Dear Engage Community Family,
As we step into the completion of the third year of Engage Church we have so much to be thankful for. This past year has been full of so many gifts from God to our young community of Jesus. I think about the people who have experienced the goodness of God through Engage Church this year. Week after week people comment on the acceptance and safety they find in our community as a reflection of God’s abounding love for each of us. I am so thankful for you. I have watched so many of you grow in aligning yourselves with God and living out the Gospel of Jesus.
As I look at 2012, I am excited to anticipate more of the work of God in bringing those far from God nearer and the work of God to mature and grow the body of Jesus into greater awareness of God’s presence and calling on each one of us. This is another season of Engage Church growing and developing as a community of Jesus. We will talk more on Feb 4 at our EnVision Engage Church-wide meeting but I’m excited about the goals and growth ahead of us in 2012. We have our work cut out for us as we pursue:
• the exploration of Mission Shaped Communities (more to come on Feb 4th)
• creating clear goals for 2012 and beyond
• hiring pastoral staff to replace Kelly Chripczuk
• stabilizing and deepening our church as we continue to be rooted and established in love.
• continuing to help new people get connected and discerning ways we can impact our community in 2012 and beyond
• increasing financial partners (our budget will increase 20% in 2012 due to a planned decrease in our B.I.C. subsidy. (more on this at our Feb 4th EnVision Meeting).
We started this church with energy and vitality for the road ahead. I have been going hard now for three years giving leadership, preaching, praying, guiding, listening, overseeing, and developing disciples and leaders for God’s church. When we started Engage, the Spirit gave me / us a clear vision of all we could and should be. Although God has adjusted us along the way, we have accomplished much of what we set out to do!
Church planting is often referred to as the ‘extreme sports’ of pastoral ministry. I’ve been running hard for three years now. In many ways I’ve grown so close to the ‘trees’ of responsibility of the day in and day out running of Engage. I now believe I need to step back to allow God to help me see the ‘forest’ again. The challenges of the next three years are ‘forest’ challenges.
In light of the race we’ve run these past three years and looking to the challenges ahead, I feel a need for a time of renewal to recharge and re-center personally with God and re-align with God’s vision for Engage. Engage’s Leadership Team, in council with our Interim Bishop has agreed to release me to take a six week time of renewal to ‘go back up to the mountain’ and hear from God. These six weeks will be a chance for me to recharge so I can come back with a clear head, a fresh vision, a filling up of my soul, and centered heart.
As I’ve prayed and counseled with others about this, it’s become clear that my time of absence may also benefit the ongoing process of growth and development of Engage as a community. My leave would give Engage the opportunity to grow a sense of healthy independence as we continue to grow up together as a church, from adolescence into adulthood. This is good and natural in the growth process.
Is there any precedent for this sort of leave?
Historically, pastors will take about three months of Sabbatical every 7 years. The length and time frame varies from church to church depending on each church’s unique situation. In my case I am not taking a formal Sabbatical rather a ‘mini’ sabbatical season of renewal. This season is NOT:
• NOT an extended vacation.
• NOT a time for research and church related planning.
• NOT an escape.
Rather, the research says that for this time to be effective it should include Relaxation, Recreation, Rest, Renewal, Rethinking, Refocusing, and Return.
The scriptures talk about the idea of Sabbath. God rested on the 7th day and this gives us a pattern of resting. When we rest we place ourselves in a position to be renewed and refreshed and ministered to by God himself through the Spirit. This is why churches tend to do this every 7 years. However, it has become increasingly clear to me that this season of renewal is needed before we head into the next leg of the journey together.
What will Jon be doing?
Over the course of the Sabbath Season Aimee and I are going to a retreat center in Colorado that specializes in refreshing pastors who have been ‘going hard’ in ministry. This gives us a week together to rest, process the things God has done in us, and be equipped by people trained to guide pastors in their Sabbath Season. I will also be doing a personal Spiritual retreat in the six weeks spending time in solitude and silence to hear God’s voice and be renewed. The rest of the time will be spent doing some vacationing, prayer, study, reflection and listening to God’s voice.
Why not this Summer? Why now?
Honestly, I’ve been thinking about a taking a season of renewal for months now but have put off the idea out of fear. What if the church feels abandoned? What if things fall apart? What if…? But lately, God has made it clear to me that it is best for Engage that I do this sooner rather than later. God has been working in me to free me from these fears. I honestly believe this will be a time for Engage to shine as we come together as the body of Christ. I have full confidence in our leaders. We are making a clear plan to facilitate the ongoing work of this community. I also believe it will be a time for you and others to discover more gifts and talents already present in our community. I believe God will surprise us at how many people rise to this occasion. Our church will be deeper and stronger and more confident as a result.
When would the Season of Renewal start?
As I said this renewal period was not planned months in advance. However, it needs to start sooner rather than later. I will start Feb 15th – Wed. March 31st. I will not be preaching or attending Engage during this season.
How will things keep running at Engage? Who’s in charge?
We are forming an oversight team. This group will meet weekly lead by Vern Hyndman (guiding, mentoring, pastoral care and some preaching), Tricia Cressler (administrative point person, resourcing team leaders, and new people), Tom Kaden (groups and preaching), and as available Kelly Chripczuk (preaching, mentoring, and advising leaders). This team will also be putting out the needs and inviting people to use their unique gifts and abilities to make our church stronger. I have complete confidence in these leaders as they have wisdom, perspective, and the experience to lead.
What can the Church do?
In some ways we need to do this together. I will be making periodic video updates to show on Sundays so we can share with you what we are learning and what God is doing in us. You can pray for us and respect the time away. Lastly, you can pray for Engage and be willing to use your gifts where needs arise in the Church. The oversight team will be calling on you to engage in this season by using your gifts as needs arise.
I know this is a lot to process and I appreciate your support and understanding. If you have questions I will be available through the end of January. We will also discuss this on Feb 4th at our EnVision Meeting. Please plan to attend! All other questions can be directed to the Leadership Team by contacting Lindsay DeBien or Vern Hyndman. Vern’s number is 609-6967 (vern@hyndman.com) and Lindsay’s number is 514-3155 (ladebien@gmail.com).
Thanks for investing in our church by supporting this season.
Jon Hand
Pastor
Engage Church
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