The Bearded Baptist Back Home

An On Second Thought Special Series

The Bearded Baptist Back Home
Week Eight: Perspective
A Sabbatical Travelogue by Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

The longer I’m on sabbatical leave, the more some things fade in memory and importance and other things sharpen. I suppose it is called perspective. I have effectively removed myself from the duties of my desk, largely because of my trust in a superb staff. But as I have distanced from the work, you all have come more clearly into focus. In other words, I don’t miss the pile on my desk, but I miss you terribly. I wake and pray for those of you who are sick, those who are embroiled in family strife, those who are just walking a difficult stretch of the road. You have been with me for these weeks away. I miss breakfast meetings and office appointments and lunch meetings and Wednesday nights around the table. I miss home visits and Thursday nights at George Trusler’s dinner counter. I miss the relationships that have become dearer to me than I realized.

I also miss worship. I sit in the pulpit chair and look across the faces, stories, struggles and relationships and we open hymnals and sing the unifying message of God’s love in Christ and somehow the relationships forge stronger. Worship means more in relationship.

This week, I am in North Myrtle Beach, SC where my family has gathered for summer vacation for the last 31 years. Our first summer here, my twins were two. The house we rented was for my family of four, my parents, my two sisters and one brother-in-law. This summer, there are 18 of us sharing one house and some of us are missing. Cousins playing in the surf – my grandson, Cooper, wrestling the newest in-law – Lucy carried to the car by whomever is closest to pick her up. Last night, the boys lost to the girls in a game of Taboo. After 31 years of tradition, the texture of our relationships is richer. We continue to build on the stories we share.

I am more convinced that our life together at SPdL must focus on relationships. Distance and perspective have highlighted the importance… our relationship to God and each other is what will endure. Our activities and programs must serve to deepen those relationships, or their value challenged. But our relationships must not only deepen; they must also widen. Our family beach trip is more fun because the size of the group has expanded through new relationships of love. The group flying to Miami in a few weeks are picking up on six years of relationship with underserved children there. Through mission and outreach we will include more people into the richness of the relationships we enjoy.

Please do me a favor – before I get back to wearing a tie, invite someone to lunch or plan to come by their house for a visit. Do something intentional to deepen the relationships that bind us in Christ’s love. I look forward to joining that fun soon.

I love being your pastor,
Dock