As Lead Pastor at BridgePointe, it is my joy and privilege to preach most weeks at BridgePointe. However, during the month of July, I invited others to do the faithful work of preaching the Word of God. The Shepherds called this a “study break” for the purpose of providing a season of rest and growth for me that can’t happen within the weekly rhythm of preaching. It also enabled the church to hear from gifted teachers within the church family. 

This is the first time I’ve done anything like this. It’s the longest I’ve gone without preaching in almost 10 years! Now that I’m back in my regular rhythm, I’d like to share my reflections on my time. I hope this will be a window into my heart, mind, and soul to give you a glimpse of how God is working in me. 

During this study break…

1. I used my other gifts to serve and strengthen the church.
   I love teaching and feel alive when I use that gift the Lord has entrusted to me. Stepping out of the weekly “whirlwind,” as we call it, allowed me to see with greater clarity other gifts I can use to serve the church. I was able to think strategically about the future of BridgePointe, create a plan for leadership development, and dream about ways to reach more people with the Good News of Jesus. This study break gave me a fresh perspective on how I can live out of my gifting as a teacher and leader for the good of the church.

2. I took time away for rest and renewal.
   Over the years, I have learned that my soul is deeply renewed by three things: being outside, being active, and being with people I love. During the study break, I devoted one day each week to the combination of these. This usually meant a hike in the mountains of New Hampshire with my family. At the end of July, I did a guided climb of the Grand Teton with two long-time friends who are also pastors. It was so life-giving and, without a doubt, the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Through the rhythm of this past month, I feel rested, refreshed, and renewed.

3. I did a lot of reading and learning to help me grow as a leader.
   When study and reading is such a big part of my weekly teaching rhythm, I can drift away from continued learning for my own personal growth. It’s so important for me to keep learning so that I can keep growing. Over the last month, the time spent reading books and listening to content has created healthy habits that will continue well beyond this study break. In case you’re curious, here’s what I’ve been reading… 

   1. Power Through Prayer by EM Bounds
      Written in the early 1900s, this is a classic on the importance of prayer for the work of ministry. Prayer is how the power of God comes into my life, my ministry, and my preaching. This book convicted me about the need to be more disciplined and devoted in prayer. I have long struggled with prayer and have a renewed commitment to grow in prayer. 

   2. The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
      This is a secular book that was highly recommended to me by a close friend. The premise of the book is that the pervasive comforts of life are having a negative impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health. By embracing discomfort through things like physical challenges, outdoor adventures, or everyday disciplines, we can become more resilient, balanced, healthy, and happy. This book explained why it was so good for me to overcome fear and fatigue to climb the Grand Teton. And it helped me identify regular rhythms to embrace discomfort to be healthier in many ways. 

   3. Strange New World by Carl Trueman
      This is a Christian perspective on the philosophical and cultural shifts of the last couple hundred years that have redefined self and sexuality. Trueman’s writing is insightful, helpful, historical, and practical. It helps Christians understand how cultural has so dramatically shifted in recent years and how we can be faithful followers of Jesus in it. This will be recommend reading to accompany the teaching series Far From Home from the book of Daniel this fall. 

As I return to a “normal” week, I feel so thankful for this last month. I’m thankful for the rest, renewal, learning, and growth that it provided me. I’m thankful for the great sermons and powerful testimonies given by others during the series Forever Changed. And I’m thankful for you, the church. I love serving BridgePointe and I want to keep giving my best to this church for years to come. And I feel refreshed and ready to do so after the study break.

Bringing His Kingdom,

Jared Cowgur
Lead Pastor