Pastor Allen's Sabbatical

I’ll be honest—I was surprised when the Elders asked me to take a sabbatical. I didn’t request one, and to be fair, I wasn’t even thinking about it. (That’s what I get for missing a meeting!) But as they laid out their reasoning, I realized something important: this wasn’t just about me. It was about the long-term health of Bay Hills and the sustainability of leadership for the years ahead.

For the last eight years, I’ve been running hard. Leading through COVID. Leading the transition out of my last church. Leading the transition into Bay Hills. Walking through some of the highest highs and the deepest valleys of ministry. And now, pouring everything I have into the RISE initiative and the future of Bay Hills.

I love this church, and I love what God is doing here. I’m more excited than ever about what’s ahead. But the reality is that I cannot keep leading at my best without an intentional season of rest and renewal. I can feel I'm starting to get tired. 

That’s why, after prayer and discussion with our Elders, I will be stepping away for a two-part sabbatical (more on that in a minute). I want to take a moment to explain what that means, why it’s essential, and what I hope it will mean for both me and Bay Hills.

The word sabbatical comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, meaning “to cease, to rest.” It’s where we get the word Sabbath, and it reflects God’s design for regular rhythms of rest and renewal. From the very beginning, God built this into the fabric of creation—working for six days and resting on the seventh (Genesis 2:2-3).

A pastoral sabbatical follows this biblical principle, providing intentional time away from the daily demands of ministry for the purpose of spiritual, emotional, and physical replenishment. This is not simply an extended vacation—it is a time set apart for rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with God. It's about putting down certain work to pick up a different kind of work.

Soul work.

Jesus also modeled this rhythm, frequently withdrawing from the crowds to spend time in solitude and prayer (Luke 5:16). Throughout church history, healthy churches have recognized that seasons of deep rest lead to seasons of effective ministry.

Pastoral ministry is unique in many ways. It’s not more important than other professions, but it does carry a unique set of challenges that make rhythms of rest difficult.

• Ministry is emotionally and spiritually demanding. Pastors walk with people through both the best and worst moments of their lives—sometimes within the same hour. The emotional highs and lows are intense, and over time, they take a toll.

• Pastors are always on call. Unlike most jobs, ministry doesn’t have clear “on” and “off” hours. Even vacations are rarely uninterrupted. A sabbatical creates space to truly unplug.

• The health of a pastor has ripple effects. If a pastor is leading on empty, his family, the staff, and the whole church feel it. 

Churches that understand this tend to have pastors who lead longer, lead better, and love their church more deeply. And the Elders at Bay Hills both understand and recognize all of this. For that, I’m grateful that they care enough about the future of this church to insist that I take this time away. 

I know some might wonder, is now really the best time? Especially coming off the launch of RISE, when we’re asking everyone to step up in new ways.

I get it. I’ve wrestled with that too.

But the truth is—this is exactly the right time.

As a church, we are stepping into a new era. The vision is big, the mission is clear, and the need for strong leadership has never been greater. If I’m going to lead well into this next season, I need to ensure that I’m leading from a place of strength—not fatigue.

Taking this time now isn’t about stepping away from the vision. It’s about making sure I’m ready to lead in an inherently Spirit-filled and well-rested way. 

My sabbatical rhythm has typically been three months every five years. However, pastors don’t usually take a sabbatical just three years into their roles. The Elders and I recognize the significance of this season for Bay Hills while carefully weighing the cumulative effect of my last eight years of ministry.

As a compromise, for the first time ever, I will be taking a split sabbatical:

• The first part will begin on Sunday, February 16, at 2:00p, immediately following the conclusion of the RISE series. I will return to ministry on Tuesday, March 18.

• The second part will be twice as long and take place this summer. I will be away for two months—June and July—and return in August to join you all at Camp Bay Hills. 

This approach allows me to both get adequate time for renewal and minimize the consecutive weeks away during a critical season in our church’s journey.

This sabbatical is not just about stepping away—it’s about rest, renewal, and preparation for the future. During this time, I will:

• Spend focused time completing key writing projects – Including the Rooted curriculums, which will be instrumental in shaping our assimilation pathway at Bay Hills.

• Attend a counseling intensive with Dr. Hud McWilliams – A time for deep reflection, focused vision, and personal soul care.

• Receive leadership coaching – Investing in my own growth so that I can lead more effectively in the next season of ministry.

• Spend intentional time with my wife, Shannon – This season has been challenging with our son Tyler’s increasing medical complications, and we need time together to reconnect and reset the rhythms in our relationship. 

• Visit my kids in San Diego – Quality time with family that has been hard to prioritize in the busyness of ministry.

• Personal solitude – Going away for a prolonged period to be alone with God, to reflect, pray, and listen without distraction.

• Read, rest, and recharge – Making space for renewal through the Bible, books, and unhurried time.

• And, of course, take a long Harley trip – Riding with my best friend, Pastor Chuckk Gerwig, because sometimes, nothing clears the mind like the open road.

This is not just an extended break—it’s an intentional investment in my health, my family, and my leadership so that I can continue serving Bay Hills with strength and clarity for years to come.

Fortunately, I couldn’t be stepping away at a better time in this regard. Our team is healthy, strong, and about to be fully intact. Pastor Anthony Favors will be joining the team shortly, and with his addition, our teaching team will include Pastor Terrence and Pastor Wesley. These are the capable, experienced leaders who will continue to faithfully bring God’s Word to Bay Hills while I’m away...just like always.

I’m grateful for a church that is not built around one person, but rather a shared commitment to the movement of God in our community. Bay Hills is in great hands, and I’m excited for what God will have to say through these leaders.

More than anything, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for being a church that values healthy leadership. Thank you for understanding that this isn’t about stepping away—it’s about stepping back in stronger.

I love this church deeply. I am committed to leading Bay Hills into the future with everything I have. This sabbatical is part of ensuring that I can do that well—for years to come.

I step away with excitement and confidence—not because the work is done, but because I know that God is at work, our leadership is strong, and our best days are still ahead.

I’ll see you soon.

Still Hopeful,