This sabbatical plan has two components. The first is personal . I will explore my father’s life as a POW in WWII. My father was a dedicated Christian who served the church as faithfully as he served his country. His story shaped me as a person and as a pastor. In 1984 I began interviewing him. But I will not only be writing his story. I will be drawing and painting it. I have already completed two paintings in preparation for this journey(attached): my father in uniform and, an architect of the Bataan Death March which my father survived. However, there is also a professional and congregational component.
The congregation will be exploring their individual and corporate stories. As they explore their past and vision a different future, they are learning to see God’s story of which they are a part. I also will be visiting and consulting with other more mature multicultural churches to learn their stories and how they have been able to maintain unity of mission. Discovering and embracing our stories as part of God’s story will help us as we move forward in mission.