Joys Abounding

the MACK family (Matthew, Amelia, Charlotte, & Kara) take on the adventure of a NOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022

Sabbatical Examen on the Trail

It’s officially April 2021…that means that the next time we see March on the calendar, it will be time to head to Springer, Georgia! That’s surreal to think about.

Matthew had his official meeting with his church council and they voted to allow him to take a 5 month Sabbatical from March-August 2022. That was a HUGE hurtle to clear. He has an incredible Sabbatical Team who support him 100%. A few of them attended the meeting as a support system, ready to jump in and help the council understand why this sabbatical proposal is so important for Matthew, and for our family.

Matthew is also in the process of applying for an important grant that would help our family, and his church, afford the Sabbatical. The grant of $50,000 would fund our trip, and help fund supply preaching, pastoral care, staff support, and program assistance for his church. We won’t find out until August if we will receive the grant. There is only a 25% chance that he will be a grant recipient, but Matthew’s proposal is heartfelt, sincere, and moving. I am praying that they see this as a worthy project for our family and his church.

The central focus of Matthew’s grant proposal is incorporating the Practice of Examen into his sabbatical. This ancient practice comes from St. Ignatius and has been practiced by Christians for centuries.

There are 5 parts of the Practice of Examen:

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature from the day and pray about it.
5. Look forward to tomorrow.
The intention is for the practicer to sit quietly and take time to review their day, playing it through like a movie. Reliving scenes from waking up until present moment, dwelling on both the positive and negative moments of the day. You do not gloss over the bad to focus on the good. Instead Examen helps the practicer to give each part of the day to God.

I will admit, our family life does not incorporate many spiritual practices. Life is so busy! We pray before meals, review highs and lows from our days, and bless our children before bed. But I wish we were doing more. But homework, clarinet practice, chores, physical therapy, and life seem to always infringe on quiet moments. I doubt we are alone in this struggle.
And we want it to be different.
So we are looking at our journey on the Appalachian Trail as a way for our family to find a new focus. To step away from the daily business and focus on ourselves, our goals, our family, and our life with God.
Matthew is also incorporating Ministry Examen into his proposal. A way to give up to God his decade in ministry, facing some ungrieved griefs, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness thus far, and looking forward to many tomorrows in ministry. I think that will a restorative, rejuvenating process for him.
Some people don’t understand what a Sabbatical is and what it isn’t. Here is a brief explanation, starting with the commonly held misconceptions.
What a Sabbatical ISN’T: 
-a free vacation
-an undeserved period of paid time-off
-a reason to leave your job and responsibilities behind for others to pick up
-a signal that you want to leave your job
What a Sabbatical IS: 
-a period of rest, renewal, and rejuvenation in the midst of a call
-a time away to refocus on what is important to the person
-an opportunity to reflect on what has happened and to be refreshed for what ministry is possible upon return
-a gift to the individual, and their family
-a way for a church to support the mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional health of their pastor

Of course Sabbaticals are not just for pastors. Professors and other professionals are offered sabbaticals in their professions.

So, this is just a post about more of the ‘whys’ of our journey to the Appalachian Trail in 2022.
I’m so excited that I’m finding it difficult to think of waiting another 11 months to start our journey.