What’s So Good About Sabbaticals Anyway, Especially for Congregations?

By: The Rev Mark Beatty
Southeastern Synod Compensation Guidelines Team Member

Our synod recommends them for all rostered leaders (pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers under call). Various rostered leaders have taken them. But what’s so good about sabbaticals? Isn’t a sabbatical just extended time off? Don’t rostered leaders already get vacation?
Actually, though a sabbatical involves extended time off, the process and goals of a sabbatical make it so much more than just time away. While vacations are also tremendously important, and many studies support the value of paid time off, sabbaticals are distinctly different.

Besides the extended time of a sabbatical relative to a typical vacation, another difference is that vacation is personal time off, and sabbatical is time apart with a purpose. And here’s where a great benefit to the congregation or agency comes in! That purpose isn’t intended to be solely the rostered person’s individual interests for study or experience during the time of sabbatical, but one that is mutually discerned and also beneficial for the congregation or agency in which the rostered leader serves. So the goal of a good sabbatical benefits both the individual and the community where the individual serves.

For example, several years ago a pastor, whose passion for worship leadership was also matched by her congregation’s focus on both worship and social justice, spent intentional sabbatical time with the Iona Worship Community in Scotland and came back not only refreshed and renewed personally, but through the experience came back to the congregation with new ideas and energy for worship and for social justice in the community. One example that didn’t fly was a request from a pastor to spend an entire sabbatical at the beach with no plan other than a verbal promise to read a book while there. It may have been a great idea for vacation, but sabbaticals are intended to benefit both the person on sabbatical and the community where he/she serves, and not just one or the other.

Another indirect but tremendous benefit of sabbaticals for congregations is that the rostered person is called during sabbatical to have intentional times of rest, of holy Sabbath. How many of us have had a blast on a fun-filled vacation, only to have such a full agenda that by the time we got home (if not before) we realized we needed a vacation from our vacation! A proper sabbatical may involve specific learning, travel, and experiential activities away, but these should be accomplished with the balance of an intentionally reflective pace and intentional rest and renewal along the way. Remember, a big part of sabbatical isn’t how much “stuff” the person can fit in during this time apart, but how well-rested and renewed the person will be upon return to ministry in the community. How beneficial would it be for your congregation to have a rested, renewed, re-charged pastor at the helm? What if you could help pre-empt clergy burn-out in your congregation before it ever happened? These are some of the very goals (and results!) of healthy sabbaticals.

It’s important to acknowledge that sabbaticals also require investment. Congregations and agencies who support sabbaticals are making investments of time and money. There are also benefits here too. One benefit is the commitment of the rostered person to stay in their current call at least one year following the sabbatical. Rostered persons are expected to come back ready for ministry with their congregation or agency, not to “take a break” just prior to seeking another call. It is intended to renew the rostered
person for ministry where they are, and help extend the longevity of calls through this intentional resting, new learning, and re-charging.

Expenses can also be reduced through grants. Some sabbaticals have had solid partial support, and others have actually been fully covered through a grant. It’s not a guarantee, but the possibility is there and various sabbaticals are supported through grants every year!

A fear congregations may have is what will happen in terms of ministry during the rostered person’s time apart. What about the day-to-day ministry needs? How will we do this? One way to handle this is to see it as an opportunity. During a sabbatical, congregations can engage more fully as the Priesthood of All Believers, sharing the ministry and perhaps trying new things that otherwise you may have simply not considered for yourself. It’s a great permission-giving time for various gifts of ministry by laypeople in the congregation or agency due simply to the temporary necessity during sabbatical. It’s also a fairly safe and comfortable way to do this, with the security of knowing that the rostered person will soon return. This can produce a stronger more engaged congregation as well as a re-energized pastor to re-enter ministry together at the end of sabbatical.

These are some of the benefits and opportunities of sabbaticals, not just for rostered persons, but also for the communities they serve. What are your thoughts? Are you someone who has been on sabbatical or are you a member of a congregation or agency that has provided one or more sabbaticals to a rostered person? We would love to hear your stories about what worked, what went well, and also what could make a sabbatical even better both for our rostered leaders and the communities where they serve. Are you thinking about a sabbatical for yourself or for a rostered leader serving in your faith community and have questions? Send us those, as well! You can email me at beattymd@msn.com, email our Compensation Guidelines chair, Pastor Scott Seeke scott@wadintheriver.org, or feel free to leave a comment here. We look forward to hearing from you. 

At Least Two (or More) Sides to Every Story

by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
Assistant to the Bishop, ELCA Southeastern Synod

I (almost) religiously follow the fortunes of the Atlanta Braves.  Because I work a lot of nights, I often have to check out the game reports by computer when I get home or to my hotel if I’m on the road.  On the website I use there is a line score and then a place to click for the “recap,” the written account of the game.  What I find interesting is that there are always two; the Braves’ recap and the other team’s recap.  It’s great fun to read them both.  They are sometimes written by the same person and still it’s often hard to tell that the two stories are about the same game. “Uggla comes through in the clutch with 8^th inning home run.”  “Smith chokes in the 8^th, giving up late homer,” that sort of thing.  Same game; different story.   

There’s a Facebook picture going the rounds with a Sunday School type illustration of Jesus sitting on a rock and speaking to the crowds.  The caption has him saying something like, “Listen closely now.  I don’t want there to be four versions of this floating around.”  That’s pretty funny if you’ve ever noticed how often the gospel writers tell the same story with differing details and occasionally different points. 

Many of us raised in the era of Sgt. Joe Friday and Dragnet, (“Just the facts ma’am, just the facts”) believe there must be a way to get to the bottom of these stories, to establish the pure unvarnished truth.

Others of us are the products of a growing awareness that facts and truth and a straight story are hard to come by.  A lot of modern people assume that every word out of almost everybody’s mouth is “spin,” i.e. the version of the truth that best suits your own purposes or that best matches up with your predetermined ideas about the nature of reality.

This “post-modern” sense that, as my neighbor put it, “everybody’s selling something Padre; you’re selling Jesus,” makes it very difficult for the church to communicate its message to the world around us.  Especially if we try to do it in terms of ultimate “truth claims.” They think we’re selling and most of them aren’t buying.

In his recent book Cities of God, Baylor University Social Sciences Professor Rodney Stark writes a history of the growth of early Christianity using sociological analysis.  He concludes that there has never been a correlation between “doctrinal appeals to a target population,” (truth claims) and actual church growth.  Instead, what researchers discovered was that conversion happened relationally, “By now dozens of close-up studies of conversion have been conducted.  All of them confirm that social networks are the basic mechanism through which conversion takes place.  To convert someone, you must first become that person’s close and trusted friend.”(p.13)

In other words, like my old preaching professor said, “They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” That goes for all of us who try to talk about our faith, not just those of us who stand up and talk in pulpits and classroom.  People will begin to trust our version of the truth, our interpretation of the facts, when they begin to trust us, when they learn that we care more about them as people than we do about them as possible “customers” of our “product.” 

There is of course, one very important truth underlying this whole discussion.  As John said in this past Sunday’s lesson, “God is love,” (I John 4:8) everything else we have to say and do in the world flows from those three short words.  God is love, so God created the world.  God is love, so God sent the Son.  God is love, so the Son died on the cross.  God is love, so the Son was brought back to life. God is love, so we are filled with the Spirit.  God is love, so we love one another.  God is love, so we love the “others” all around us.  And, in the midst of all that love, sometimes truth happens. 

Amen and amen.

For All In High Places

Preface:  Bishop Julian Gordy, ELCA-Southeastern Synod

Now that both American political parties have a "presumptive candidate," the debate rhetoric is heating up. If the past is any indication, we are set to hear months of bragging, condemnation and overblown rhetoric that would make Pharaoh blush. It's the one part of the democratic process this self-confessed political junkie can't abide. As something of an antidote to what's coming, let me share with you this article by Pr. Frank Honeycutt from the newsletter of St. John's Lutheran Church in Walhalla, SC.

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FOR ALL IN HIGH PLACES

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions…” 1 Timothy 2:1-2a

In six months it will be time to vote for a president in the United States of America. Have you made up your mind yet? Made a decision between Barack and Mitt? This is about the time we enter into all the name-calling, mud-slinging, military service reviewing rhetoric regurgitated out of the various political camps. Accusation followed by denial. Counter-accusation followed by counter-denial. And on and on, ad nauseam.

I saw a bumper-sticker recently that said, “God Is Not A Republican.” It was followed closely by the phrase, “Or A Democrat.” You will not see campaign literature adorning any Lutheran narthex across this land. Lutheran pastors will not stand in a pulpit and tell you how to vote, parading one candidate as morally superior to another—God’s Anointed One for America. We can all be thankful for this.

Way back in the 16th century, Martin Luther did not counsel Christians to stick their heads in the sand until Jesus returned. Brother Martin would not have been a strict proponent of the separation of church and state; that the two had nothing to do with one another. The “two kingdoms,” as he called them, had everything to do with each other. Christians, however, were clearly warned to make sure they knew which kingdom took priority—from whom we receive our true marching orders.

And so we vote; we work for human rights; we care about homelessness and joblessness, fair wages, immigration reform, and racism. But we dare not confuse our true homeland, the Kingdom of God, for a particular country or certain political platform. I find it interesting that presidential candidates are often referred to with superlatives that should make most people blush, that the Bible reserves only for the divine. Which candidate, we’re asked to decide, will make us feel more secure? Less worried and fearful? More confident about the future?

It doesn’t matter whether you support Obama or Romney or whether you’re on the fence. Our security and our future do not really reside in these men. Our security and future are safe with God alone. Maybe this is an obvious statement, but maybe not if you listen to the campaign ads. Presidential candidates are not gods. As we have seen so many times before, they are fallible, sinful, flawed human beings—just like the rest of us.

You know what would be wonderfully refreshing and would really get my attention as a Christian voter? Confession. Humility. Weakness. An honest admission that no one person, no one party, no one historical era can do it all. Too often the conversation slides dangerously close to bold claims that Christians have historically reserved for God alone.

Long ago, St. Paul mailed a letter of advice to his young colleague, Timothy, serving a congregation in Ephesus. Those church members had splintered into a variety of beliefs, convictions, and factions (as we are still wont to do). Timothy’s assignment was to help the congregation return to the basics. Paul, the veteran missionary, advises this young pastor: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.”

In many ways, this is remarkable advice. For to pray for “kings and all in high positions” meant that prayers were to be offered for the very person who was capable of squashing out the church with his thumb. There was much confusion between royalty and divinity in Paul’s day. The word “Caesar,” for example, literally means “god.” But maybe that is precisely the point. Today we pray for a presidential candidate’s humility and personal confession, so that their perceived power may never be confused with God’s. Then as now, Christians pray for those “in high positions” so that their work might be God-infused, filled with a passion for God’s justice and God’s peace.

So yes, pray for kings and presidential candidates and “all in high places.” But remember: for Christians, there is only one king in the “highest place.”

And his name is neither Mitt nor Barack.

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Frank Honeycutt is pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Walhalla, SC, and is the author of numerous books including Marry a Pregnant Virgin, Sanctified Living and The Truth Shall Make You Odd.

Names and Places

by the Rev. Darrel Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop
Southeastern Synod

In the thirty-second chapter of Genesis, we read the account of how Jacob wrestled with God.  At daybreak the struggle ends.  Jacob is advised by his opponent that from that day, he will be known as Israel, “for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed”.  Jacob then called the place, Peniel, saying, “for I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved”.  Israel became the name of God’s nation, with the names of the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob)  becoming the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Bible is full of names and places that are rooted in descriptive meanings.  Reading the scriptures and traveling in the historic Holy land places provide a steady diet of names that resonate with images and stories.  Bethlehem means “house of bread”.  Bethlehem is known as the city of David, King David’s hometown.  Mary Magdalene was from the little town of Magdalene near the Sea of Galilee.  There is John the Baptist and Joseph of Arimathea.

Many of our Lutheran churches in America bear names found in the Holy Scriptures.  There are lots of Bethlehems,  several  Bethanys, a few Gethsemenes, and Mount of Olives. We have a historic church in our Southeastern Synod named Jerusalem.   There are lots of apostle names, St Matthew, St Luke, St Mark and St John, even a few St Thomases.

There are tons of Grace, Faith and Hope churches, not many Loves.  ( I served a church named Holy Love and we heard our share of jokes as to whether we were really something else.)  There are Trinitys and Holy Trinitys.  There are Atonements, Incarnations, Resurrections, Ascensions, Redeemers and Nativitys.  There are Holy Crosses and Good Shepherds , and lots of names including Christ and Lord. 

In our Lutheran Church, we have our share of Scandinavian place names, names like the Swedish Fahlun, and the Norwegian Jevnaker.  The Baptists outnumber us in place names, but we do have Shady Lane Lutheran and Peachtree Road Lutheran.

But it gets better.  There is THE hallowed church name, FIRST!  It may be that First has something to do with our egotistical, fallible nature.  One thing is certain, over the years, it has been a favorite.  Would that there might be a Last Lutheran!

Earlier I mentioned  Peniel, which is a very Biblical place name, meaning “seeing God face to face”.  One of our Eithiopian congregations has chosen that name.  Many would look at that Biblical name as being obscure and strange.  It is a very meaningful Biblical name.

What is in a name?  Our Jewish forebearers  avoided using God’s name directly, out of respect. Western culture avoids the name, Jesus, as a given name.  Other cultures readily use the name of Jesus as a given name. 

Parents choose names for their children, sometimes trendy, sometimes obscure.   Church Mission developers often have the privilege of choosing the name for their congregations.  Names are special.  If and when you have the privilege to provide a name, do it well!    

Lean on Me

by Rachel Alley
Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

"Lean on Me” was the theme of the Alassippi 2012 Youth Gathering held at the Gulf Shores Christian Retreat Center March 23-25. Our theme verse was “we love, because He first loved us.”  Youth from Alabama and Mississippi were invited to attend.  

We started the weekend swimming in the pool at the retreat center.  The water was a little chilly but refreshing! On Saturday morning, everyone pitched in to fix an awesome breakfast,  then we started our sessions learning how to be Peer Ministers.  Peer Ministry is a method of teaching youth how to be welcoming, inviting, and then how to be good listeners.   In the coming weeks a movie about bullying will be released.   Our goal was to equip peer ministers to counteract bullying by reaching out to those who are bullied.  Why?  Because Jesus loved us, we should love others.

In the afternoon, we slipped out to the beach for a scavenger hunt. Winners of the scavenger hunt received plaques for their youth room.  On Saturday evening we finished up our Peer Ministry sessions.  We closed with singing the song “Lean on Me” and discussing how important is as a Christian to be available to others going through difficult times.  Pastor Marcia Shumate Shultz from Bethel in Biloxi, MS, taught the youth about parts of worship, there was a practice session, and then there was an amazing youth-led worship!  Everyone took part.

We closed the evening dancing, including some line dances and Zumba moves. All weekend, the youth took turns leading blessings and prayers and helping in the kitchen.  Many thanks to all the adults who helped plan the event.  Unfortunately, Sunday came all too soon and we had to clean up, pack up, and head home but not before lots of hugs and “see you next year's” were shared.  

Lean on Me

by Rachel Alley
Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

"Lean on Me” was the theme of the Alassippi 2012 Youth Gathering held at the Gulf Shores Christian Retreat Center March 23-25. Our theme verse was “we love, because He first loved us.”  Youth from Alabama and Mississippi were invited to attend.  

We started the weekend swimming in the pool at the retreat center.  The water was a little chilly but refreshing! On Saturday morning, everyone pitched in to fix an awesome breakfast,  then we started our sessions learning how to be Peer Ministers.  Peer Ministry is a method of teaching youth how to be welcoming, inviting, and then how to be good listeners.   In the coming weeks a movie about bullying will be released.   Our goal was to equip peer ministers to counteract bullying by reaching out to those who are bullied.  Why?  Because Jesus loved us, we should love others.

 In the afternoon, we slipped out to the beach for a scavenger hunt. Winners of the scavenger hunt received plaques for their youth room.  On Saturday evening we finished up our Peer Ministry sessions.  We closed with singing the song “Lean on Me” and discussing how important is as a Christian to be available to others going through difficult times.  Pastor Marcia Shumate Shultz from Bethel in Biloxi, MS, taught the youth about parts of worship, there was a practice session, and then there was an amazing youth-led worship!  Everyone took part.

We closed the evening dancing, including some line dances and Zumba moves. All weekend, the youth took turns leading blessings and prayers and helping in the kitchen.  Many thanks to all the adults who helped plan the event.  Unfortunately, Sunday came all too soon and we had to clean up, pack up, and head home but not before lots of hugs and “see you next year's” were shared.  

The mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus we celebrate this Triduum is not just another thing we Christians believe. It is the very center of our faith. Everything hinges on it. The stakes are high. Very high. 

“If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain...If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins and those who have died in Christ have perished,” St. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15. That’s about as stark as it gets. 

But, if Jesus is raised, if his death and resurrection offer us abundant life, then we are free to live, free to take a risk and do the things that we believe we should do. If Jesus is raised, this side of death can be a resurrection party because ultimately, we have nothing to fear. 

St. Paul goes on, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” He wrote those words to people who were being ostracized and even asked to die for their faith. What fools they are if this life is all there is.

But. . . But, if Jesus is raised from the dead, if what we believe and teach is true, we are free people. Free to take a risk. Free to do something worthwhile, whatever it costs. Free to live the upside down way Jesus taught us. 

There is no proof of resurrection. Evidence is hard to find. There is no proof, but there is the promise. The promise that life will win out over death, that we - you and I - shall not die, but live. The promise that the risen Lord lives with us. Now.  Here. In  our communities, in the meal we share at Christ’s table, in the ones counted least by the world. The Risen One is with us now, here, in this life. 

There is no proof, but there is the promise, and it is a promise to stake your life on. 

+ H. Julian Gordy
Bishop
ELCA Southeastern Synod