Sabbaticals, Sabbaths and The Power of Rest & Renewal And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.  - Genesis 2: 2-4 I began writing this blog on Sabbaths and sabbaticals on the Sabbath, while on sabbatical. Actually, I began blogging on the first Saturday of my vacation. That may seem sadly ironic, but writing is how I unwind. It provides a release valve for all the clutter that collects in my brain.  When I was a pastor, not only did I harbor my own thoughts, but I also often harbored my congregation’s as well. Sometimes I felt I was carrying more baggage than the bellhop at a Hilton Hotel.    Sabbaticals, Sabbaths and seasons of rest, including uninterrupted days off, allow leaders to lead better. Rest renews pastors and makes them both more efficient and more effective. I don’t know a single pastor who only works 9 to 5, yet too often I have heard church leaders and congregants make disparaging and snide remarks regarding their pastor’s work ethic. “I mean, preachers only work on Sundays and Wednesdays, right?” One church leader criticized a pastor who regularly posted pictures on Facebook of he and his family fishing. (I would submit that pastors should be praised publicly for highlighting a commitment to family. The best sermons are actions, which always speak louder than words.) Another congregant publicly questioned why his church’s pastor should get a sabbatical. He reasoned, he never got a sabbatical, so why should the pastor? This hurt the pastor, and not much later, the wounded shepherd accepted a call from another church. The position paid about the same, but uninterrupted days off and a 6-week sabbatical after every seven years were part of the church’s personnel policy. Renewed, the pastor is now thriving at his new church. Research from Barna, the National Institutes of Health and others regularly confirms the benefits of rest to prevent burnout and enhance leader productivity, so it’s no surprise that God created an entire day for rest. If you are a church member, I’d encourage you to help implement policies and urge your minister(s) to take a sabbatical to learn, listen and lean on God’s Word and the resources available for personal and professional growth. I’d also suggest that our Lord would certainly affirm His churches to “Let my people go…fishing (hiking, camping, golfing or whatever time away that brings them and their churches, renewal and revitalization)!”     For more info and/or examples of sabbatical policies, email us at Dover.Info@doverbaptist.org . God Bless, Arnold “Win” Davis, Executive Director of Missions

Have mercy upon me, O God! According to Your loving kindness! According to the multitude of Your tender mercies! Blot out my transgressions! Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin! –Psalm 51:1-2 (NKJV) “Please don’t put your faith in me. One thing I can promise is I’m going to make a mistake or let you down. I don’t want to let you down, but inevitably, I’m going to say the wrong thing. I’m going to make a decision you adamantly disagree with. I’ll probably step on your toes or hurt your feelings, so please don’t put your faith in me. Put your faith in Jesus Christ.” When I was a pastor, I articulated some form of this promise from the pulpit. I can honestly say, it’s a promise I kept every year. I remained faithful to my wife, my family, and my church, but despite my best efforts, someone was disappointed or felt like I had let them down. I’ve been thinking about how we Christians often feel so let down. How we feel betrayed, bewildered and/or bitterly disappointed when another Christian lets us down. We may see someone fall from grace (not God’s Grace of course, but ours). Our shock, anger and disappointment seem to worsen when that individual is a well-respected leader in the church (especially ours), a celebrity entertainer, or well-known theologian. Often we focus on the failure first and forgiveness last. Recently, another highly regarded high profile Christian recording artist confessed and issued a public apology for his immoral misconduct. He admitted to a “double life” of “reckless and destructive behavior.” I worshipped with him on Easter. I live-streamed his performance. I featured him in our media. I asked God the same questions I always ask. “Will his behavior hurt Your Church? Will Your chosen lose faith? Will it prevent Your children from asking Jesus to come into their heart?” I got the answer I always get, “only for those who worshipped the singer more than the Savior.” As Ecclesiastes 1:9 promises, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Roughly three thousand years ago, another highly regarded high profile singer/song writer let God’s people down. His immoral misconduct destroyed families and led to a trail of physical, emotional, and spiritual damage. (Doesn’t it always?) Ultimately, this poet and writer of psalms issued an apology and repented, writing some of the most prolific prose in the Bible, Psalm 51. This psalms writer was King David. Undoubtedly, this current Christian celebrity’s sin and biblically immoral misconduct will destroy families and lead to a trail of physical, emotional, and spiritual damage. Once again, I will be disappointed, but more saddened. Once again, I will be reminded of what I have often proclaimed, “Please don’t put your faith in anyone else other than Jesus Christ.”

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." - Proverbs 1:4 (NIV) Legendary college basketball coach, John Wooden is credited with saying, “If I’m through learning, I’m through.” Wooden, also well respected for his devout Christian faith, was an avid reader of his Bible, which sat on his office desk. After an illustrious career, which included ten national championships, he co-authored a devotional (Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks For A Better Life ) and continued to be a lifelong learner until his death at 99. As pastors, church leaders, teachers, and members, it is important for each of us to be lifelong learners. This is especially important when it comes to being discipled. Every Christian should invest time and energy in being mentored and trained in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and knowledge of God’s inerrant Word. For those of us privileged to be called into Christian leadership, it’s also important to stay informed and abreast of continued opportunities for learning. In August, the Dover Baptist Association will continue our support for pastors, church leaders, teachers, and members in their quest for lifelong learning. This includes continuing theological education and degrees from accredited institutions. On August 14th at 10 a.m., Dover will host the webinar Remissioning Church: Growing Churches for the Flourishing of the Neighborhood. The webinar will be led by Rev. Dr. Josh Hayden, author of Remissioning Church: A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life , and Rev. Dr. Ken Pruitt, President of Leland Seminary. Dr. Hayden also serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Ashland (a Dover church). In September, Dover will serve as a satellite campus for the Appalachian School of Theology (AST). Classes will meet in the Dover Baptist Association conference room & via Zoom. AST classes offered this fall semester include Formation for Ministry and A Theology of Paul and His Letters. AST is a fully accredited theological institution and past recipient of Dover’s New Work Grant. AST offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Theology. The Appalachian School of Theology would be a great next step if you or someone you know is pursuing a theology degree and/or considering professional ministry. Recently, the Dover Baptist Association hosted an open house and ice cream social for our Hepler and Fairmount Scholarship recipients and their families. Dover is helping support Christian students ranging from seniors in high school to senior citizens. We encourage everyone to be a faithful lifelong learner, because when you’re through learning, you’re through. God Bless, Arnold “Win” Davis, Executive Director of Missions

"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'” - Matthew 19:13-14 I think it was her innocent giggle that first melted my heart. I was told she was special, and we were certainly an unlikely pair. She was beautiful; an athlete and competing to win the top prize in her event. I was a frat rat doing some college community service when we met. Her smile lit up the stadium, and when I excitedly hugged her after her event, she giggled again. You see, she was my community service. She was competing in the Special Olympics, and I was her Hugger (an actual title back then). I was her encourager, a cheerleader of one for one, and on that day, her biggest fan. That was the first and last time I ever saw her, but her smile makes me smile to this very day. As naïve as it sounds, I had never heard of child abuse as a college kid. Never gave much thought to having kids crawl up on my lap or being alone in a room with a teen. I couldn’t even fathom sexual child abuse. Today, as an adult, Christian leader, writer, researcher and former pastor counselor, I know the tragic truth. The sexual abuse of children, teens and those with special needs is an evil epidemic in the Christian community. The rampant sexual abuse in the Catholic church, highlighted in the media, and movies like Spotlight , has victimized the innocent in my denomination too. Secular and faith-based media alike have had a field day justifiably shining the spotlight on sexual abuse in too many Southern Baptist churches. As a former kindergarten & 1st-grade Sunday school teacher, youth minister and father of little girls (who are now all grown up, married and moved away), I have spent most of my life loving children and keeping them safe. Unlike my Lord, however, I’m neither omnipotent nor omnipresent. Tragically we live in a sick and dark world where children are victims of sick and dark individuals. Although I can’t be everywhere, I can be part of a powerful group committed to abuse prevention, and so can you. Last month the Dover Baptist Association launched a child & youth abuse prevention initiative. We invited ministers, and children & youth ministry leaders to “Coffee, Carbs & Kids,” a child safeguard webinar presented by the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP). On Saturday, April 26, immediately following our Semi-Annual Meeting, we will host a Child Abuse Prevention Lunch & Learn and begin a partnership with ECAP.  If you are a ministry leader faithfully charged with the care and protection of minors or special needs adults, I strongly encourage you to attend. There’s no cost except the cost of missing out on current data, laws and essentials for an effective child abuse prevention policy & program. Every time I look at that picture of this beautiful special child and me, I wonder how she’s doing. I hope she’s well and very happy. I pray her vulnerability was never taken advantage of by those she trusted. I hope a hundred years from now, when we’re both in Heaven, she finds me, and I get to hear that giggle again. Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, but I’d love for her to be my Heavenly Hugger. I’ve always had this belief that those with special needs should have a higher rank in Heaven. One thing I do know: children and those with special needs are safe in Heaven. They’re restored and protected, even those who suffered the unimaginable while on earth. I also know that while I’m on earth, my Lord Jesus has called me, and you, to love the Lord by protecting the precious. Please join me. God bless, Arnold Win Davis Executive Director of Missions

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) "He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap." - Psalm 113:7 (NKJV)  How do you even begin to recover from this kind of devastation? Those were the first words of the first thought I had after entering the north end of Altadena, California. There I stood amidst the ashes, twisted burnt metal, shattered glass, and charred brick, block, and wood consumed by the California wildfires. Here, where my shoes temporarily left footprints in the soot, once stood beautiful homes with well-maintained lawns and vehicles, profitable businesses, laughter-filled school yards, and sacred places of worship. Now, they were gone and/or at best, barely recognizable. I thought about the words of the Psalmist who wrote, “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap.” The poor and needy, in this case, I surmised, aren’t necessarily destitute financially, but a plethora of destitute diverse families and faiths (or none), who are poor in spirit, discouraged, exhausted, frustrated, and in desperate need of Christ’s love. As I took in the devastation, a reporter happened to drive by. He stopped and asked if any of these heaps had been my home. I told him no, and that I was part of an association of Baptist churches supporting the work of The Abiding Church. The Abiding Church is a local Baptist Body of Christ, who are ministering to those both inside and out of their church families. One of their ministries is called an “Ash Out.” Church members go with families to their homes and rummage through the ashes to help the wildfire victims find jewelry and other valuable items, even if the value is only sentimental. One widow, I learned, was searching for a jade ring her late husband had given her.  Another family we met, a young husband and wife with one and three-year-old daughters, had fled the wildfire with only a handful of clothes and items they grabbed for their girls. Admittedly I beamed with pride as my daughter, a graphic developer for Patagonia, came to worship with boxes of the outfitters clothes to help reoutfit the young couple and others. The actionable call of Psalm 113:7 I reasoned, is where you and I come in. To paraphrase, I would submit that “He,” The Lord our God uses His servants to “raise the poor out of the dust.” “He,” The Lord our God, uses His servants to lift “the needy out of the ash heap.” Since, as a Baptist, I’m not governed by the liturgical practices & parameters of Ash Wednesday, I’m making a personal declaration this March 5th to celebrate “Out of the Ash Wednesday,” or perhaps better yet, “Ash (Out) Wednesday.” My plan is to pray and fast for the victims of the California wildfires and contribute to those in need. I invite you to join me. I also plan to lift in prayer those affected by the massive layoffs in government, and the poor – both those financially poor, and poor in spirit, who are struggling mightily. Most importantly, I am praying for unity in my country, in my denomination, and in our churches. I’m claiming the words of the Old Testament Chronicler who delivered the words of The Lord our God, that if I humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked ways, then He will hear from Heaven, forgive my sin, and heal our land. And, Lord knows, we need healing. God bless, Arnold Win Davis Executive Director of Missions

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”…“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”  - John 4: 10, 13-14 (NKJV) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, “out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” - John 7:38 (NKJV) I’ve been thinking a lot about water lately. My daughter and son-in-law are on wildfire alert in Southern California, as homes in their county and surrounding Los Angeles area are being consumed by the thousands. A shift in wind can quickly change their sky view from Carolina (or perhaps California) blue to smokey ash.  Closer to home, stockpots and kettles of water throughout the Richmond area were recently boiled for brushing our teeth, washing our faces, and feeding & watering our pets. Thousands of gallons of drinking water were distributed throughout the city and surrounding counties, as grocery store shelves were depleted by those in need, greed and fear.  Yeah, liquid water is a big deal. Those of us who have petitioned our Lord Jesus through days of prayer and fasting, know that three days, preceded by severe discomfort, is the length the body can go without water before beginning to shut down and perish. From cotton mouth to cramping, water is often the solution as our bodies thirst and cry out for relief.  Our Lord Jesus was very familiar with water. He walked on it. He commanded sheets of it to stop falling on a boat full of frightened disciples, as He bellowed to the storm, “Peace! Be still!”   He cried out for it on the Cross. As Father, He made 3/4th of the earth out of it, and gave Moses the supernatural power to part it. Yeah, liquid water is a big deal, BUT LIVING WATER is a bigger deal. As Jesus temporarily thirsted for liquid water, he explained to the broken woman he requested it from, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water… Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”   During both the California wildfires and Virginia water crisis, there was plenty of water. The demand for it in California neighborhoods overwhelmed the infrastructure and slowed fire hydrants to a trickle.  An outdated infrastructure, and the grab-nabbing of drinking water by selfish individuals elevated anxiety and costs for others and Virginia municipalities.  Undoubtedly on hot and/or heavy cardio days, I will still thirst for lots of liquid water. Praise God, however, that even when I thirst physically, my parched soul can always be quenched by the grace of Jesus Christ. For Jesus provides an endless supply of LIVING WATER, by allowing “rivers of water to flow out of a heart filled with the Holy Spirit.”   Cheers and God bless, Arnold Win Davis Executive Director of Missions