Why do Christians sometimes treat each other so badly?

Why do Christians sometimes treat each other so badly?

I'll be honest, that's a question I have struggled with for most of my Christian life. It's been the only issue that has ever caused me to doubt or question my faith.

I became a Christian in the context of unrest in our local church, which caused great hurt to many and eventually led to my parents leaving. As a young Christian I struggled to make sense of what I witnessed, in particular the way Christians I knew seemed to turn against one another.

25 years on, now as a pastor, the question - and the struggle - refuses to go away.

I am blessed to serve a church family full of gospel-hearted people who are committed to loving others and displaying Jesus' grace in their words, works and witness. However as a pastor I also regularly come into contact with professing Christians who seem to think that attacking other believers is par for the course ('defending the truth') or whose consciences seem to remain untroubled by a critical spirit or even open resentment towards other believers.

Why is this?

How can those adopted into God's family sometimes treat brothers and sisters like enemies?
How can those who have been reconciled with God fall out with each other?
How can those who pray together end up preying on each other?

These are questions most Christians ask at some point in their lives, usually when they witness - or worse experience - conflict in the church or with other Christians. These times often leave us with memories that trouble us and, if left unchecked, can  disillusion us.

Because behind these questions is a much deeper one: does being a Christian actually make any difference? Does Christianity 'work'?

If God's Spirit doesn't transform my attitude towards those I disagree with; if being a new creation doesn't give me a new approach to conflict; if being a child of God doesn't affect my relationships with other members of God's family... doesn't that call into question the authenticity of the gospel?

CG and TD

A few years ago I was at a pastors' conference in which Tim Keller - Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York - was speaking. As a prominent and influential Christian leader, Keller knows what it's like to be the target of gracelessness. During his talk he addressed the question of why Christians can sometimes treat each other so badly. I've never forgotten his succinct answer:

'Common Grace explains why some Non-Christians aren't as bad as they could be; Total Depravity explains why some Christians aren't as good as they should be.'

And there it is in a nutshell: CG and TD.

Common Grace explains why some non-Christians aren't as bad as they could be

Human beings were created in God's image. In many ways we have the capacity to be like him. When a person is kind, generous, loving, sacrificial and selfless we see a glimpse of the image of God that remains like a watermark within us. While sin has shattered God's image, the fragments are still there and sometimes reflect his character. God has not allowed sin to distort his image completely.

This is one of the marks of what theologians call 'common grace'. Whether a person believes in God or not, he is good to all of creation.

Despite our rebellion, God continues to sustain life and sends the rain and the sun on both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt 5:44-45). He gives  those who deny he exists, gifts and abilities and blesses them with a measure of happiness and fulfilment. He gives societies who do not acknowledge him, peace and stability and prosperity.

And he also restrains the effect of sin in our lives and allows even those who don't believe in him to flourish as genuinely good people.

Common grace explains why  many non-Christians are better than some Christians!

However, while God's image within us means we have the capacity to do good, the Bible also teaches that sin has infected every part of our being and therefore we have the capacity to do evil as well.

This is a principle theologians call 'total depravity' and it explains why genuine Christians can sometimes act so badly towards each other.

Total Depravity explains why some Christians aren't as good as they should be

Sin has affected every part of our being: our intellect, our emotions, our desires, our goals, our motives, our heart, even our physical bodies. While we are not as bad as we could be, by nature we have an innate tendency to veer towards sin.

Christians are born again by God's Spirit. We are made new creatures by an act of regeneration in our hearts. However while this frees us from the power and penalty of sin, it doesn't free us from sin's presence. Like a sacked boss working out his notice, sin no longer has authority over us, but that doesn't mean we're rid of it's influence in our lives.

In Galatians 5, Paul says Christians therefore need to fight a daily battle against indwelling sin. We should no longer be controlled by our sinful natures, but by God's Spirit (5:16). However, he also makes it clear that if we so choose, we can  indulge our sinful natures (5:13), gratify it's desires (5:16), and sow to please it (6:8). While Jesus broke sin's hold over us when he died and rose again, we can choose to let sin rule over us.

Which explains why some Christians are more ungracious, more intolerant and more unloving than many non-Christians.

Am I as good as I should be?

To a certain extent every growing Christian will feel they are not what they should be. Paul wouldn't have had to tell the Galatians not to use their freedom to indulge their sinful natures if they were perfect.

Which is where this question comes home to roost.

Paul's instructions in Galatians 5:13-18 get right to the heart of how we should treat other Christians - especially those we fall out with:

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (Galatians 5:13-18)

Paul says  the opposite of indulging our sinful nature is serving one another in love. 

The mark of a spirit-filled man or woman is therefore how they serve and love other believers, especially those they disagree with. 

A believer who continues to live according to the sinful nature will live in conflict with other Christians. But a believer who lives by the Spirit, will show that by the way he serves and loves those Christians he struggles with. While our natural tendency is to avoid those we don't get on with, a Spirit-filled man or woman will seek out those they don't get on with in order to show them love.

Paul then goes on to list the acts of the sinful nature, many of which involve broken or distorted relationships: 'hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy' (5:20-21).

Whereas in contrast, the fruit of a Spirit-filled life are all characteristics that heal broken relationships: 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control' (5:22-23).

The right question is therefore not  'Why do Christians sometimes treat each other so badly?' - but rather 'How can I treat my fellow Christians better?'

And the answer of the Apostle Paul is simple: 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal 5:24-25)

How can we do that in practice? 

Let's be clear: it is not a natural thing to love those who don't like us - it's a supernatural thing. That's why we need the help of God's Spirit!

Which is why prayer is a good first port of call.

It sounds so simple, but I've found the most helpful thing I can do when it comes to loving and serving those I struggle with, is to simply pray that God would bless them.

I pray that God would give them joy and delight in him. I pray that God would prosper them in their families, workplaces, ministries and personal devotions. I pray that God would answer their prayers and help them to grow in their faith and that they would know his smile on their lives. I pray he would shower his blessings on them so that they are overwhelmed! (Get the idea?)

And you know what I've found?

It's really difficult to harbour resentment or animosity or bitterness towards someone I'm praying God would bless!

I find that a love starts to grow in my heart towards them. I find a new desire to serve them and help them starts to blossom. I find the wrong attitudes or self-indulgent bitterness I've nurtured against them begin to melt away. I find forgiveness comes a little easier. I find I start feeling the need to DO something to bless them!

Are you struggling to love another Christian? Is there a history that you haven't been able to let go? Are there unforgiven issues that you need to deal with?

Why not put them in your Intensive Prayer Unit for a season?

You never know what God's Spirit might do in your heart, as well as theirs.

Am I a Consumer Christian?

During the last couple of months, while I've been on sabbatical, my family and I have visited a number of other churches. (8 different churches so far).

It's been an interesting experience from which I've learnt a lot, particularly from rediscovering the experience of being a visitor with young children. In a future post I may write something about this.

However the most significant thing I've noticed during this time is how easy it is to slip into approaching church as a consumer.

The more I've thought about it, the more I've become convinced how destructive and damaging this approach is, not only to the church community itself but also to the cause of Christ.

What has concerned me even more is that I've also become convinced that this is the dominant way most Christians - of all ages - approach church today. And that's bad because a consumer approach to church is sinful.

Yes, I did just use the 's' word.

Because a consumer approach to church couldn't be further away from the Bible's understanding of what it means to be part of a community of God's people.

Being a consumer is inherently self-seeking and therefore at odds with Jesus' model of self-giving. As a consumer I go to church for what it offers me, but the Apostle Paul said that true worship involves offering ourselves to God.

'Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' (Romans 12:1-2)

As I've examined my own heart I've found it helpful to contrast the consumer vs Christlike approach. I trust what follows will be as much a spur and challenge to you as it has been to me.

When I approach church as a consumer...

I come to be satisfied. I am at the centre of the 'experience'. My needs, expectations, desires, preferences, tastes, hobby-horses and opinions become priorities and so I am vocal about them.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to bless, encourage and spur others on. My priority is what Jesus desires and so his command to love others trumps my own desires and preferences and so I am vocal in expressing gratitude.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I come as a critic, assessing and judging the quality of the welcome, ambiance, music, sermon, coffee and _______ (fill in as appropriate) according to my preferences.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to edify others. I look for the good in everything and everyone. I overlook imperfections, spur on those who are growing in their gifts and treat issues of preference or disagreement with grace.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I come to be served. I expect others to meet my needs. I expect the service or activities or pastor to tick all my boxes. If not, I may decide to complain to the management or to fellow consumers.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to serve. I realise God has given me gifts to build others up and I consider it a privilege to use them. I am concerned to meet the needs of others and  my focus is on fulfilling the role has given me in the Body of Christ.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I come to be entertained. I do not want to be challenged or - God forbid - rebuked. I expect to be uplifted, stirred, moved and affirmed. To be bored is a cardinal sin. To be offended even worse.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to grow. I expect to be challenged by the ministry because I know I am a self-deceiving sinner and my greatest need is to be sanctified and made more like Jesus. I humbly accept the diet God chooses to give me from his Word through those who minister to me.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I come as an individual. Interacting with others is an inconvenient necessity. I therefore don't hang around long after meetings, or if I do, I only speak with a small circle of friends. I am uncomfortable with small groups because they involve participation, scrutiny and close personal contact.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to be part of a community. While at times I find it challenging, I count it a privilege to be part of a fellowship of diverse people with whom I can share my life. I welcome the accountability and scrutiny that comes from close contact with members of a small group and I seek to be an active participant in one, praying for and pastoring others.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I attend, but I don't commit. I prefer the fringe to the core. I prefer to spectate rather than participate. I pick and choose the meetings I attend. I cannot be relied upon to turn up. I do not willingly volunteer, take on responsibility or contribute to church life.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I commit myself to my brothers and sisters and show this by my attendance and attitude to service. I embrace my calling to be a partner and co-worker with them for the gospel and I do whatever I can to support church initiatives. I therefore give sacrificially of my time, energy and money.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I come to be ministered to. I expect the church leaders and pastor to service me. I expect them to visit me, know all about me, have time for me whenever I require them, and be skilled in offering spiritual tlc. If they don't fulfil this, then I feel my rights have been infringed.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I come to minister to others. I recognise that there will be many unknown and unseen pastoral demands on church leaders and pastors that are greater than my own. I recognise that I have a responsibility to care for my brothers and sisters and so I am proactive in watching for opportunities to minister to others.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I resist change because it involves personal discomfort. Because church exists to meet my needs I oppose changes that inconvenience me or require me to flex or adapt. The status quo is good because it is why I was attracted to the church in the first place.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I support change when it benefits others or has a gospel motivation. I gladly accept personal inconvenience if it means others will be blessed. I embrace changes that mean church is able to communicate the gospel and make disciples more effectively. I trust those who make change decisions even when I cannot see the need.


When I approach church as a consumer...

I will eventually end up leaving the church, either in body or in spirit. The younger I am, the more likely I am to leave physically and go to another church. The older I am, the more likely I am to leave in spirit and become detached and disillusioned, critical and cynical.

Whereas when I approach church in a Christlike way...

I will end well, leaving a legacy for younger generations who will thank God for my example. I will have been a unifying influence, rather than a divisive one. I will have been a kingdom-builder rather than an empire-builder. I will have been a contributor rather than a consumer.


So which best describes your approach to church?

The quieter summer period is a good time to honestly reflect on our attitude towards fellow Christians and involvement in church.

Do you need to repent of being a church consumer and resolve to be a committed Christlike contributor?

The Bible in the British Museum

One of the things I've wanted to do for some time is tour the British Museum in London with a particular focus on Biblical history.

The BM is the second most popular tourist attraction in the UK. Each year 5 million visitors come to see the 70,000 objects on display in 100 galleries.

And no wonder, because entrance is free!

However, for a Christian, the BM has a unique appeal, because so much of what is on display belongs to the cultures and empires prominent in biblical history.

Christian publisher Day One recognised this a few years ago and published an excellent 'travel guide' to the BM entitled 'Through the British Museum with the Bible'. 

Authors Clive Anderson and Brian Edwards expertly guide readers through the maze of exhibits, pointing out items of special interest and connecting them to Bible culture, history and stories.

My sabbatical provided a great opportunity to finally make this visit, so I spent a wonderful day there this week, wandering around, discovering some of its treasures.

What follows are just a few of my personal highlights...

The Royal Game of Ur

Ever wondered what Abraham and Sarah got up to in their downtime? Probably this!

The Royal Game of Ur (as its now known) is one of the oldest known games and was all the rage for a period of around 3000 years. It predates Abraham by around 1000 years, so it's very likely that he'd not only heard about it but played it.

Pharoahs, Sacred Cows and Mummies

Dominating the Egyptian artifacts room is the imposing statue of Rameses II, who is thought by some to have been the Pharoah at the time of the Exodus.

Egyptians worshipped sacred bulls and so when they died they mummified them. It was the worship of the sacred bulls that lay behind the episode of the golden calf in Exodus 32.

The BM is well known for it's collection of Egyptian mummies. The book of Genesis closes with the words: 'Joseph died... they embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.' (Gen 50:26).

As a man of high rank it's highly likely that Joseph's remains would have been given the same treatment as these examples...

David's Sling

No, it's not the ACTUAL sling that David used to kill Goliath, but it is an example of the sort of thing he would have used and that was a commonplace and effective weapon in the right hands. This one actually pre-dates David to around the time of the Judges.

Age of the Empires: Assyria, Babylon and Persia

There are a huge number of Assyrian artifacts in the BM. The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. Below is a wall relief depicting Jewish prisoners being taken into exile after defeat at the hands of Tiglath Pilesar III. We read about this in 2 Kings 15:29-30:

'In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath- Pileser king of Assyria came... He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria.'

The southern kingdom of Judah suffered a similar fate years later, this time at the hand of the new king on the block, the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. The brick below is stamped with his name and dates back to Babylonian times.

However, despite the size and power of the Babylonian Empire, these bricks are all that remain of it. It is a sobering reminder of the transience of human power.

Esther's Hubby

The Persian Empire followed the Babylonian one and one of its most infamous kings was Ahaseurus, the king who married Esther (Esther 1:1). Below is a wall relief from that time of the great man himself. Of particular note is the sceptre in his hand. We t
read about this in Esther 5:1-2. This was the symbol of his power and patronage. Only when he held it out to Esther, was she assured of his favour.

Cyrus and the return from exile

The Cyrus Cylinder is one of the most important documents from the Persian Empire. Among other things it records how King Cyrus allowed exiles who were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar to return to their own countries, worship their gods and rebuild their temples.

According to Ezra 1:2-4 Cyrus claimed he had been charged by God to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem. 150 years before Cyrus came to power Isaiah 44:28 referred to Cyrus as a shepherd for Israel and prophesied that Jerusalem would be rebuilt at his command.

One of the leaders of the returning Jewish exiles was Nehemiah. He was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.The silver drinking bowl below has an inscription identifying it as Artaxerxes' bowl. It is not impossible that Nehemiah handled this very bowl.

Roman Emperors and Pontius Pilate

Below is a bust of Caesar Augustus (minus his nose), who was the Roman Emperor when Jesus was born (Luke 2:1).

Augustus's son Tiberius succeeded him. He was the Emperor when Jesus died.

Below is a bronze coin of Pontius Pilate, who was Governor of Judea at the time of Jesus' trial. The date on the reverse side of this shows it was produced in AD30-31, which means this coin would have been in circulation when Jesus was crucified.

Photos: Woodgreen Family Fun Day 2013

Saturday was Woodgreen's annual Community Family Fun Day. As in previous years, this was a great shop window for the church, especially displaying the wonderful team spirit we share and our unity in Christ for the good of the local community.

This year my family and I enjoyed experiencing it as punters. Below are a few snaps from the day. Many many thanks to Clive Drage, Al Brown (our Community Links Team Leader) and everyone who was involved in setting up, running stalls, and clearing away...

Pedal-powered Smoothies! 

This years centrepiece: a wrecking ball inflatable

!

Praying God's Words Back

I'm using a really helpful book to prime my prayers during my sabbatical: 'Take Words With You' by Tim Kerr.

The principle behind the book is very simple: the best fuel for prayer is God's Word. The book is therefore a categorised compilation of promises, prayers and passages related to the purpose and priorities of prayer.

And it's therefore a wonderful tool for prayer. I've been working through it day by day, just reading the verses as a primer for my own prayers, asking God to draw my attention to one or two verses from that section that I can then meditate on.

Because I'm a literary-type, I've found it helpful to write out some of these meditative prayers (as the saying goes: 'expression deepens impression') This also means I can return to them again in a form that will be useful in drier seasons.

To be honest, these written prayers aren't much good, but I thought it might be helpful to include one here to illustrate how God's Word can be used to fuel and shape our prayers.

Meditation is a lost discipline for most modern Christians. In contrast to the highly repetitive empty-your-mind meditation encouraged by eastern religions, Christian meditation involves filling your mind with God's truth. It's the act of chewing over and digesting God's Word so that it becomes part of us, transforming our thinking and living.

Snacking is probably a better metaphor for how most of us engage with God's Word. We grab a bite to eat at the beginning or end of the day or when we can snatch a spare moment. There's nothing wrong with that of course, a snack is better than nothing at all! However snacking over the long term isn't very healthy and so from time to time what we really need is a good square meal.

In Romans 12 Paul tells his readers not to conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This comes as we take in God's Word and allow it to examine us, expose us, shape us and remake us. And this only happens as we meditate on God's Word. It's OK to rush fast food, but we wouldn't dream of throwing down food produced by a three star michellin chef. God's Word is like a banquet that's meant to be feasted upon and savoured.

During the space my sabbatical is giving me, I'm rediscovering the value - the joy - of meditating on God's Word in prayer and savouring it and digesting it.

For example, one morning last week I found myself drawn to Psalm 115:3:

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

What follows is a condensed version of the meditative prayer that emerged from this as I chewed over that verse and looked at it from different angles and sought to be shaped by it...

What pleases me is not always what is good.
Even when what pleases me is good, I don't do always do it, because 
As a creature I don't always have the power,
And as a sinner I don't always have the resolve.

Not so with you Lord.

You are the glorious, holy and all powerful Lord of Heaven.
Because you are Good, you are only ever pleased by what is good.
Because you are the Lord of Heaven, you not only desire what is good,
You also have the power
And resolve
To do only and always what is good.
You are therefore eternally pleased, satisfied, and at rest in yourself.

Work in me by your Spirit to give me
The power
And resolve
To desire and do what pleases you.

Help me to abhor what you abhor
And love what you love.
Help me to shun what is evil
And choose what is good.

Because all that is good is ultimately from you,
Help me to pursue you above all else,
Even above good things themselves,
Lest good things become evil things by occupying the place you should have in my heart.

Help me to find my greatest 
Pleasure,
Satisfaction,
And Rest
In you.

So that as well as Lord of Heaven,
You are also Lord of my Heart.
Amen.



NOTE:
Unfortunately 'Take Words With You' is only available as an ebook for Kindle at present.
However fortunately, at the time of writing this post, it's only 77p!!
What are you waiting for? Go bag a bargain!

Sabbatical Musings 1: God's Bow in the Sky

As those who have been following my Twitter feed will know, I started reading 'Kingdom through Covenant' by Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum this week to kick off my sabbatical.

At 800 pages it's a doorstop of a book and exactly the sort of theological volume I don't have the time or mental capacity to get into while immersed in pastoral ministry and study for sermon prep. I'm now around 200 pages into it and loving it!

It's basically an overview of the big story (the meta-narrative) of the Bible focusing on the various covenants in redemption history. The authors' view is that not only is it impossible to understand the big message of the Bible without understanding how these covenants fit together, but it's also impossible to come to a cohesive view on some of the more contentious issues that have divided Christians over the years (Israel, baptism, end times etc).

It's stimulating and stretching stuff. However any study of the theme of 'covenant' in the Bible should also be heart-warming. And it succeeds in this department as well. I am being reminded again and again of God's faithfulness and committed love for his people, despite their failings and rebellion.

One excerpt from this week's reading illustrates this beautifully.

Each of the 6 covenants in the Bible came with accompanying 'signs', physical reminders of the covenant. I've just finished the chapter on the covenant God made with Noah (actually, the whole of creation, us included).

The covenant sign God gave after the flood was the rainbow. Whenever we see the rainbow we're to be reminded of God's promise never to flood the world again.

But why a rainbow?

'There is in fact no word in Hebrew for 'rainbow'. The word used here is the ordinary word for an archer's bow.

I like the comment from Warren Austin Gage: 'The bow is a weapon of war, an emblem of wrath. God will now set it in the heavens as a token of grace. The Lord who makes the bow of wrath into a seven-coloured arch of beauty to ornament the heavens, is the one who will finally command the nations to beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruninghooks (Micah 4:3), for the Prince of Peace takes pleasure in mercy (Micah 7:18) and the Righteous Judge delights in grace.'

The rainbow, then, is a physical picture that God has 'laid his weapons down', as indicated in the promise, 'never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.' It is interesting that the bow set in the clouds is always aimed or pointing up to the heavens, and never downward at us on the earth.'

In the upturned bow we see a signpost towards the type of solution God would ultimately provide for human sin.

The bow points upward to heaven, because God put himself in the crosshairs of sin: he faced the judgement we deserve.

Ultimately, God's bow points us to Jesus cross, where the sin that brought judgement in the flood was dealt with once and for all.

Sabbatical: What it IS and what it ISN'T

In just over two weeks time Carolyn and I start a three month sabbatical from our usual responsibilities at Woodgreen Church. 

I am frankly ready for it but I am also keenly aware of what a privilege it is to have one. I am grateful for those in the church who prompted me to consider it and for having fellow elders who acknowledged the need for it and then encouraged me to take it.

However, as friends - both Christian and non-Christian - have engaged with me about my sabbatical, I have also become aware of some misunderstandings surrounding it.

I thought it might be fun to tackle some of them in a blog...


1. A sabbatical is not a break from ministry

We tend to have a profoundly unbiblical idea of 'ministry' as Christians.

According to one dictionary I consulted, 'ministry' is: 'the work or vocation of a Minister of Religion'.

In one sense this is true. 

This is certainly how most of us Christians use the word in everyday speak.

However in the Bible, 'ministry' is synonymous with 'service' and is something every Christian does whatever their vocation. We are doing ministry when we witness to a non-Christian friend. We are doing ministry when we put out chairs for a church meeting. We are doing ministry when we help out in creche. We are doing ministry when we encourage another Christian to keep going and not to give up. We are doing ministry when we pray. We are doing ministry when we show compassion in Christ's name to those in need. We are doing ministry when we do our secular job well and to God's glory.

Ministry is what we do when we live distinctively for Jesus.

That's why I don't really like the title 'Minister' for what I do, because in one sense we're all 'ministers'.

While my sabbatical will therefore be a break from my regular responsibilities as a Minister (capital M), I will not be taking a break from ministry (lower-case m). It is merely a change of ministry.

Instead of preaching every week and being engaged in pastoral visits, counselling and church meetings, I will be investing more of my ministry time in reading, studying and leading my family - all of which are essential to the effectiveness of my 'ministry' as a 'Minister' anyway. (See 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1)

A sabbatical then, is not a break from a pastor's calling. As a pastor I am called to serve the flock at Woodgreen, however unlike almost any other vocation, I do that first and foremost by maintaining my own spiritual vitality and freshness. And so investing in that is essential.

Paul said to Timothy:

'Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.' (1 Tim 4:16)

As one who is constantly giving out spiritually, an extended period of time out from the relentless emotional roller-coaster of pastoral counselling, church leadership, difficult discipleship issues, and a weekly preaching deadline is vital. In addition, like the vast majority of pastors, I work a 6-day week and am also out most evenings in the week. Count up just that extra day per week and you've got 47 days per year (not counting weeks of annual leave) - or around 9 extra working weeks per year.

Please don't misunderstand me: I don't begrudge this time commitment, but the fact is that pastoral work is demanding and draining (most of which is by necessity under the radar and not seen by most) and all-consuming. 

And that's without the added dimension that ministry (take your pick - lower or upper case) is also a spiritual battle.

And so time out to step back, reflect, recharge and be refreshed is really helpful. In order to be a good Minister, I am looking forward to a change of ministry.


2. A sabbatical is not a holiday

Because many people don't really understand what a sabbatical is, many just assume it's basically an extended holiday.

However, while I hope my three months will be refreshing, I don't expect them to be relaxing. The thought of sitting around at home watching daytime TV all day, with no sense of purpose or focus, would frankly drive me crazy! A good sabbatical is not downtime or me-time or sleep-in time - it's precious time to recharge and invest in reading, courses and research I wouldn't have the time or capacity to do otherwise.

To be sure, I hope it will be a time when (to use a metaphor someone suggested to me) the elastic band isn't at full stretch, but I am  looking forward to stretching myself in other ways. 

I have a pile of theological books that I am looking forward to reading. Perhaps I am wildly over-optimistic about how many of them I will get through, but I am excited about the prospect of reading theology that is not sermon series or church issue related.

I also plan to do some thinking around the place of corporate prayer in the life of the church. I've been in full-time pastoral ministry for 13 years now and this is something that I have never felt any of the churches I have been involved in have really nailed in practice. (We all know we SHOULD pray together - but how do we DO that in a way that engages the whole church?) I am looking forward to the chance to give some focused thought time to that.

Carolyn and I are also planning to do 3 DVD-based courses on marriage, parenting and counselling. I'm  excited about this chance to invest in our own family and to do this as a couple together. Who knows, the courses we use may also be helpful to the church. 

For those of you who are feeling concerned that I won't be taking any rest or family time - don't worry! We do have a couple of weeks of holiday planned within my sabbatical. The reclamation of evenings is also a luxury I cannot wait to take advantage of. I'm also looking forward to being available when the kids get home from school.


3. A sabbatical is not a period of treading water for the church

As I and the elders at Woodgreen have put together plans for my sabbatical, it has been particularly pleasing to see how willing people have been to step up and fill the gaps we will leave. It really hasn't been hard to fill them. I am so encouraged by this, because I see my sabbatical as a chance for others to use and grow in their gifts.

A sabbatical should be good for both pastor and church. It is never a good idea for either a pastor or his flock to become too dependent in each other, we should both be dependent on God alone. It is therefore a great opportunity for both to grow as we learn not to rely on each other. As the pastor takes time out to recharge and refresh, his absence creates gaps which provide opportunities for others to step up and use their gifts.

In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul says that it is the job of pastor-teachers:

'to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...'

Sometimes these works of service can only happen when the pastor is absent!

I am therefore looking forward to returning in September and NOT picking up some of the jobs I have laid down because others have done them better than me!


What IS a sabbatical then?

This is a definition I have come up and which I find helpful:

 Sab-bat-i-cal

‘a period of time away from the pressure of regular responsibilities in order to be recharged and refreshed for future ministry’

A good sabbatical should leave a pastor keen to return and refreshed and recharged for another season of ministry in the church he has been called to serve.

Adrian Reynolds, Director of Ministry (the official kind) at Proclamation Trust, and a prolific blogger, recently posted a 7-part blog on sabbaticals. I thought it was a helpful and thought-provoking blog on a subject not often written about.

You can read it here: Sabbaticals - Seven Good Reasons.