific goals for myself as a way to show more accountability for the time I spend on study leave, and it includes reading 5 books and planning the message series from August thru the end of November. I'm also taking just 3 weeks this time instead of the usual four. While this is a break from some of what I do all the time, it is also a time designated for specific work to get done. If you want to see the full list of goals and objectives for this year's study leave, drop me an e-mail and I'll shoot you one.

Let me speak to another issue that has been raised about me taking study leave. Some folks apparently think that it shows a lack of commitment on my part to be away from the office for a time. The implication is that I'm using this time to find another church, or that I don't want to be in Pocatello any more. Let me make this plain: I AM NOT LEAVING FIRST BAPTIST POCATELLO!! I love what God has built here, I love the people that God has brought together to minister to this valley, I love the potential that we have together in Christ, and I love that we are poised to take our next quantum leap forward in ministry! I wouldn't trade this for anything! I am committed to this ministry heart, soul, mind and strength. I happily bring the majority of my time, the bulk of my talents and more than my full tithe to this church (even when I'm not in church on Sunday), and give to the Work the Land campaign without exception, because I see what God is building in us as a church family, and I want to be a part of what He wants to do next in the greater Pocatello-Chubbuck metroplex.

Because I am so committed to being a part of what God wants to do here, I do everything I can to increase my skills, sharpen my gifts and focus my attention on what God is calling me to be and calling us to be. I take this time very seriously, I work hard and I let God speak to me about what we are up against and what needs work in my life and in our life together. I take this study time in order to refresh and prepare for the long haul of the ministry year. I believe it shows my commitment to getting in and staying in ministry shape. I never want to quit growing as a person and as a Christ-follower, because I've seen what a burned-out pastor can do to a church. You deserve my best, God deserves my best, and I take this time in order to give my best.

I know that not everyone gets this kind of change of pace in their work life, and I get that. I don't take this for granted, and I hope you know I will work hard to make this the most productive time it can possibly be. I also hope you understand that what a pastor does is different than most 'jobs' in the world, and that this is one way of helping me cope with all that comes with this calling and profession that God has put in my life.

Later, I'll post a review of the books I'm reading so you can check up on me and see if I'm really learning anything. :)

Pray for me during this time, and know that I am certainly praying for you.