Bethany Baptist Church exists to glorify God by proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and preparing His people to worship Him now and forever.
Broadcaster The Renewal of the Sabbath
Dr. Ritch Boerckel
Page 3 Fifteen years ago, the lay leaders of Bethany prayerfully decided to offer the staff pastors a “sabbatical” that can be taken every seven years. The sabbatical allows the pastor to take seven weeks away from the normal ministry responsibilities for the purpose of allowing him time and opportunity to pursue personal well-being in his body, mind, soul, family, marriage and emotions. This gift from the leadership of the church represents an act of personal care to the pastoral staff. The offering of a sabbatical was predicated upon the belief that the spiritual and personal renewal of the pastors will not only benefit the individual, but also will advance the health of the church as each pastor gains fresh insight, zeal, energy and purpose for the ministry at
Bethany through this season away from the day-to-day duties of ministry. The elders communicated to us when they initiated this offer that a sabbatical was not a reward for past labors, but a season of preparation for future ones. I cannot communicate adequately how humbled we (the pastors) have been by this gift of love. I recognize that few people in our modern world have the opportunity to take a sabbatical from the daily grind of work to focus on spiritual, emotional, relational and physical health. This gift represents no small privilege and honor. My heart is filled with gratitude for a lay leadership team that continues to love their pastors well.
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In This Issue September Calendar
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PrimeTime Fellowship Boomer Breakfast Good News Club Training Congregational Meeting First Prayer Awana Begins Orphan Care Study Safe Families
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Praise & Worship Night at Giant Goose Ranch Women’s Ministries
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Fall Festival
Page 7
The Gospel Institute Children’s Worship Ministry
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Small Groups