Sunday, May 7th, BridgePointe’s shepherds announced that Jared and Rachel will be taking a sabbatical this summer. Below find a letter from Jared and an FAQ list to answer questions you may have.

Dear BP Family,

As Rachel and I prepare for our upcoming sabbatical, I thought it would be helpful to share a little more about what it means for us all. I have been in ministry over twenty years, the last and best of those being the ten years with BridgePointe that we just celebrated in March. Rachel has been by my side all those years, and has been faithfully serving as a ministry director at BridgePointe since 2013. This is our first sabbatical and we are deeply thankful for the care and investment the church has shown to us as we prepare for this upcoming time of rest.

In case you are not familiar with what a sabbatical is in the context of the church, it is a time to stop the work of ministry for a period of extended rest and spiritual replenishment. The word sabbatical itself comes from the word Sabbath, or the weekly day of rest we find in Scripture. (Earlier this year I preached on the importance of a weekly Sabbath that gives us a rhythm of rest and enjoyment, check it out if you want to know more. )

There is a unique spiritual responsibility for those who serve the church with their lives – standing on the front lines of the spiritual battle, contending for the faith of those entrusted to ther care, and carrying the burdens of the people they are called to love. BridgePointe has instituted a sabbatical policy for executive staff and ministry directors as a necessary replenishment for the mind, body, heart, and soul. Taking a sabbatical gives a unique rest from ministry to those who carry the unique responsibility of it.

The Shepherd Team has generously provided both Rachel and me with a sabbatical this summer. On Sunday, June 11, I will preach the final message in our series from Act, Till the Day I Die. On that Sunday the shepherds will pray for God’s blessing over my family to send us off. BridgePointe’s Picnic & Baptisms will be that evening, and we look forward to gathering with our BP family and celebrating baptisms before we enter this time of rest. 

I’d like to share a little bit about what my sabbatical will look like. I think it’s important for everyone to identify what brings them rest and delight. Over the last few years, I have discovered that I experience God’s rest and renewal most when I am being active outdoors and when I spend time with people I love. So, the first part of my sabbatical will be spent with our family and with some long-time friends who are in ministry, enjoying the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. 

I also recognize that my preference is often to go hard, to stay busy, and to move at a hurried pace. In order to rest, I need to slow my pace and create space for silence so that I can be more present with the Lord. The second month of my sabbatical will prioritize a rhythm that includes rest, silence, solitude, Scripture, prayer, reading, and reflection. This will make space for me to more deeply connect with myself and our great and awesome God.

I love this church so much. It is truly a joy to serve the people here. While I will appreciate this opportunity to retreat and rest, I also know that I will miss the people we call family within the church. Reconnecting after some time apart will be so sweet. 

I am also so excited about what God is doing here. I have such confidence that God is positioning us and preparing us to receive even more of His blessing in the future, as we remain faithful to Jesus together. I am already excited about the season of ministry to follow this Sabbatical. And I am looking forward to coming back renewed and refreshed so I can serve and lead from the peace, strength, and intimacy of the Holy Spirit.

sabbatical FAQ:

• How long will Jared be gone?
  BridgePointe’s shepherds are giving Jared an eight week sabbatical that begins on Friday, June 16 and ends on Friday, August 11. Jared will return from his sabbatical on Saturday, August 12, for the Back to School Fair. His first Sunday back will be the following day. He will return to the office on Monday, August 14 and will resume preaching responsibilities on Sunday, August 20.

• Will Rachel be taking a sabbatical, too?
  Jared’s wife, Rachel, has been a part of the ministry team since the launch of the church in 2013. She currently serves on staff as the Worship Arts Director. She will be taking a six-week sabbatical this summer that mostly coincides with Jared’s so that they can enjoy this season of rest together.

• Why is Jared taking a sabbatical now?
  The Shepherd Team has been intending to provide a Sabbatical rest for Jared and his family for a couple years. The uncertainty and instability experienced during COVID delayed the sabbatical. Jared is in a really healthy spot personally and is deeply committed to the work of ministry at BridgePointe. There is great unity within the shepherds and staff, and the church is stronger and healthier than it’s ever been. The Shepherd Team is providing this sabbatical as an investment in Jared and his future ministry with BridgePointe.

• Who will do what Jared usually does while he is gone? 
  Ezekiel, our Director of Ministry, and the BridgePointe shepherds have created a plan for all of Jared’s essential responsibilities to be covered to ensure that the church will continue to receive the teaching, leadership, and care that it needs. 

  We have an exciting schedule of guest preachers lined up for our summer teaching series that will include BP staff, church leaders, and church planters that BP supports.

  Ezekiel will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the ministry team. BridgePointe’s shepherds will be present and available to provide pastoral care and support for the staff. Together the staff and shepherds will work to ensure that the care needs of the church are provided for.

• Will you be able to reach Jared or Rachel during their sabbatical?
  They will both be unavailable throughout their sabbatical to ensure that it can be a season of rest for them. We ask that you please don’t try to contact them with care or ministry needs through email, phone, or social media during this time. If you are in need of care, spiritual guidance, or support of any kind, please instead reach out to one of the other members of BP’s staff team.

• Will other staff have the opportunity to take a sabbatical?
  While each sabbatical situation will be unique, BridgePointe’s sabbatical policy provides a season of rest for all executive staff and ministry directors when they reach eligibility based on length of service. It is the goal and priority of the Shepherd Team to use this rhythm of rest to invest in the spiritual health, ministry effectiveness, and longevity of the staff we value so much.  

• How can I learn more about ministry sabbaticals?
  Here are a couple of resources you can use to find out more:

  https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/why-your-pastor-needs-a-sabbatical
  https://churchanswers.com/blog/five-reasons-your-pastor-should-take-a-sabbatical/
  https://www.soulshepherding.org/sabbatical-guide-pastors/

• Who should I contact if I’d like to talk more about sabbaticals at BridgePointe?
  If you still have more questions, feel free to reach out to shepherds@bpri.church.