Sabbatical Update From KBF Coordinator

Several years ago when the Administrative Work Group developed the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship Employee Guidebook, provision was made for the coordinator and associate coordinator to take a periodic sabbatical study leave.  The Employee Guidebook’s “Sabbatical Leave Policy” states that the sabbatical shall provide the employee with “…the opportunity for a time of study, renewal, and growth that will enable [the employee] to continue to best serve the mission and ministry to which they have been called.” The policy supports two core values of KBF, namely: Lifelong Learning and Effectiveness. So as I come to the close of this sabbatical leave, let me reflect on my time and its benefits to me and to the organization, understanding that the four major components of a sabbatical are: study, renewal, growth and benefit to KBF. 

Study was a major component of the sabbatical and this was achieved in abundance.  Study was accomplished through individual reading, taking a seminary class, achieving all assignments in the class, and research and writing of a book on interim ministry.   The reading for the class included seven books as well as numerous articles.  Writing the book on interim ministry required study and research of the subject as well as the discipline of writing.  The working title of the book is: Building Bridges During the Interim: A Workbook for Congregational Leaders. As I write this report, the initial manuscript is complete and in the hands of a half dozen first readers (who are providing critique).  I hope to receive this critique, make needed changes and have the workbook ready for a publisher within a few weeks. 

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Sabbatical Update From KBF Coordinator

Intensive Study Phase of Sabbatical Complete
By John Lepper

As I write this I’m completing the intensive study phase of my sabbatical.  The class, “Bowen Family Systems Theory and Leadership in the Congregational Context,” has given me opportunity to gain new insights of systems theory and understand how it can be applied to congregational leadership.  While the theory was originally developed in a therapeutic context, Edwin Friedman, Ron Richardson, Peter Steinke and others have applied this to the work of pastors.  

Reading for the class included seven books as well as numerous assigned articles. Professor Israel Galindo spent the first of the three weeks helping us become acquainted with the concepts of Bowen Theory.  The second and third weeks were used to make practical applications to leadership in the congregational setting and also to help us incorporate it into a theological framework.

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Sabbatical Update: Bird By Bird

  My first four weeks on sabbatical/study leave continue to provide opportunities to read, rest, renew and write.   Colonial Williamsburg and this whole area provide a good context in which to remember our past as Americans. We have seen places where Civil War and Revolutionary War History took place. I have completed reading a large book on Civil War history and am in the middle of a book on the American Revolution.

        I continue to enjoy this change of pace with only occasional contact with business email and contact with the office. Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership continues to bless and provide guidance.  I have also begun reading books that will be used in a class I will take at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond in January. 

 As in the first two weeks, in addition to reading and reflecting, I have also been productive.  A major focus of this sabbatical is writing and producing a resource that would be helpful to churches during the interim. These past two weeks have been characterized by stops and starts but, overall, much progress and forward motion.

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Sabbatical: Report From Afar

  My first two weeks on sabbatical/study leave have provided opportunities to read, rest, renew and write.  I am in Williamsburg, Virginia and have spent time seeing Colonial Williamsburg and also visiting family who live about two hours away.

        While I have not been totally “off the grid” regarding Internet, telephone and email, I have been able to disconnect from the daily activities of ministry.  I have welcomed this change but, I must say, it has been a challenge for me to shift gears from focus on ministry to focus on renewal and reflection. 

        I came with a reading list—books to provide spiritual renewal, books focused on congregational systems, and books for leisure reading.  The book I continue to savor is titled Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton. I resonate with Barton’s quote of Barbara Brown Taylor when Taylor talks about how she had been drawn to a life of servanthood but ended up a service provider.  Reading and reflecting on the truths in this book have helped me pay attention to my soul, to inner realities and calling upon which life and ministry are based.

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