My Dear Friends:

I have a confession to make—I have no idea how to take a sabbatical. The concept of granting an elongated period for study, reflection, and renewal has long been de rigueur in academia, but the Church only realized its benefits in the past decade or so. First Presbyterian, Bentonville is the first situation I have encountered that included a sabbatical as part of my Terms of Call.

Consequently, I have no idea how to handle it.

My guess is— neither do you.

What I can tell you is that my time away is not playtime (although 2 weeks of my vacation will be included). I am already working with Dr. Richard Boyce of Union-PSCE in Charlotte, NC on my preaching and I will continue the collaboration throughout the summer. I have a list of 5 of the great works of American literature assigned to me by my AP English-teaching daughter. I am hoping to get away on a retreat-type situation with some colleagues at some point.

And I can tell you this—I am no less your pastor during the summer than I am now…I will not pray for you any less fervently—my deep affection for you will not diminish.

You have work to do as well while I am gone—to keep this church vibrant and determined and focused on the work of our Lord. I urge you to make attendance at weekly worship an absolute priority during the summer. It is so easy to let worship slide when there is so much to do…but worship represents the heartbeat of any congregation. And if the heart is weak, the body suffers mightily.

Worship is not dependent on the presence of any one person (meaning a particular preacher). Instead, worship is dedicated to the Presence of the Only Person Who Really Matters—Jesus Christ.

Finally, friends, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

God bless you all.

Arthur F. Fogartie

To the saints in First Presbyterian Church, Bentonville:
Grace to you and Peace from our Lord, Jesus Christ.

"Presbyter" is the Greek word for "Elder", and the Presbyterian Church is by definition a church that is governed by elders.

The one power that the congregation of a Presbyterian Church has is to elect it's elders (and deacons, where a church has deacons).  The pastor of the church is an elder, but the pastor is a member of the session and must be elected by the congregation, even thought the pastor is not a member of the congregation.  Rather, the pastor is an ordained elder member of the presbytery of which the congregation is a part.

Several months ago, this congregation met to elect a committee to seek and interview candidates for the position of associate pastor in this church.  Such committees always work long and hard.  After months of work, they are now ready to report to the congregation on the results of their search; and the congregation has been called to meet at the close of worship on Sunday, July 11, to hear and act upon a report from its Associate Pastor Nominating Committee.

This is a very important step in the life of this church and I hope that every one of you will make every effort to be present for this important meeting.

This church has grown both in number of members and in the number and diversity of programs and activities that are all part of its life and work.  Your pastor, Arthur Fogartie, is highly motivated, talented, able, and energetic; but you decided that the time had come for the church to seek help for him in leading your ministry.  You selected a very competent committee to seek this help.  Now the time has come to hear and act on a report from this committee.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, July 11, as you convene to take this important step.

May God be with you as you proceed in this venture.