Since graduating from New College (Theology) at Edinburgh University in 1993, I have been working for our church.  16 years later, I get to stop for a few months, withdraw from the demands of work and take time to be replenished, refreshed & restored.

Sabbatical, comes from the word Sabbath, a Hebrew word that means to desist or cease (from work). In his book simply called “The Sabbath“, Abraham Joshua Hershel  writes of the Sabbath:

He who wants to enter the holiness of the day must first lay down the profanity of clattering commerce, of being yoked to toil … He must say farewell to manual work and learn to understand that the world has already been created and will survive without the help of man.

What is true of Sabbath, is true for Sabbatical.  For me, to understand that the world (and the church) has already been created, and will survive without the help of Rupert.  Hard to believe I know, but here is one of the lessons of Sabbatical.

However, contrary to some popular misconceptions, this is not an extended holiday!  I will be taking a couple weeks holiday near Ullapool with the family, but in the main, the next few months are a chance to stop doing the day to day activities of leading a church.  Some, maybe, are wondering what I will be doing with my time, and how I intend making the most of this amazing opportunity.

• I have just got back from a “Transforming Conflict” training course for church leaders, run by the Bridge Builders from the London Mennonite Centre.  I will (try) to blog a bit about some of my reflections in another post.
• I sense that being too goal orientated will detract from what God wants to do in me.  My internal journey  (process) is more important than specific outputs (outcomes).  Withdrawing from work & church gives me a chance to disentangle God and church, Rupert the person from Rupert the Pastor, the Bible from a sermon text, books for personal learning rather than informing my work in church etc.
• I intend having some rhythm over a day & week.  Drawing from monastic traditions, I intend mixing my day & week with prayer (& silence), study (& reading), something physical (walking / gym?) and hospitality (community).
• I am going to base some prayer around daily offices from the Northumbria Community.
• I intend having one day a week out of Edinburgh, to pray.
• I am continuing to meet with a local minister about once a month, who is helping me refine my strengths and calling.
• I would like to meet with a spiritual director during this time, but as yet this is still to be arranged.
• We will not be at our church on Sunday’s during this time, but do intend visiting some other churches around Edinburgh.  It will be interesting to see what they are up to.
• I hope to do a bit of blogging during this time – check in here, to see what I am up to, and learning.
• And I am hoping to do a little less, go out with Pippa a bit (babysitting anyone?), and enjoy not being out so many evenings!

Having said I don’t want to be too outcome focused, I do want to make the most of this time.  So here are some of things I am hoping (and you could be praying !) from this time:

• I want to position myself in a place before the Lord for Him to do His work in me.
• I am looking for clarity and focus concerning my contribution to our church community.
• I am desiring replenishment, seeking to return to church leadership with a greater sense of vigour and energy.
• I intend to do some study on leadership, communication & preaching, church systems & conflict, and the sermon on the mount.
• I would like to do some writing.
• I am hoping that, when as usual I think I can do more than time actually allows, I am kind to myself.