Pastor Sean's
Sabbatical Letter

April 8, 2025

Dear Brookswood Family,

By now, you might have heard that I am taking a sabbatical this summer from April 21 (right after Easter) through August. After seven years of service, the church’s policy provides three months’ sabbatical leave, and I’ve added four weeks of vacation for a total four-month break. The Lead Team has been wonderfully supportive in encouraging me to take this time for rest and renewal.

I am deeply grateful to our Church and our Lead Team for providing this gift of a sabbatical for our family’s refreshing. My sincere and heartfelt prayer is that our sabbatical will yield abundant long-term fruit for me, my family, the church, and the kingdom of God.

What is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is an extended period of rest and renewal based on the biblical concept of sabbath. It draws from God’s established pattern of six days of work followed by rest, which Jesus also modeled by withdrawing to spend time with the Father. In Mosaic Law, this principle extended to giving agricultural land rest every seventh year (the “sabbatical year”), requiring trust in God’s provision.

Similarly, pastoral sabbaticals allow ministers to step away from regular duties for rest and spiritual renewal. This practice honors the biblical work-rest rhythm, helping pastors maintain vitality in their ministry while reminding us that salvation comes through resting in God rather than through our work.

Sabbath Plans
I’m eager to use this sabbatical to nourish my soul and inner life, listening for God’s guidance in this season. I plan to enjoy books and podcasts that both enrich me spiritually and expand my understanding of theology and leadership—balancing growth with genuine rest.

As I approach 45, I look forward to developing sustainable exercise and eating habits, making time for walks in nature, journaling, and reconnecting with friends. I’ll also tackle some home projects I’ve been putting off.

I am most excited about the quality time and memories I can build with Julie and our children. Your prayers for our family and marriage would mean so much to us during this time.

Church Leadership During Sabbatical
The staff, Lead Team, and I have been working diligently to put a plan in place to continue momentum towards our Mission & Vision of leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

We are excited to announce that we have hired Harv Sawatzky as our part-time Interim Pastor (24hrs/week) in my absence. Harv and his wife, Sharon, are relocating here from Calgary for the summer, and his first Sunday will be April 27. He will provide much of the preaching, leadership for our staff, and be a pastoral presence on Sundays and for church events. He is a seasoned leader and spirit-led man of God, and I have complete confidence in his abilities. In addition, our amazing staff have graciously stepped up and taken on numerous other responsibilities and tasks that needed leadership in my absence.

While I am away, I challenge each of you as members of the body of Christ to be the church; to intentionally use your spiritual gifts to build up the body unto unity in the faith. I am only one member of the body out of many. Jesus is the head of his church. I will be praying that this time will be as restorative and transformational for Brookswood Church as it is for our family. Pray for me as I seek God and ask him what his invitation is to me in this season. I will miss you all and I look forward to reconnecting with you at the end of summer.

I leave you with this prayer from Ps. 115:1, which reads, “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Again, thank you for this opportunity. I am excited to rest and pursue a healthier, deeper connection with both God and my family. I believe this will lead to more long-term health and fruitfulness for the church as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or the Lead Team.

In His Service,
Sean Horner
Lead Pastor