My Sabbatical Plan
Date: 02/25/2011
To: Superintendent and MEG Board, East Michigan Conference
From: Pastor George W. Richards, Durand Free Methodist Church
Subject: Request for 6 week sabbatical May 1-June 11, 2011
Years of Service: 12 no previous sabbaticals
The past 14 months we have been preaching through the bible and have been building a 22 foot timeline of events with a scale of one inch equals 25 years. Currently we are in the prophets.
I have also been taking online classes through Hobe Sound Bible College with the goal of finishing a Bachelor Degree in Christian Studies.
Sabbatical Goals
1) Rest
2) Seek God’s will for us and the church
3) Prepare for the New Testament in light of greater Old Testament knowledge
4) Exercise
5) Read – I try for 40 books a year
6) Travel
a. Maybe two weeks at Covenant Hills Camp
b. 3 days in New York City with the High School Art Department
c. 3 day in Chicago
d. Another week camping somewhere
At the completion of this sabbatical I will provide a written plan for:
· A ministry plan for the next several years.
· A timeline showing New Testament events.
· A timeline from the close of the New Testament to today.
Practical
During my absence Kim Dooling will be taking the congregation through the book of Daniel. She has been teaching Daniel to her Sunday school class for the past 20 weeks so she has plenty of material and knowledge of the subject.
Lisa Lahring, assistant pastor CMC will take on any church administration needed during this time.
I am blessed with people who I trust and who have the skills to do a fine job. It will also be good that they see that can do the job. Also the husbands of both ladies are expert in any physical plant needs during this time.
The church board as agreed to keep my pay package as is during this time.
Thank you for your time,
Pastor George W. Richards
To: Superintendent and MEG Board, East Michigan Conference
From: Pastor George W. Richards, Durand Free Methodist Church
Subject: Request for 6 week sabbatical May 1-June 11, 2011
Years of Service: 12 no previous sabbaticals
The past 14 months we have been preaching through the bible and have been building a 22 foot timeline of events with a scale of one inch equals 25 years. Currently we are in the prophets.
I have also been taking online classes through Hobe Sound Bible College with the goal of finishing a Bachelor Degree in Christian Studies.
Sabbatical Goals
1) Rest
2) Seek God’s will for us and the church
3) Prepare for the New Testament in light of greater Old Testament knowledge
4) Exercise
5) Read – I try for 40 books a year
6) Travel
a. Maybe two weeks at Covenant Hills Camp
b. 3 days in New York City with the High School Art Department
c. 3 day in Chicago
d. Another week camping somewhere
At the completion of this sabbatical I will provide a written plan for:
· A ministry plan for the next several years.
· A timeline showing New Testament events.
· A timeline from the close of the New Testament to today.
Practical
During my absence Kim Dooling will be taking the congregation through the book of Daniel. She has been teaching Daniel to her Sunday school class for the past 20 weeks so she has plenty of material and knowledge of the subject.
Lisa Lahring, assistant pastor CMC will take on any church administration needed during this time.
I am blessed with people who I trust and who have the skills to do a fine job. It will also be good that they see that can do the job. Also the husbands of both ladies are expert in any physical plant needs during this time.
The church board as agreed to keep my pay package as is during this time.
Thank you for your time,
Pastor George W. Richards