SABBATICAL - REPLENISHING THE SEED

Above the desk in my home study hangs a print of Van Gogh’s painting called The Sower. I don’t know if the artist had the parable Jesus tells in the gospels in mind when he painted several versions of the painting. That is, I have to say, one of the things that draws me to this painting.

The Sower in the 4th chapter of Mark is a careless farmer, scattering valuable seeds on every surface available, even places like the roadbed and the weeds where it seems likely to be wasted. The supply of seeds is abundant and endless. Jesus has plenty of good news to share and will sow it everywhere until it takes root.  

My mission statement for many years has been: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who don’t know they need him and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who can’t live without him. That is how I answer the call to sow the gospel as Jesus did. We are called to imitate Christ in our unique ways.  This is my way of being a Sower of the gospel.  

This is not to say that anyone would confuse me with Jesus! I am not as relentless or tireless as our Savior. Nor do I have a bottomless bag of seeds. My seed bag empties, and it needs to be filled by the one who created everything. Every pastor who is honest struggles to share the gospel every moment even as we run out of seed.  

This coming Sunday, July 14, will be my last Sunday with you for 12 weeks. I’m stepping away to get my supply of seed refilled by the God of grace. I give thanks that the congregation provides a sabbatical policy and that The Congregation Council has approved my sabbatical to begin on July 15, 2024, and conclude on October 5, 2024. The sabbatical policy of the congregation was in place when I was called. It allows clergy to take 60 days after 5 years of service or 90 days (12 weeks) after 7 years. 

We have covered a lot of ground over the last few years. I’ve been privileged to lead the congregation through the pandemic, the retirement of Pastor Pam, the calling of Pastor Travis, a major reorganization including the establishment of a new planning process, and most recently a major capital campaign that has surpassed our goals. Leadership in the future requires a renewal, a recharge, and a time of re-vision.  

During my absence, Pastor Travis will assume all pastoral duties and primary leadership of the staff. He will be supported by the best church staff I know. He will have the wisdom and support of our most senior staff leader, David Fandrich. Love Notes will continue each day using some new material and some “reruns.” The Annual Plan for 2024.2025 will be in place before to guide the staff and leadership during the period. I’m fairly certain that most days, you won’t even know I’m gone. 

I will begin my sabbatical with a silent directed retreat at the Creighton University Retreat Center near Griswold, Iowa.  Cyndi and I will be traveling to the Poconos and Black Hills. I will be gardening, catching up on a mountain of reading, trying to write, and working on my physical health. Mostly, I’ll be asking God to fill me up with the grace that sustains us all. 

Pax Christi, Tim Olson – Lead Pastor