Here’s another recommendation that’s really important when you consider the need for a sabbatical– visit other churches. As part of resting and thinking with God about direction for your church, get out and visit all kinds of churches – small, medium, large, Catholic, Presbyterian – whatever. To see and experience what’s happening in other churches is a great way to learn. You get to feel what it’s like to be a visitor. You see God moving differently than he moves at your church and in your context ...

We’re just not good time managers, many of us. But here’s another way to think about it: Manage your energy more than you manage your time.  My best times of energy for study and engaging with others is in the morning from 6am to noon. You really don’t want to catch me from 1pm to 4pm, and to be honest – that sucks because ourweekend meetings and teaching meetings are in the afternoons. It’s just not my best energy. I ...