This coming Monday, August 10, I begin my sabbatical. We announced it during a worship service this spring, but since several people have recently asked about it, I thought I’d share a little of the story behind it.

Many of you know that our employee handbook provides pastors with a scheduled sabbatical after every seven years of ministry. I’ve now been serving in pastoral ministry for thirty-five years, and I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the wisdom and kindness behind this provision.

Pastoral ministry is one of the great joys of my life, but like every calling, it benefits from intentional seasons of renewal. After relocating back to Pennsylvania following years of ministry in Virginia, walking through COVID together, and investing these past several years building our pastoral team with Isaac and John; the elders and I agree that this is a healthy time to step away briefly. The church has grown, our leadership has stabilized, and this seems like God’s good timing. I love pastoral ministry at Bethany, but even so, I can also sense a certain weariness settling in. I’m looking forward to what the Lord might do during these seven weeks.

And believe it or not—this will be my very first scheduled sabbatical.

Interestingly, I’ve learned this gracious practice seems to be a Lancaster County tradition. Just this week I spoke with Pastor Shane Symolon up at Pine Grove Church during the dedication of their beautiful new activity center. We were both called to Lancaster County from northern Virginia at about the same time. He just returned from his own sabbatical, and with bright eyes and unmistakable enthusiasm smiled and said, “You’re going to LOVE this!” How can you not get excited after an endorsement like that?

Last Friday I opened a brand-new journal.

Its pages are completely blank, except for my first entry.

I spent time talking with Chris and Kathy, my longtime spiritual directors from Virginia. We prayed together, dedicated this season to the Lord, and talked about ways to make the most of the next several weeks. They wisely reminded me not to turn a sabbatical into another project to complete or list to conquer. Instead, they encouraged me to release expectations, let go of self-imposed pressure (and guilt), and simply be present with Jesus.

As we talked, a phrase came to mind that perfectly captured what I’m hoping this season becomes. I immediately wrote it across the top of the first page.

A Road Trip with Jesus.

Road trips are different from ordinary travel.

You still have a destination, but you also notice things you would normally drive past. You take the scenic route. You stop along the way. You enjoy conversations that don’t happen when you’re in a hurry. Sometimes the unexpected detours become the most memorable parts of the trip.

That’s what I’m praying these next seven weeks will be.

Beneath that title, I wrote seven words on the opening page of my journal—seven prayers, really.

Reset. Restore. Renew. Rejoice. Retake. Remake. Reveal.

Reset my rhythms—slowing the pace enough to remember that my identity is found in Christ before it is found in ministry. Without sermon prep, there will be time to just soak in God’s word for the sake of personal transformation.

Restore what has grown weary—allowing God to replenish spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational reserves that quietly deplete when ministry gets intense.

Renew my perspective—rediscovering the delight of simply walking with Jesus apart from weekly sermons, meetings, and responsibilities and discover fresh vision for the future.

Rejoice—learning to celebrate God’s goodness in ordinary moments with Pam, family, friends, creation, laughter, and solitude.

Retake healthy priorities—reclaiming habits and disciplines that can slowly drift over years of full schedules and good intentions.

Remake anything that needs reshaping—continuing the lifelong work of becoming more like Christ and inviting Him to keep forming my character.

Reveal whatever He wants me to see—especially concerning the next chapter of ministry, leadership, and whatever He has planned for the “fourth quarter” of my pastoral calling.

In many ways, I’m treating this as a spiritual detox.

I’m not going to be overly legalistic, but I do have a plan. Most mornings I hope to begin with twenty minutes of silence before the Lord, followed by Scripture and journaling. I’ll be stepping away from church email, social media, and the endless stream of news that constantly competes for my attention. I’ll still be available by phone or text, so don’t be a stranger, but I’m intentionally creating space to detangle life, dismantle unhealthy patterns, declutter my heart, and quiet the noise that so easily drowns out God’s gentle whisper.

The sabbatical will include hiking my next portion of the Appalachian Trail in PA (Pine Grove Furnace to Swatara Gap), celebrating thirty-five years of marriage with Pam in Austria, spending time with our children and grandson in Germany, reconnecting with old friends and ministry partners in England where I’ll be preaching and doing a weekend church retreat.

Beneath all of those experiences lies a much deeper purpose.

Simply this: to remove distractions, quiet my heart, and create space to hear from Jesus and simply enjoy being with Him.

It strikes me that this invitation isn’t reserved for pastors.

While most of us don’t have the opportunity to step away for seven weeks, every follower of Jesus is invited to cultivate the same kind of rest. Jesus never intended for us to simply work for Him. He calls us to walk with Him.

Perhaps you can’t take a road trip. But maybe you can take twenty quiet minutes. Maybe you can silence your phone or turn off the television.

Maybe you can open your Bible, sit still, and simply ask, “Lord, where are You leading me today?”

Those small, quiet moments often become the place where God does His deepest work.

Before I leave, I simply want to say thank you.

Bethany family, thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for caring enough to encourage healthy rhythms for your pastors. Thank you for the many cards, conversations, prayers, and words of encouragement you’ve shared over these past seven years. Serving as your pastor is one of God’s greatest gifts in my life.

Please pray for Pam and me over these next several weeks—that we would return spiritually refreshed, emotionally renewed, rested, and even more excited about what God has in store for Bethany. And pray for Isaac (and Kate) as he takes lead these next two months. He’s prepared, gifted and ready… but make sure you love on them well!

By God’s grace, I look forward to getting back in the pulpit this fall.

Until then… We’re taking a road trip with Jesus.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” — Mark 6:31