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7985 Munson Road
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: (440) 257-5565
Fax: (440) 257-3935
Page last updated on
07/05/2007.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to thank the Mutual Ministry Committee and Council for allowing me to take extra time to recharge and renew my spirit and my family during July and August. Taking time to recharge following my surgery will give me the opportunity to take a breath and grow deeper with my relationship with God in order to be a more effective husband, father and pastor. All worship and pastoral needs will be covered by Pastors Larry Mackey and John Anderson, as well as other staff members. The two months that I will be taking is what the ELCA and our synod call a sabbatical.
Pastor Kovitch
(June 2007)
What is the Recommendation?
Mutual Ministry recommends that Pastor Kovitch be granted a sabbatical for approximately two months, commencing July 1, 2007 and ending one week before Rally Day.
What is a Sabbatical?
The word "sabbatical" is rooted in the Biblical concept of Sabbath, which involves rest, worship and reflection. It is a time for pastors to set aside their normal congregational responsibilities for the purpose of renewal. Sabbaticals are granted for a period of two to four months, during which time the pastor is completely disconnected from the life of the congregation. This allows pastors the opportunity to focus on the things that are most important to their ministries and to deepen their spiritual life and family relationships.
Why Should We Give Pastor a Sabbatical, and Why Now?
The ELCA and other church governance bodies strongly recommend that pastors be granted sabbaticals every 6 to 10 years. Sabbaticals afford pastors the time and opportunity to read, write, study, and focus on physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and ministerial renewal. Many sources can be cited to substantiate that Pastors come back from sabbaticals refreshed, reenergized and better equipped to serve their congregations.
In addition, there are several compelling reasons why it is in the best interests of Pastor Kovitch and our congregation to grant a sabbatical during July and August of 2007. These include:
* Pastor has approached Mutual Ministry for a sabbatical and we support his needs. He has expressed several personal and professional reasons why a sabbatical would be helpful at this time.
* Pastor has worked hard, without much time for rest, since returning very quickly from life changing surgery. A sabbatical would help facilitate Pastor's transition into his evolving role as Advent's spiritual leader.
* Advent is in a good position to grant a sabbatical at this time. We have Pastor Mackey, Pastor Anderson and lay leaders who can step in and cover for Pastor Kovitch during his absence.
A Disciple
Daily Prayer and Scripture Reading
Study of the Scriptures in Small Groups
and Bible Study
Spirit Filled Worship
Serving in the church and the community
Generously giving of finances, gifts and time
Sharing your faith with others, loving God and neighbor
I have wondered in the deep recesses of my service among you what would happen if we stopped the use of the words “member” and “membership” and replaced them respectfully with “disciple” and “discipleship?” The traditional use of “member” has served well to define those who belong to a community of faith but does the word truly identify church belonging in relation to Jesus’ definition? We are members of many groups: YMCA, AAA, country clubs, nature clubs, square dancing groups, and the definition of a member in these groups is one who pays a fee that gives the privilege to use the property. Following the rules of the establishment allows one to claim “member in good standing” status. You are identified by the similar interests shared by those who are members. Also, there is a sense of paying dues to receive a product as long as it satisfies the need. This distinction has seeped in the church in order to identify those who belong and those who do not. Is this really what identifies one who belongs to a family of faith? How about “disciple?” This name denotes a deeper sense of belonging as one who is identified not so much by human standards but by spiritual marks. Baptism is a mark; faith is another mark; worship, study, faith active in love, a desire to know Christ and make Christ known are other mission marks. Let us commit ourselves to a movement of the Holy Spirit at Advent that deepens our relationship with God and neighbor by seeing ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ. It is time to go to the next level of faith development that challenges each of us to seek the way of Jesus Christ in ways that we may never have imagined.
This shift from a membership model to a discipleship model always begins in prayer. Prayer is the rudder on the discipleship and will always point us to Jesus. Prayer transforms all of our relationships into love and hope. As I speak of this, I feel a great sense of gratitude and grace knowing that we are so privileged to be disciples together for a time such as this, in a place such as this.
I couldn’t think of any gathering of disciples I would rather be counted amongst than this Advent discipleship. Pray hard for the direction of ministry and relationship development that can only come from such a commitment in knowing Christ and making Christ known.
Peace and Love,
Pastor Kovitch
(April 2007)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ during times like these, all we can do is pray:
Dear God,
This world can be so dark and cold, we pray for your light and warmth. This world can be so afraid and angry, we pray for your hope and love. When human institutions disappoint us be they sacred or secular, show us your way dear Lord. When leaders let ego and self righteous pride cloud their judgment, save us from ourselves dear Lord. When being right becomes more important than being compassionate as we hurt and exclude because we are self-justified, humble us holy God.
You have created us in your image forgive us when we aren't satisfied with the reflection and delve into spiritual makeovers to hide our imperfections. Equip and empower us to live lives captive to joy and reflective of your good pleasure. Teach us how to dance even when the world steals our heart’s song. Teach us how to sing to the music of heaven.
We pray for the world to wage peace and unlearn war and to be granted a mustard seed faith that can remove mountains – mountains of apathy, mountains of fear, mountains of hatred. We pray for courageous faith and the determination to stand in the gap for our neighbor – the gap between heaven and hell, between life and death, between fear and hope, between outcast and hospitality. Open our eyes to see you in the face of our brother and sister. Open our ears to the cry of the poor and lonely. Open our mouths to speak out as advocates of justice. Open our arms to embrace our enemies. Open our hands to clasp another in common mission. Move our feet to go and meet the world on your terms. Open our minds to new ideas and new creations and new relationships. Open our hearts to the capacity to love unconditionally. Open our souls to receive your forgiveness and spirit so that we may have the power to love ourselves.
It’s so hard, dear Lord, when our eyes are on ourselves to see you. It’s so hard to reach out to others when we are afraid to get our hands dirty. It’s so hard to stand for love when we stand alone. Forgive our inability to forgive ourselves and others. Forgive our double mindedness when we know what you would have us do and we do the very think you hate. Forgive our wanderlust and pride that consume us and silence our prayer life.
Come, dear God, come and set us free. Come and show us the way. Come and bring us home. Embrace our prodigal ways with your extravagant love and let us party in your holy presence. Thank you for the gift of grace, joy, and hope for without them we could not even pray. It is in the power of your creative resurrecting power that we come before you. Amen.
Yours In God's Love,
Pastor Kovitch
(May 2007)