The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

This season is all about spiritual rhythms and disciplines, and we’ve been using the last few episodes to focus on sabbaticals, a continuation of the practice of sabbath rest. In this episode, Micki Ann chats with our final guest of the season, pastor Grady Davidson, as he outlines his sabbatical experience.

Grady began thinking about pursuing a sabbatical after nearly thirteen years as a pastor at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church. With the support of his leadership, encouragement from mentors, and assistance from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, the Davidson family set off on a fifteen-week sabbatical. This time was broken up into trips and activities that focused on three areas: exploring the past, embracing the present, and envisioning the future. The result was a fruitful time of rest and refocusing that not only refreshed Grady and his wife but provided him with the perspective and wisdom needed for the unexpected Covid season that developed just months after he returned to ministry.

Join us for the final episode of season 5 as Grady shares the three areas he hoped to address through the sabbatical, and stay till the end to hear about “the spiritual gift of plodding.”

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:26] Rhythms of sabbath and sabbaticals
• [1:53] Introducing Grady Davidson
• [3:44] The importance of sabbaticals
• [5:15] Defining sabbaticals
• [6:41] Thoughts and conversations leading to Grady’s sabbatical
• [10:27] Areas of focus for sabbatical
  • Grady’s pulpit ministry
  • Family and marriage
  • Empowering congregation to serve
• [18:15] Preparing the church for Grady’s absence 
  • Finding a temporary pastor
  • Outlining worship services
  • Organizing special events
• [20:39] Content of Grady’s sabbatical
  • Exploring the past
    • Tour of Israel and Jordan
    • Road trips with wife to places they’d lived
  • Embracing the present
    • Beach time with family
    • Integrating The Daily Office
  • Envisioning the future
    • 11 day solo trip in Montana
• [33:00] Processing the past
• [38:46] Takeaways and returning to ministry
• [42:32] Change in spiritual practices
• [46:38] Call to denominational leaders to advocate for sabbaticals
• [48:23] Final thoughts: “the spiritual gift of plodding”

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer
• Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program

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