Pastor Tim on Sabbatical May 19 through August 17
A Note from The Elders
In 2022 the elders revised and adopted an updated pastoral sabbatical policy. The elders recognize that the call to be a pastor requires much more than a 40-hour work week. A pastor doesn’t really get time off where he is free of the obligations of overseeing the church. Pastors assume many duties and responsibilities, as well as shoulder concerns for a variety of difficulties within and among the congregation he shepherds, while using biblical principles to lead, guide and direct people. These various issues can be quite difficult, and the stress on a pastor is constant. Many times, the issues are too confidential to share with anyone.
While pastoral sabbaticals may be used for ministry-related training, such as licensure, ordination, or taking advanced courses, the primary purpose is for pastors to withdraw from the church in order to have a time of rest, relaxation, contemplation, reflection, prayer, and to get refreshed and reinvigorated. The desire is to limit contact with the home church and to be disconnected. Pastoral ministry is a unique vocation in that a pastor’s work is spiritual work, and it flows out of his spiritual health. Just as you want a surgeon with a physically steady hand in the operating room, the church needs spiritually healthy pastors caring for the congregation. Providing for pastoral sabbaticals is one of the ways we can invest the spiritual health of our pastors and our church.
The elders appreciate the commitment of our pastors and offer sabbaticals to encourage them in their ministry. Pastor Tim serves as Pastor of Outreach and Ministry Mobilization. He has served Fellowship full-time since 2012, first as Director of Church Administration and then transitioning to his pastoral role in 2019. The process for this sabbatical began a year ago as Pastor Tim applied for and was approved by the elders back in 2024. Much planning, preparation, and prayer have gone into this, and we are excited for Pastor Tim and his family to enjoy this time of well-deserved spiritual rest and refreshment.
We will be commissioning Pastor Tim and the Sheare family together as a church on Sunday, May 18 during the service, and then he will be on sabbatical through August 17. Please be praying for them during this time of refreshment and we ask that you respect the purpose of the sabbatical by not contacting Pastor Tim during that time. Together we pray that Pastor Tim will enjoy the benefits of a sabbatical and trust his return with come with renewed strength and enthusiasm.
A Note from Pastor Tim
I am deeply grateful for the sabbatical rest period granted by our elders. During this period, I aim to experience the joy of the Lord by taking intentional steps to connect with Him and allowing Him to care for my soul more deeply. I look forward to this time to grow in my dependence on Him, enjoy His presence in my family’s life, and focus on spending much-needed quality time with my wife Ashley and our children. I also hope to devote time to professional and personal interests with greater focus, so that He may be glorified through me.
Ashley and I plan to incorporate various marriage-building activities into our time together and utilize available resources. I also plan to devote ample time to my children, taking deliberate steps to connect with each of them individually during the sabbatical, as well as spending time with the 5 of them collectively
Specific activities include a trip to Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, and a week at Lake Wallenpaupack for focused rest and recreation. As an avid reader, I will likely have a book in my hands often. I also have several personal ambitions and hobbies I hope to pursue, including home renovations, improving my chess game, and engaging in creative writing and drawing.
I cherish Fellowship Church and the privilege of serving our Lord and this congregation. This sabbatical will be bittersweet as we disconnect from our church family. However, to fully embrace the purpose of the sabbatical, I will be intentionally unavailable; my phone will not be in service, and I will not have access to my email. I hope to use this sabbatical for both spiritual renewal and physical rest, finding respite to return with a renewed spirit to continue ministering to the congregation of Fellowship Church.
The ministries of outreach, mobilization, community groups, and other areas of oversight will continue in my absence under the care and leadership of the pastoral staff. A blessing of pastoral ministry is that it fosters a greater dependence on God’s mercy, wisdom, and strength to minister effectively. Fruitful, God-glorifying ministry is not dependent on my abilities or presence, but on the Lord, to whom the church belongs. I hope this truth is one that will be more fully realized during the sabbatical period.
Thank you once again to the elders and the congregation of Fellowship Church for granting me this special opportunity. I know this will be a blessing to my family and me, and I hope to return as a blessing to you, in Jesus’ name. Your prayers are appreciated!
