According to Wikipedia, "the concept of the sabbatical is based on the Biblical practice of shmita, which is related to agriculture. According to Leviticus 25, Jews in the Land of Israel must take a year-long break from working the fields every seven years. A "sabbatical" has come to mean an extended absence in the career of an individual to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or travelling extensively for research." It is intended to be a time of spiritual, emotional, physical and mental refreshment.
Back in the 1980's while serving as a pastor in the Holiness Conference, I was part of a committee that proposed the initial sabbatical program for its pastors. The proposition was passed by the (then) General Conference, but not in time for me as I transitioned to ministry with JEMS.
Through mostly my own choices, I find myself with 35 years of ministry under my belt and no sabbaticals taken. (13 years as a pastor in the Holiness Conference; 8 years in my first season with JEMS; 7 years pastoring in Camarillo; and 12 years with JEMS currently.) My math isn't bad. I spent five years at JEMS overlapping with Camarillo.
I am grateful that JEMS has given me the opportunity to take a brief two month sabbatical/rest break. While I'm not planning to write a book during that time (haha), I will be using that time to address the medical issues related to the fistula (access) that failed and the new fistula that was created on March 12. The new fistula will come to maturity for use at the middle-to-end of May. This will allow me to continue my "normal" dialysis treatments. The break time allows me to become accustomed to needles again, to undergo surgery to remove the catheter from my chest and to slowly adapt to the routine. Non-dialysis days will be spent resting and inviting God's restoration.
In the meantime, I continue to be involved in preaching and ministry outside of JEMS. I was given the opportunity recently to preach at the LA Holiness Church as part of their pulpit rotation. If you'd like to hear a message on the life of Joseph from Genesis 40-41, please listen to the Youtube link below. (It's basically an audio file).
The calendar points ahead to another mission trip to Brazil in September as Pastor Rick Chuman and I travel to meet with pastors and laypeople at the Brazil Holiness denominational gathering in Camp Panorama (approximately 10 hours by bus from São Paulo) and with leaders of other denominations in the city of São Paulo. Please pray as preparations are underway for that key contact.
Your support for Pastor John is appreciated. To make a contribution to his ministry, please visit the funding site here:
