Sabbatical musings | August 26, 2016
I can’t begin to thank you enough for this summer’s sabbatical. You’ve been more than gracious in granting it and so encouraging in walking me through it. I’m keenly aware that it takes a village for me to step aside for ten weeks. Pastor Danielle and our entire staff did a fantastic job — so much so that a common response has been, “Oh, have you left yet?” I love it. It shows such great teamwork a
nd camaraderie, and allowed me to disappear without a worry in the world.
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| Creek walking in Paraiso, Costa Rica |
Thanks also to our many volunteers who have stepped up to the plate. Sure, church activities slow during the summer, but worship, pastoral care, and day-to-day business keeps moving along. Pastors Linda Voelker, Geoffrey Hoy, and Leonard Bolick were such blessings, as were the many office volunteers and church leaders who didn’t miss a beat. Thank you!
A sabbatical is a unique opportunity, without a doubt. Teachers and professors have long understood its value as a necessary time of separation and rest. McDonald’s now requires an eight week sabbatical every ten years. REI, the camping retailer, offers a four week sabbatical, and Hallmark employees can apply for up to six months of sabbatical leave. Business journals are quickly jumping on the bandwagon, calling it an important way to rejuvenate employees and bridge the gap between work and life.
I’ll be the first to admit that I wish everyone, everywhere would have the chance to step aside for focused and extended time off. That’s unlikely in our current work culture, in which American employees working full time in the same field for five years average only 11.9 days of paid vacation, compared to the 24 paid vacation days German law requires for all employees.
Without a doubt, there would be significant challenges for independent and small businesses to work through the complexities associated with a sabbatical policy … but it’s still a good idea that would make an enormous difference in our employees’ health, energy, and longevity.
After all, God established work as a blessing, not a burden. When Adam and Eve were asked to care for the garden, they accepted their new job as a grace-filled opportunity to co-manage a part of God’s creation. They understood what we oftentimes forget: our work matters.
But without proper rest, we become exhausted and lose sight of our own grace-filled opportunity to co-manage our part of the garden.
Thank you for this time to refresh and rejuvenate … to spend precious time with my family … to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Costa Rica … to take the best continuing education class I’ve ever taken (more on that later) … and to be reminded of how very fortunate I am to help lead this remarkable congregation. I missed being with you, but will be ever-thankful for this very special and blessed summer.
Peace+
Pastor Rhodes
