WHY A SABBATICAL MATTERS

A sabbatical is more than time off—it’s a time set apart. In Mark 6:31, Jesus said to His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Even Jesus, the Son of God, practiced regular rhythms of rest, retreat, and prayer. He knew that spiritual strength is renewed in stillness, and that rest is often where revelation is born.


This sabbatical gives our senior pastor a focused season to hear from God, reflect deeply, and be refreshed in mind, body, and spirit. It also gives our church an opportunity to grow—stretching our faith, stepping up in leadership, and supporting the ministry together.


Scripture encourages us in Galatians 6:6 to “share all good things with the one who teaches.” What better gift can we offer than time—time to breathe, time to listen, and time to return stronger than ever.


This is a holy pause, a faithful practice, and a powerful investment in the future of our church. As we walk through this season, let’s embrace God’s rhythm of rest—trusting that He is working even as we slow down—and believe that the best is still ahead.

SAbbATICAL FAQs

Our senior pastor leads with strength, passion, and faithfulness—carrying the weight of spiritual responsibility while continually pouring into others.  A pastoral sabbatical is about making space to refuel—it’s about stepping into God’s rhythm of rest, trusting that renewal is part of His design for sustainable, long-term leadership.


From the very beginning, God modeled a pattern of work and rest. “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…” (Genesis 2:2-3). That rhythm wasn’t just for creation—it was established for His people. In Exodus 20:8-10, God calls His people to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy... On it you shall not do any work.” God knew that rest isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s how we stay aligned with Him, sustained by Him, and ready for what’s ahead.


We know you may have questions about what this sabbatical means—for our pastor, for our church, and for the journey ahead. This webpage is here to help you find clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how this sacred time will be used to honor both our pastor and the Savior he follows.

  • A carefully planned period of time in which a pastor is granted space and time apart from the overall and daily ministerial responsibilities to spend focused, uninterrupted time in rest, reflection and renewal (Mark 6:31; Psalm 46:10). A sabbatical is not an extended vacation, but an opportunity for the pastor to focus on His personal renewal and development for the betterment of the ministry upon his return.

  • In the Bible, the Sabbath (from which the word “sabbatical” comes) was not an option. A weekly Sabbath is one of the 10 commandments. In addition, many leaders in the Bible took an extended time away from crowds or ministry responsibilities in order to spend uninterrupted time with God, to be renewed and prepared for the next phase of ministry – Paul (Galatians 1:15-18), Jesus (Matthew 4:1, 2). Church leaders, however, often struggle with a weekly “true Sabbath” more than most people because Sunday is one of their busiest days and there is always much ministry work to be done throughout the week.  

  • Due to the intensity of the work of most pastors, it is recommended by most denominations and church oversight groups that pastors are granted a 2 to 6 month sabbatical leave every seven years. Pastor James’ last sabbatical was in 2012.

  • There is a continual strain of ministry demands that affects a pastor spiritually, physically, emotionally and his family. The responsibilities of a pastor, especially a pastor of a rapidly growing congregation like NCBF, include the overall spiritual intensity of ministry requiring exorbitant prayer and spiritual alertness, visionary and ongoing development of ministries, membership counseling, membership oversight, marriage counseling/ officiating, outreach initiatives, crisis management of members, membership health and bereavement, weekly preparation for multiple speaking assignments, leadership oversight and development, personnel/ staff oversight and training, involvement in citywide events, involvement in church-wide events, strategic planning, budget planning, administration of the ministry.

  • The pastoral sabbatical provides Pastor James with an opportunity for rest, personal renewal, family, deeper studying and reflection on the vision of New Community Bible Fellowship.

  • Pastor James and Sister Tanya will be away from the ministry from mid-May, 2025 until September 2025. His first Sunday back in the pulpit is expected to be September 7, 2025.

  • No, this sabbatical is not due to any health concerns. Pastor James is in excellent health and cancer free. The sabbatical will enable him to have time to enhance his exercise discipline.

  • Absolutely not. Pastor Kevin is looking forward to this sabbatical as a time to rest, refresh, reflect, and renew his vision and energy for NCBF as the church enters the next chapter of its growth and impact in our community and city.

  • Pastor James and Sister Tanya will travel internationally and within the US; they will participate in retreats, have time with family and friends and spend quiet time in rest and reflection. 

  • Sister Tanya will also spend this sabbatical time away from the ministry. She will travel with Pastor Kevin and they will go through daily steps of renewal together. There will also be times throughout the sabbatical that Pastor Kevin will retreat alone, but overall he desires to have his wife closely walk with him throughout his sabbatical season.

  • The plan is for Pastor James and Sister Tanya to spend uninterrupted time completely away from the ministry responsibilities.  

  • NCBF is blessed to have talented preachers and ministers on staff. Our usual in-house Pastors will help provide Sunday preaching. Additionally, Pastor James has invited some extraordinary speakers for the Sunday pulpit ministry, including many whom you have already heard.  

  • Pastor James, the Executive Leadership Team and Elders have assigned key areas of the ministry to our executive and director level staff.  They are talented, hardworking, and dedicated to carrying out the vision of NCBF.  The church also has a great overall staff, officers and servant leaders (volunteers).  


    Pastor James believes the church is especially healthy and will be in very capable leadership hands, which will enable him to take this sabbatical time away with complete confidence.  He is hopeful that there will be no crisis or extraordinary events to occur during his absence, but in case something does occur, Pastor James has asked Pastor Marshal Ausberry to serve as Senior Elder in Charge of the Ministry.

  • NCBF is blessed to have talented preachers and ministers on staff.  Our usual in-house Pastors will help provide Sunday preaching. Additionally, Pastor James has invited some extraordinary speakers for the Sunday pulpit ministry, including many whom you have already heard.  

  • Pastor James loves NCBF and believes in its leaders, staff and the congregation. All areas of the church will be in capable hands and it will continue to grow and thrive in all of the duties God have given to our church.


    Pastor James expects the members to stay faithful in attendance, service and giving during his sabbatical. He expects all the ministries to continue operating and that people will be saved and many will join NCBF. Pastor James has said, “New Community is successful because Jesus Christ is working in and through our church.” This should not change during the sabbatical.

  • Last August, the Lilly Foundation awarded New Community Bible Fellowship a financial grant to help pay for cost related to Pastor James Sabbatical leave and other expenses the church will incur as Pastor James is on leave. The application and approval process was demanding and detailed! Therefore, we are very grateful that Lilly Foundation has extended these resources to our church and our pastor. We are also grateful for the many members and NCBF's Sabbatical Committee! They worked diligently with Pastor James and the staff to accomplish this feat. A very special thanks to Sister Barbara Shelton, Sister Theresa Anderson and Pastor Marshal Ausberry.

  • During Pastor James' sabbatical, we have made special plans to encourage all our members to go through their own personal renewal. These plans include Sunday sermons teaching on rhythms of renewal: staying spiritually, mentally, physically and relationally healthy. Pastor James is especially excited about the time he will spend reflecting on the vision for New Community's future. He plans to take everything he learns from his sabbatical and use it to develop New Community into an even-stronger church.

  • For additional questions, please contact Pastor Marshal Ausberry (216-397-7992, ext 2013)

    or his assistant Sister Barbara Shelton (216-397-7992, ext 2040)