SABBATICAL

Proactive rest for our Lead Pastor

A LETTER FROM OUR ELDER TEAM

Dear Embassy,

The Elder Team is excited to share that Pastor Chris, along with his wife Allison and their kids, will take a sabbatical this summer from May through July.

If you were unable to join us at our most recent Family Member Meeting, or on March 22 when we shared this update, you can listen to the linked podcast below for more information.

A sabbatical is an extended period away from one’s primary work for the purpose of renewal, with the intention of returning refreshed and strengthened. The word comes from the Hebrew concept of Sabbath, meaning “to cease” or “to rest.” A ministry sabbatical is not simply an extended vacation, nor is it primarily focused on study. Rather, it is a purposeful step away from the responsibilities of ministry to pursue mental, physical, spiritual, and relational renewal.

During this time, Chris will step away from his responsibilities as Lead Pastor, entrusting leadership to the Elder Team and Staff Director Team. He will maintain limited engagement with both teams when needed, but will largely be disengaged from the day-to-day life of Embassy. This season will allow him to be more present as a husband and father, without carrying the added weight of his pastoral role.

As a family, the Cooks plan to travel, spend meaningful time together, and visit loved ones in Texas and Louisiana. When they are in town, they look forward to attending Embassy simply as a family within the church.

It has been just over seven years since the Cooks began their church-planting journey, and God has been incredibly kind to Embassy since its planting five years ago. This summer is a fitting time to extend this gift of rest.

We want to be clear — this sabbatical is not a response to any lack of health. On the contrary, Embassy is in a healthy place, and so is the Cook family. We are choosing to be proactive, prioritizing our pastor’s long-term health because we believe that when leaders lead from a place of health, everyone benefits.

We will pray over and send off the Cook family during our gathering on Sunday, May 3rd. Chris will return to his pastoral responsibilities on Sunday, August 2nd. We will send more updates as May approaches, and we invite you to join us in praying that the Lord would meet the Cooks deeply in this season and bring true renewal.

Sincerely,

Embassy Elder Team | Derek, Neal, Jonathan + Billy

LISTEN TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A ministry sabbatical is an extended time away (a month or more) from primary ministry responsibilities for the purpose of rest, renewal, and returning stronger. It is not reactive leave taken from a place of unhealth. It is not simply a vacation, though it may include elements of rest and travel. It is not an academic sabbatical for research or study. The best way to understand it is as renewal leave — a purposeful season to step back in order to return healthier and better prepared for what’s ahead.

  • Rest is a gift from the Lord — and something to be received with Him. This is the right time for both Pastor Chris and Embassy Church. Ministry sabbaticals are often taken every seven years, and this summer marks eight years of church planting for the Cook family (including two years in residency in Ames, IA, and six years since planting in Bloomington, IN).

    At the same time, Embassy is in a healthy and stable place. The church and its leadership are more experienced and aligned than ever before, and the Elder Team and Director Team are prepared and eager to lead while Pastor Chris is away.

    His sabbatical will last from Sun, May 3 - Sat, Aug 1. Chris will reenter his pastoral role on Sun, Aug 2.

  • The Elder Team and Director Team will continue to lead the church and its ministries. Derek Jones and Nick Harsh will step into increased leadership, both within those teams and upfront on Sundays. This season creates space for additional leaders to step forward and grow. As more people carry responsibility, it strengthens the entire church.

    Elder Team: Derek Jones, Jonathan Kearney, Neal Daunhauer, Billy Judge

    Staff Director Team: Nick Harsh, Derek Jones, Maria Thomas, Eric Johnson, Jess Kearney, Bri Parslow

  • The primary hope for this sabbatical is holistic renewal for Pastor Chris: mentally, spiritually, physically, and relationally. This will include intentional space for counseling to process the past eight years of ministry, and to discern what God has done and is continuing to do. It will also provide meaningful time to invest in his marriage and family, including time with extended family in Texas and Louisiana, as well as family trips to build lasting memories.

  • Our church is invited to pray for Pastor Chris through the three phases of his sabbatical: preparation, experience, and reentry.

    During preparation, pray that the staff and leadership teams would be equipped and unified to lead well in his absence. During the experience, pray for deep intimacy with the Lord and true refreshment. During reentry, pray that he would return renewed, recharged, and expectant as he resumes leadership.

    You can also pray for the Cooks as a family — that the Lord would bring deep renewal for them this summer.

  • From May through July, the Cook family will be in and out of town. When they are in Bloomington, they plan to be present at Embassy on Sundays, participating simply as a family rather than in a pastoral role. This season provides Pastor Chris the opportunity to experience church life without the weight of leadership responsibilities, primarily as a husband and father.  Feel the freedom to interact with the Cooks, without the expectation of discussing Embassy-related topics.

    Embassy-related needs, questions, or conversations should be directed to the Elder Team and Director Team — they are organized and equipped to lead and respond.