Staff Sabbaticals 2024

A Sabbatical is a biblical concept based on the Sabbath. In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, we teach that a weekly Sabbath is a time to STOP, REST, DELIGHT, and CONTEMPLATE - a time to rest and to disconnect from working and striving so we can focus on being with God. A Sabbatical is simply an extended Sabbath. 

Pastor Ric & Jen Jacobs Sabbatical

May 16 - August 8, 2024

My wife and I have learned a lot about surrender and dependence over the past few years! The challenges of parenting foster and adoptive children, caring for aging parents, as well as mental, physical, and emotional health issues have weighed heavy on our family. 


And at the same time, we are learning to practice gratitude and find joy in the struggle. God doesn’t always take away the unwanted circumstances, but He promises to be with us and sustain us through them.


The focus of our sabbatical this summer is the restoration of our marriage, our family, and our relationship with the Lord. We are trusting the Lord to RESTORE JOY as we rest and lean into His love for us and His goodness to us!


THEME: Restoring Joy (Psalm 51:10-12)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.


Trips:

  • Hershey, PA (Ric & Jen) Fost/Adopt Conference 5/17-18

  • Omaha, NE (Ric & Jen, Robin) City Care (Networking & Learning) - 6/8-12

  • Long Beach Island, NJ (Ric & whole fam) - 6/17-19

  • Lakehouse Family Vacation - 6/22-29

  • Hilton Head, SC (Ric & Jen) Shepherd's Care - 7/20-27


Practices: 

  • Silence (Daily) & Stopping / Scripture / Journaling (Daily)

  • Continue Practicing Gratitude Daily…

  • Counseling for Individual Family Members / Jen & Me

  • Personal Worship - Create Spotify Sabbatical Playlist

  • Regularly watch The Chosen with family


Delight: 

  • Yardwork & Projects

  • Golfing, Fishing, Hiking, Running

  • Movies & TV series

  • Attend a Worship Event with Family

  • Hersheypark Day

  • Time with Jen and NO kids

  • Connecting with friends


Rhythms to Establish

  • Exercise - working out and slogging w/ Jen

  • Morning Devo Time for the family


Books/Podcasts: 

  • The Other Half of the Church (Wilder & Hendricks)

  • The Meaning of Marriage (Keller)

  • No Rules Rules (Hastings)

  • Gospel Fluency (Vanderstelt)

  • The Story of You (Cron)

  • Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast (Scazzero)

  • Global Leadership Network Podcasts

  • Vanderstelt 180 Discipleship Podcasts


Worship Visits

  • CCC Omaha

  • Journey Church Omaha

  • New Cumberland Alliance

  • LCBC West Shore

  • West Shore Evangelical Free

  • Christian Life Assembly

Pastor Ron’s Sabbatical Plan  

July 1 through August 18, 2024


Theme:  

“Find Rest in God’s Love”. (Psalm 62:1-2)

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”


Goal:

I will seek restoration by embracing God's love for me. I anticipate experiencing renewal in every aspect of my life: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. I'm excited to establish lasting, healthy practices that will sustain me in both ministry and life for the long haul. I look forward to the transformation that this gift of sabbath will bring!


“Sabbath is not simply the pause that refreshes, it is the pause that transforms” 

~ Walter Brueggmann


Trips:

  • Family Vacation at Fenwick Island, DE - 7/6 to 7/13

  • Cross-Country Driving Trip from PA to Colorado - 7/20 to 8/3

  • Church Security Conference Highlands Ranch, CO - 7/24 to 7/27

  • Long weekend trip to Cape May, NJ with Leslie


Practices: 

  • Spend intentional quiet times in nature connecting with God

  • Embrace some new spiritual disciplines that align with healthy rhythms

  • Developing consistent prayer practices

  • Meet more consistently with my Spiritual Direction Coach


Delight: 

  • Gardening

  • Driving Trips

  • Photography

  • Special one-on-one days with my grandsons

  • Day Trips with Leslie


Rhythms to Establish

  • Exercise - Intentionally being more active (walking, catching up on household chores)

  • Eating Healthy

  • Less screen time including TV


Books/Podcasts: 

  • Embracing Rhythms of Work & Rest, From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again (Ruth Haley Barton)

  • Re-read Soul Care (Rob Reiner) 

  • John Mark Comers Podcasts

  • Pete Scazzero’s Sabbatical Podcasts


Worship Visits

  • Small Churches

  • First Alliance Church

  • Calvary Chapel Church

  • Churches that are culturally and theologically different from my experiences