Brother Terry’s Sabbatical
Dear Temple Family,
I would like to address you all concerning Pastor Terry’s Sabbatical. At our most recent church leadership meeting on 5/4, one of the topics discussed was Bro. Terry’s return from his Sabbatical. I know the question on many members' minds is, “when”?
I know this question is simply due to our love and concern for him and the fact that we miss him. In our meeting we remembered when Bro. Terry left for his Sabbatical, he wasn’t altogether sure how long he needed. He’d never taken one before and had no precedent. If each of us consider very difficult times in our lives, we can relate to how very difficult it would have been to make a definitive decision on how long it would take to heal and recover.
When he left, one of the last things we as leaders and membership told him was, “take the time you need to refocus, seek the Lord, be restored and heal”. This remains the position of the leadership and I trust the church membership as a whole. Our prayer is when Bro. Terry returns, he returns refreshed and with a renewed vision. I communicated to him this week, with the blessing of the deacon ministry, to make sure when he comes back that it is not due to pressure or a sense of obligation, but by the leadership of the Spirit. This is also his deepest desire.
It’s important to remember that a church contains business, but is not a business. It is a unique, spiritual entity that operates differently than any other organization on earth because it was not founded by man but by Jesus Christ, the King. It is an earthly extension of a Heavenly Kingdom and our business is not always handled the same way as secular business.
A pastor is a paid employee of the church but like the church, his position is unique and should not be handled the same way as a secular position. I recognize there are unique difficulties in every career and I have no desire or intention to lessen those. What I do ask, is that we recognize there are also very unique difficulties in pastoral ministry that can be difficult or impossible to verbalize. In these cases we simply trust a man who has been proven for 3 decades. We offer love, compassion, mercy and grace so that he can take the time he needs for renewal and in that, simultaneously protect the well being of the church that he loves.
All Sabbaticals are not alike. Some are shorter and some require more time depending on the specific situation of the pastor. Considering Bro. Terry has been serving the membership at Temple for 30 years, he has certainly earned the time he needs to pray, seek the Lord and be fully restored before his return. For his well being, the well being of his family and the well being of the church.
I made announcements recently about him possibly addressing the church or preaching on May 17th. Based on our conversation, I prefer we do not put that expectation on him at this time. He is making progress, but he is not ready. He and I are in contact and we’re praying about options. The church leadership is praying for him. Please continue to join with us in prayer.
The Lord has been very good to Temple through this time and we are so grateful. One of the things that I believe has released much of God’s mercy upon us through it all is our willingness as a church to extend mercy to Bro. Terry and his family. Recently I preached from Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”. This Biblical truth is applicable here. Extend mercy to the pastor and the Lord will extend mercy and grace to the church.
Let’s continue to allow Bro. Terry the time he needs and let’s continue to move forward as the Lord leads. There are some amazing things going on, Temple family! Amazing things. New people are being reached, lives are being transformed by the preaching of the Word of God and through your ministries and I am extremely excited to see where God takes us!
In His service and love,
Pastor Shane
