Zack Hunt recently wrote a blog post containing a rather unusual suggestion: sabbaticals from church for all churchgoers. Rather than stating with certainty that this is the best or even right way forward, he raises the idea as a possibility. Hunt suggests
that we make taking a sabbatical from church an accepted, if not encouraged, part of the Christian life for lay people.
That’s right.
I think it might be a good idea for all of us, from time to time or even just once in our lives, to take a break from going to church every Sunday morning.
So What?
Hunt’s atypical proposal is not about absence for the sake of absence, but rather “something more intentional, something more formative and more productive both for the people taking the break as well as for the church.” He suggests that the time away could be a month, six months or even a year.
- What do you believe could be some of the greatest benefits from these sabbaticals for those taking them? for the churches?
- Overall, would you be comfortable with your church encouraging members and active participants to consider a sabbatical? why or why not?