Letter to the Congregation from the Church Board
Pastor Terry came to Trinity in November of 2013, and has been doing a great job as our senior pastor for over eight years. We love our Pastor, and we appreciate his love for Jesus and his love for us.
The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, paragraph 129.10 states:
In order to encourage a healthy pastoral ministry and strong spiritual life of the pastor, the church board, in consultation with the district superintendent, should provide a sabbatical leave for the pastor during each seventh consecutive year of service in one congregation.
In light of this, Pastor Terry and the church board have been in discussion about his taking a sabbatical, and the board voted to give Pastor Terry a 120 day sabbatical, beginning on May 1, 2022. He will return to Trinity on September 1, 2022. During that time, all communication with Pastor Terry will be screened through the church office because of his unavailability.
Pastor Terry will be seeking personal, family, and spiritual renewal, therefore he is excused of all pastoral duties to Trinity. This includes preaching, weddings, funerals, etc., which will be delegated to the church staff.
A sabbatical committee has been formed that is working through the financial responsibilities of the church and other matters. We will continue to pay Pastor Terry’s salary during his time away, and the committee is seeking grants to cover expenses for pulpit supply and other sabbatical expenses.
What is our responsibility in all this? We need to be committed as a church family that the ministries, finances, and attendance will not drop during Pastor Terry’s absence. We will be committed as a church, board, staff, and family to continue the Great Commission of reaching the lost and making disciples.
When Pastor returns he will be physically and spiritually renewed, and ready to jump back into ministry. Let’s make sure he doesn’t return to a church that needs to be rebuilt, but one that is thriving and moving forward, fully focused and obedient to Jesus Christ.
Respectfully submitted
Charlene Clevenger
Church Board Secretary
The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, paragraph 129.10 states:
In order to encourage a healthy pastoral ministry and strong spiritual life of the pastor, the church board, in consultation with the district superintendent, should provide a sabbatical leave for the pastor during each seventh consecutive year of service in one congregation.
In light of this, Pastor Terry and the church board have been in discussion about his taking a sabbatical, and the board voted to give Pastor Terry a 120 day sabbatical, beginning on May 1, 2022. He will return to Trinity on September 1, 2022. During that time, all communication with Pastor Terry will be screened through the church office because of his unavailability.
Pastor Terry will be seeking personal, family, and spiritual renewal, therefore he is excused of all pastoral duties to Trinity. This includes preaching, weddings, funerals, etc., which will be delegated to the church staff.
A sabbatical committee has been formed that is working through the financial responsibilities of the church and other matters. We will continue to pay Pastor Terry’s salary during his time away, and the committee is seeking grants to cover expenses for pulpit supply and other sabbatical expenses.
What is our responsibility in all this? We need to be committed as a church family that the ministries, finances, and attendance will not drop during Pastor Terry’s absence. We will be committed as a church, board, staff, and family to continue the Great Commission of reaching the lost and making disciples.
When Pastor returns he will be physically and spiritually renewed, and ready to jump back into ministry. Let’s make sure he doesn’t return to a church that needs to be rebuilt, but one that is thriving and moving forward, fully focused and obedient to Jesus Christ.
Respectfully submitted
Charlene Clevenger
Church Board Secretary
