I remember the feeling well, as a newly qualified teacher each time a term came to a close. The exhaustion, the limited brain space and the longing for a break. I also remember the worry (just over seven years ago) of moving out of a familiar rhythm of primary school, secondary school, university and teaching where life was lived in 6 week chunks. I was worried about the lack of regular holidays and change in lifestyle moving into pastoral ministry.
Now I, and many pastors too, face a different challenge. Working, worshipping, friendship, family and ministry all rolled into one beautifully adventurous, chaotic, exciting and sometimes taxing life working for our church.
As I write this, I remember the new 23 year old pastor sitting in the office across the corridor trying to make sense of what a life working in ministry is about. What it should look like. How I should create healthy divides between work and home.
In reality, the last 7 years have seen magnificent highs and some sorrowful lows. I have seen my own children born into a big welcoming family, arriving early and leaving late every Sunday. I have experienced journeying with families grieving, individuals celebrating and all the other bits in between. I have had 3 sets of different, but equally as special, Senior Pastors. It has been, and will continue to be, one of the biggest privileges I could imagine.
However, in the midst of the rollercoaster ride, rest and recuperation are not only important, but vital, in pastoral ministry. In the privilege of walking with people in their highs and lows comes your own emotional journey too. No wonder we are told right at the beginning of scripture, in Genesis 2, how God set a precedent for rest…
‘God finished the work he was doing, so on the seventh day he rested from his work. God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day. He made it special because on that day he rested from all the work he did while creating the world.’
(Genesis 2:2-3 ERV)
I am blessed and encouraged that Julian and Libby, along with our trustees, have encouraged me and enabled me to take a 3 month sabbatical starting in mid April. Rest will be on the agenda, as well as fun, a change in rhythm and an opportunity for new things to spring in my life, the life of my family and the life of our church. Stepping back in sabbatical gives others the chance to step into new spaces - it gently challenges the status quo. Sabbatical also allows for me to visit other churches, get a feel for their ministries and bring back to Sutton Vineyard ideas sculpted and shaped by the Lord. For me during this sabbatical, I feel the spiritual and emotional need for quiet. For God to do new things, headspace in nature, opportunities for spontaneity and a restful soul are necessary. We read in Psalm 62…
‘Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.’
(Psalm 62:1, 5-6 NIV)
I pray that you, too, can find pockets of rest in your upcoming months. As winter turns to spring and summer, I pray for opportunities for the Lord to do new things in you, plant in you new dreams, resurrect buried ones and speak joy into your souls. I pray that you feel the fortress of the Lord surrounding you, protecting you and rooting you in Him.
I will be around most Sundays during my sabbatical, enjoying worshipping with you all and still serving once a month on our Kids’ ministry. Several wonderful leaders will be stepping in to cover my responsibilities and Julian and Libby will be on hand for any questions in my absence.
I leave with you the gift of a song that has spoken to me on my journey towards my sabbatical - may it refresh your soul as it has done mine.
With love,
Hannah