Sabbatical Adventure
What is a Sabbatical? It is a planned program of study and retreat to enhance the teaching and ministry skills of a Pastor. In the Anglican denomination, the Pastor and the parish contribute to a continuing education program on a monthly basis. Approximately every three years, a Pastor can apply for these funds and, along with additional contributions of his own, take a leave of absence from the parish that is acceptable to both the Bishop and congregation. In the early seventies, there was a revival that touched scattered congregations across western Canada. Our small parish was one of four Anglican …show more content…
It was a confusing time for we had just received a call to a southern Parish and had only been in the northern mission for one year. It had been a very difficult year on the family, but we were already seeing revival and growth as the Holy Spirit awakened hearts to the power of God’s love. We arrived at dusk, set up our camper, just in time to take in the evening service. It had been a ten-hour drive and we were weary but full of anticipation as we walked through the parking lot. There were licence plates from all over the USA, and, as we came close to the “tabernacle,” a huge camper bus rolled up from Florida, and a couple got out and made their way into the worship area. By this time, the auditorium was filling up, and only the rows near the front were available so we slipped in behind this couple who later turned out to be one of the conference leadership couples for the week. The evening began with wonderful praise and the usual welcoming greetings and introductions. The couple from Florida came forward, and the next thing I knew, he was saying, “There is a Pastor here from Canada, and you are struggling with a decision about continuing on in the ministry where you are presently placed. The Lord would say to you that you are to stay for He has lessons to teach you and things to show you that will excite your heart and grow the church in that place.” Then the conference leader said, “Is there someone from Canada here?” We were the only family to stand, and in awe, we were surrounded be the prayers of the assembled people for God’s blessing on our family and our parish! We had just experienced the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the supernatural gift of knowledge and prophecy (words of exhortation that could not be known by natural means. I Corinthians 12: 8) God had spoken through His people! The next
What is a Sabbatical? It is a planned program of study and retreat to enhance the teaching and ministry skills of a Pastor. In the Anglican denomination, the Pastor and the parish contribute to a continuing education program on a monthly basis. Approximately every three years, a Pastor can apply for these funds and, along with additional contributions of his own, take a leave of absence from the parish that is acceptable to both the Bishop and congregation. In the early seventies, there was a revival that touched scattered congregations across western Canada. Our small parish was one of four Anglican …show more content…
It was a confusing time for we had just received a call to a southern Parish and had only been in the northern mission for one year. It had been a very difficult year on the family, but we were already seeing revival and growth as the Holy Spirit awakened hearts to the power of God’s love. We arrived at dusk, set up our camper, just in time to take in the evening service. It had been a ten-hour drive and we were weary but full of anticipation as we walked through the parking lot. There were licence plates from all over the USA, and, as we came close to the “tabernacle,” a huge camper bus rolled up from Florida, and a couple got out and made their way into the worship area. By this time, the auditorium was filling up, and only the rows near the front were available so we slipped in behind this couple who later turned out to be one of the conference leadership couples for the week. The evening began with wonderful praise and the usual welcoming greetings and introductions. The couple from Florida came forward, and the next thing I knew, he was saying, “There is a Pastor here from Canada, and you are struggling with a decision about continuing on in the ministry where you are presently placed. The Lord would say to you that you are to stay for He has lessons to teach you and things to show you that will excite your heart and grow the church in that place.” Then the conference leader said, “Is there someone from Canada here?” We were the only family to stand, and in awe, we were surrounded be the prayers of the assembled people for God’s blessing on our family and our parish! We had just experienced the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the supernatural gift of knowledge and prophecy (words of exhortation that could not be known by natural means. I Corinthians 12: 8) God had spoken through His people! The next