What lessons in community might there be in a sabbatical at Koinonia Partners? I propose a six week sabbatical from late April through May, 2005, which will include two weeks as a resident volunteer of Koinonia Partners. During such time, I would be involved in the life of this interracial and interfaith community, attend daily morning prayer and noon meals, do physical labor with the other residents, worship, and attend the evening conferences available during this time period. Remaining sabbatical time would be spent at home in continued reading, rest, and reflection.

My goals include:
1. To retreat from my normal pastoral routine and enter as fully as possible the communal experience of Koinonia Partners.
2. To understand the world view of Koinonia founder, Clarence Jordan.
3. Experience the efforts to "treat all people with dignity and justice"
4. Read some of the works of (and about) Clarence Jordan.
5. Ponder the lessons of Koinonia Partners for my ministry.
6. Through a journal of my experiences, reflect upon my own feelings of isolation and need for community, both at Koinonia and in the church community I serve
7. Give adequate time for rest, recreation, and reflection.