Chris Cherry, Associate Pastor of Youth & Families, is on Sabbatical from July 21 through September 28.
Inspired by the biblical theme of “sabbath,” sabbaticals are provided by First Baptist Greensboro to members of our pastoral staff in recognition of years of service and for the purposes of rest and renewal. Chris’ 10 week sabbatical includes opportunities for personal and family retreat, as well as learning opportunities in the areas of youth ministry and missions, intended to inspire and invigorate his work.
Since a sabbatical presumes detachment from work, Chris will not be communicating on church-related matters. Chris will be informed in the event of any serious pastoral concern affecting the youth ministry, but will not be active in the regular pastoral ministry and leadership of the church for this period.
Our FBC Youth Ministry remains active throughout these 10 weeks (check out the Summer/Autumn calendar here. We are grateful for the support of a team of leaders, including James Dolph, who is serving in the role of “Acting Youth Minister.” A member of First Baptist Greensboro, James is a third-year student at Wake Forest University Divinity School and has served with First Baptist as both a College Ministry Intern and Youth Ministry Intern the last two years.
On the Sunday before Chris’ sabbatical, we shared “A Blessing for Sabbatical” by Meta Herrick Carlson, and we continue to offer these prayers for Chris throughout this time.
It is only human
to become what you do,
to believe you are necessary
for good order and momentum.
So in the beginning
God set humankind apart on a planet
that moves without your control,
that revolves despite your wild desire
to be at the very center of things.
God promised provision on the seventh day,
so that you could practice resistance to
your zealous rhythms with rest,
so that you could stop for a season and trust:
I am so small. And also,
I matter so much.
It is here in the absence of doing
you will remember
the terrible and wonderful news—
that God is still here, making things new,
even and often without your help.
May this Sabbath time return your identity
from production to relationship in which
you hear the call to some things,
not all the things, and relish your place
as a creature of God.
