1st June – 31st August 2023
A sabbatical is an extended time of sabbath. It involves resting and recharging to bring about rejuvenation.
We (Guy & Esther) hope that our sabbatical will be a time for us to invest in praying, reading, thinking and resting as we reflect on our history and look towards our future.
Sabbaticals are commonly practised in many church denominations, including the Vineyard. And the Vineyard movement nationally encourages their church leaders to take a sabbatical once every 7 years. We have run the church for almost 10 years now, but our plans to have a sabbatical in 2020 and 2021 were thwarted by the Covid pandemic.
Just as a sabbath day involves one ceasing from one’s normal day-to-day roles and responsibilities, so our sabbatical will be a time where we cease being involved in the leading of Farnham Vineyard.
We hope that by using the time that the sabbatical provides to invest in our relationship with each other, and with God, we would benefit, and the church will benefit.
When we return, we’ll be resuming our roles at the church.
When are we going?
We plan to take a sabbatical for 3 months from 1st June until 31st August 2023.
What will we be doing whilst we are away?
We plan to make space to hear from God. We intend to spend some time on our own and together so we can read and think and pray in secluded places.
Where possible we will also enrol on courses designed to help us invest in our relationship with each other and with God.
Can people contact us whilst we are away?
We will be turning off our phones and not looking at our church emails whilst we are away. The staff and leadership team will keep an eye on our communication channels whilst we are away.
We think it’s going to be extremely hard for us not to spend time with our vineyard family, because we love you all so much.
However, what we would ask is that you don’t attempt to directly contact us whilst we are away. By taking some time out we will be able to better engage in resting and recharging.
Who will hold the fort?
Esther and I don’t lead this church on our own, we have a great team of staff and volunteers around us. We are also very blessed to have the founding pastors, Chris and Fran Oldroyd on hand to help steer this ship in our absence.
Jo Scougall (children’s pastor and finances), Jess Callaghan (worship), Susy Mayne (hospitality and admin) and Betty Mungai (Youth and Comms) are amazing, gifted people and We will stand by any decisions made by them upon our return, and we can say this with complete ease because we know them well, we see their character and their love for this church and we trust their judgements.
Chris and Fran will work closely with the leadership team and will seek their advice; it is not envisaged that Chris and Fran will act on any important decisions without first seeking and weighing up the advice that the Leadership team gives, just as we do now.
What should you do if there is an emergency?
In an emergency or a matter of significant importance, in the first instance, go to Chris and Fran and the leadership team. The reality is, we don’t make significant decisions in isolation – we discuss all big things with them.
Furthermore, this church is governed by a group of trustees made up of dedicated people who look after legal and financial matters.
We are also accountable to our Regional Leaders – Nigel and Jo Hemming of Winchester Vineyard.
We are also grateful to Jennifer Astovasadourian and Elizabeth Wicker who are our Safeguarding Lead and Deputy respectively. Should you need to speak with either of them, please do approach them on a Sunday or email safeguarding@farnhamvineyard.org.uk
What can you do whilst we are away?
If you regard yourself as belonging to this church family, then we trust that you will pray for Chris and Fran and the leadership team and support them as your leaders – that’s what the Bible tells you to do.
After that, be present. Get involved. Do amazing things that will usher the Kingdom of God into your heart and into our town.
Our hope and expectation are that whilst we are away, this church family, under their leadership, will flourish, will grow, will extend its impact over our town, and will draw people into a new and deeper relationship with Jesus.
Our hope and expectation are that you will be empowered and equipped to make disciples in your everyday lives, to proclaim the Christian Gospel message through works and practices such that our town will change to become full of people who are full of life.
Far from the church pressing the pause button, our hope and expectation are that whilst we away, you go into fast forward, you turn the volume up such that when we’ve finished drinking our G&T’s, we come back and we are amazed at the goodness of God and those of you who follow Him.
How can you pray for us?
Pray that we become still enough to hear everything that Jesus wants to say to us because we want to grow as leaders and prepare for all that God has in store for us in the years ahead.
