Presbyterian Mission Agency sabbatical Archives

‘I was quickly approaching burnout’

Posted January 27th, 2022

For seven years, Nick Pickrell, organizer of The Open Table in Kansas City, Missouri, has been hustling to keep the new worshiping community afloat. There was a lot of grant writing and developing — not to mention the community’s antiracism training business. Finally, last summer, Pickrell was able to take a break, thanks to Sabbath & Sabbatical Grants from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement.

‘Pastors are the unsung heroes helping people get through the pandemic’

Posted August 24th, 2021

Thanks to Sabbath and Sabbatical Grants from 1001 New Worshiping Communities, 35 leaders in the new church movement began taking sabbaticals earlier this summer. The response to these grants — all available grants were awarded — has been tremendous.

‘I realized that I needed to start doing a better job with self-care’

Posted August 11th, 2021

The Rev. Dr. T. Janel Dixon exudes a positivity and boundless energy that give the impression that she can do it all. And, in many ways, she does.

‘Our model for that is Jesus’

Posted May 20th, 2021

1001 New Worshiping Communities (NWC) is offering its leaders and pastors an opportunity for rest, renewal, and reflection time through a round of Sabbath and sabbatical grants. There are two opportunities available:

Sabbatical at a time of loss

Posted March 12th, 2021

The Rev. Woong-Sik (Timothy) Chon, a visual artist and senior pastor at North Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lansing, Michigan, is passionate about the need for ministers to take sabbatical for personal and professional renewal.

Sabbaticals are a must for healthy pastors and healthy congregations

Posted March 20th, 2020

Presbyterian congregations are learning that extended time off for pastors is not a luxury but a must for healthy and vibrant ministry.

1001 NWC videos inspire pastor to produce stories from Coastal Carolina Presbytery

Posted June 7th, 2017

The Rev. Evan Harrison of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina had an idea. Given to him by God, he says, through inspiration he received watching Presbyterian Mission Agency 1001 New Worshiping Community videos — and from what he saw happening in churches throughout the Coastal Carolina Presbytery.