Recently, James Simonton, the elder chairman here at The Ridge, announced that we have a new sabbatical and replenishment policy for The Ridge staff. This time is purposefully designed to help our staff replenish and be ready to continue to do whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ.  

I am humbled and deeply grateful for the opportunity to take a 6-week sabbatical this summer. I am excited to spend intentional time with my family and with God, and I find myself continuing to explain to my kids how amazing this opportunity really is. (I get about the response you’d expect out of a 9, 6, and 3-year-old). 

I was asked last week if everything was okay. Sometimes sabbaticals are used because of negative things going on behind the scenes, and it’s a fair and natural question. My answer is a wholehearted, “Yes, more than okay.” I love The Ridge, and I am delighted I have the privilege to serve here with such amazing people. 

Still, a sabbatical can be a significant and healthy thing. As we’ve studied and put together this policy for staff, we’ve discovered that sabbaticals can help our relationship with God. There are a lot of different ways this happens, but I believe taking time off pushes us to recognize that God is in control. It can help our team navigate the difficulties of ministry by replenishing. Time away allows different people to step into different roles for a short period of time. Sabbatical helps our relationships with family and friends. Sabbatical is an amazing way to care for our team. My hope is this is just scratching the surface of what God will do over the summer. 

This is only possible because of you. Thank you for your continued faithfulness, and I am so thankful for the six weeks (I’ll be out of the office from Memorial Day to Independence Day). See you soon!

Adam