A Letter from the
Board of Trustees
This summer will mark 16 years (at Brooklake) of ministry for our pastor, Scott Harris, and 25 in total as a Lead Pastor. In all those years he has never taken a sabbatical. Therefore, after several years of prayer and consideration, Pastor Scott will be sent on a sabbatical, this Summer, which we believe will be a blessing to Scott, Michelle, and their family, and to the life and mission of Brooklake as well.
Sabbaticals can be proactive or reactive, and we’re delighted this one will be the former, as both Scott and Brooklake are in a healthy place right now. The shepherding capacity of our Staff and teams are high, there are 20+ groups of various kinds (with about 5 more slated to launch around Easter) providing community across the region, and our ministries are flourishing.
A Blessing for the Harris’s
The heart behind providing a sabbatical for Scott and his family is to honor them for their years of faithful service, to provide a season of rest, and to invest in their longevity, that by God’s grace will lead to many more fruitful years to come. The sabbatical will give the Harrises space to disengage and enjoy the gift of being without doing anything for Jesus in a public ministry context with deep, extended rest as the primary goal. There will be some travel to visit historical, biblical cities and sites, and Scott will continue his ongoing commitment to his masters program.
A Blessing for Brooklake
This sabbatical is also a reminder that Brooklake is all about one person, and that person is Jesus. Each of us has a small but important role to play in this local expression of the body of Christ. We have been blessed with an astounding number of mature leaders — both on Staff and in our church family. We pray you will use this occasion to ask God how you can take greater ownership over Jesus’ command to make disciples — no matter what context He has placed you in.
We will have an opportunity to properly honor and send the Harris family into this sabbatical mid-June, but in the meantime, pray. Pray strength over Scott to finish the Spring season strong, for God’s abundant provision to continue to meet our every need, and for every person at Brooklake to play their role as the Holy Spirit leads and guides.
Board of Trustees
Aaron Bigby
David Jensen
Terry Koubele
Terri Reade
David Snell
What is a sabbatical?
Originating from the biblical concept of Sabbath, and practiced by many churches and denominations, a sabbatical is a scheduled and extended time away from ministry to rest, recover, and enjoy the grace of God. The goal is not only to prevent burnout but also to ensure that ministers return to their roles with a refreshed spirit, enhanced perspective, and a renewed sense of calling. (For more, check out this podcast from Pete Scazzero at Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.)
How long will this sabbatical be?
14 weeks, mid-June to mid-September.
Can we request a meeting with Pastor Scott during the sabbatical?
In short, the answer is no. The goal of this time is for Pastor Scott and his family to disengage as much as possible from the responsibilities of the church. However, there will be plenty of time before to connect, have conversations, and appreciate his leadership/teaching.
Who will lead the church in Scott's absence?
We have full confidence in the staff, and we are excited for them to carry our community during the summer. Like they currently do, Pastor Nathan and Keri Grim will be working side by side with the team to handle the overall responsibilities and ministry of the church.
Why would something like this be important for a pastor?
That's a great question. The uniqueness of pastoral ministry is different from many other jobs in that your entire person is wrapped up in your role. There is no specific off switch, no true "days off," and your entire family is deeply involved. Additionally, the spiritual pressures of carrying the weight of shepherding believers and representing the heart of God to people are heavy. Many pastors feel overwhelmed by such responsibilities, and areas like rest, character development, and personal brokenness can be neglected. In a normal job, personal struggles don't necessarily impact employability, but for pastors, personal struggles often bleed into their profession. Therefore, prioritizing a pastor's ability to tend to their own soul is imperative for long-term faithfulness and fruitfulness.
Did Pastor Scott do something wrong that requires him to take a step back for a season?
Absolutely not. This sabbatical is not reactionary nor in response to some crisis. This is merely a long-overdue rhythm of rest that we feel excited to provide for our pastor who has been faithfully serving in the Lead Pastor capacity for 26 years, 16 (this summer) at Brooklake.
I'd like to be an encouragement to the Harris family. How can I do that?
That's great! Writing a kind note, sharing an encouraging word, or contributing to the sabbatical fund (over and above regular tithe, please) to help with their sabbatical studies/travels are all welcomed gestures. Most importantly, please commit to praying for them leading up to the sabbatical and during those three months while they are away.
Who will be teaching on Sundays during Pastor Scott's absence?
Pastor Nathan Golden and Pastor Andy Rosas will be teaching most Sunday teachings. Additionally, like every Summer, we will invite a couple trusted guest speakers to share with us over the course of the 3 months.
I might be tempted to attend less. Is that okay?
If anything, we would encourage you to lean in even more during these three months! This is a great time for our church to actively engage and be an encouragement and presence, rather than pulling back when it feels uncomfortable.
Is there anything I can do to help the church during this time?
You bet. Jump in to help serve, give faithfully to help the ministry’s finances, and be the church God is calling you to be! Show up to events, invite friends, attend, or start a group, host a meet-up, and help create meaningful community here at Brooklake.
For our staff, support them with words of encouragement and offer your support. Finally, commit to praying for your leaders and for the will of God to come to pass in our church, local community, and beyond!
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