Note from Petey
May 2026

This month, I get to do something I have never done in over 20 years of full-time church employment--take a sabbatical! For decades, CPC has given sabbaticals after 7 years of service to pastors and leaders in various roles, and after 9 years here, I’ll gladly take a turn. I’m so excited for the chance to experience a different rhythm of life and faith, and I’m grateful for a church that allows such a kindness to their pastors.

Before I share a little of what I’m going to do, I want to reiterate something really important. The main goal of my sabbatical is to spend time with Jesus. I want to learn to listen to Him better. To be still and seek His face and discern His voice. If nothing else, I want to have a fuller understanding that His love for me is something to enjoy rather than something to utilize for the service of others. I try to resist the temptation on a regular basis, but it’s inevitable that I start to believe my primary role is as an employee of God rather than a child of God. The work at CPC is good and meaningful, and I know I’m where God wants me—therefore I want to be assured beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am loved even when I don’t have church work to do for several months. So, I’m going to spend the summer wrestling with the truth that I don’t earn God’s love by running a church successfully, but I receive it freely because He is a loving Father.  

The biggest thing I’m doing on my sabbatical is taking a pilgrimage hike on the Camino De Santiago in Spain for 4 weeks starting in late May. I’m not doing the whole Camino, but a 250 mile stretch of “the French Way” that starts in Leon, proceeds through Santiago, and ends at the coast in Finisterre. I’ll be spending the first few weeks solo and Ashley will join me for the final stretch and the return trip.  

After I return, I’ll mostly be taking life slowly at home, punctuated by family vacation and a few short trips. When I’m not hanging with my family, I’ll spend time reading, exercising, resting, and writing. I’m looking forward to a lot of time stretched out on the back porch in the sun.  

I appreciate your prayers and look forward to sharing stories for months to follow. Thank you for loving us so well. I’ll add that for me, taking a sabbatical is also because I love you all so much. I want to be a healthy leader for the long run, and this is an important step of learning to let Jesus lead our church (and me!). As you are surely aware, our church is collaboratively led by a whole team of leaders and pastors, elders and deacons, and volunteers and other servants. Just like this time will teach me that I’m in good hands with God, their leadership will also point you to the truth that CPC is in those same good hands.  

Much love,
Petey