Walking Together Through Our Seventh Year Sabbath
Church family,
The announcement of our Seventh Year Sabbath has produced a wide range of responses. Some have expressed support, some have sincere questions, some have responded with opposition, and others have not yet heard what lies ahead. Questions about ministry to children and students, the efforts of our volunteers, outreach, and what will continue during 2027 are understandable. We are grateful that so many care deeply about this church and the people we serve.
In the near future, the elders will provide a fuller, written explanation of the Seventh Year Sabbath—why we believe it is necessary, what will change, what will continue, and what we hope to accomplish. We ask you to read that explanation carefully before reaching conclusions about the decision or the motives behind it.
Until then, James gives us a wise posture: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). We ask everyone—including ourselves as elders—to receive those words with humility. Our immediate appeal is simple: strive for the unity of the church, come directly to the elders with your concerns, and prayerfully consider whether your response is pleasing to God.
This moment is testing more than our opinion of a ministry strategy. It is testing how we respond when we disagree, whether we trust the leaders God has appointed, and whether our conduct displays the character of Christ.
What We Are—and Are Not—Saying
The Seventh Year Sabbath is not an abandonment of ministry, nor is it an indictment of previous ministries as unfruitful.
God has worked through the programs and ministries of this church. People have heard biblical truth, developed meaningful relationships, received care, and grown in their faith. Faithful volunteers have invested countless hours, and we are deeply grateful for them. Even one person reached with the gospel is valuable because every person bears the image of God and every soul matters eternally.
The question is not whether past ministries have produced fruit. The question is whether we can equip more people to participate personally in ministry and pursue even greater fruit. We believe we can.
Relational evangelism and discipleship are among the most effective means of making disciples. Jesus preached publicly, but His disciple-making was also deeply personal. He called people to follow Him, shared meals with them, entered their homes, answered their questions, and prepared them to minister to others.
The church’s mission was never meant to be carried primarily by a small number of leaders organizing activities for everyone else to attend. Christ gave leaders to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Every believer is called to grow as a disciple, help his or her household follow Jesus, and invest spiritually in others. Programs can support that calling, but they cannot fulfill it for us.
Sometimes the Vine Needs Pruning
The goal of the Seventh Year Sabbath is not to cut programs unnecessarily. We want to equip the whole church for ministry rather than rely primarily on the efforts of a faithful few.
Jesus said that the Father prunes fruitful branches so that they may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning can initially look like loss. Healthy branches are cut back and the vine appears smaller, but the gardener is not rejecting the vine or denying the fruit it has already produced. He is tending it with future fruitfulness in view.
That is one way to understand what we are attempting. We are not simply adjusting a few dates on the calendar. We are reconsidering how our ministry structure equips people to follow Jesus, disciple their households, and personally minister to others. Some programs, classes, and events will pause or end. Others will be evaluated, improved, or redesigned. The purpose is not to empty the calendar, but to create space for a more personal, relational, and reproducible way of making disciples.
What if some of the time previously given to attending or maintaining programs were invested in people God has already placed around us? What if we opened our homes to neighbors, discipled our children more intentionally, walked beside newer believers, or developed friendships with people who need Jesus?
We are not asking the church to care less. We want to redirect more of our passion for making disciples from programs toward personal relationships. Pataskala Grace has long been a place of hospitality and authentic friendship. We want that to continue and grow, which may require us to make more room in our lives for those relationships.
The Elders’ Responsibility
God has entrusted the elders with the responsibility to shepherd and oversee this congregation. Paul told the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention” to themselves and to the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (Acts 20:28). Peter instructed elders to shepherd God’s flock “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3).
This authority is not unlimited. This is Christ’s church, not ours. We are under the authority of Scripture, and we will answer to God for how we lead. Hebrews 13:17 describes church leaders as “those who will have to give an account.” We feel the weight of that accountability.
The elders have prayed, studied, evaluated, and discussed this direction extensively. We are united in this decision. We believe the Seventh Year Sabbath is faithful to Scripture, necessary for the health of our church, and important for our future fruitfulness.
We knew some people might disagree. Nevertheless, if we abandoned a prayerful and settled conviction simply because it produced resistance, we would not be leading courageously. The feelings of our people matter to us, but neither their feelings nor ours can be the church’s final authority. Our responsibility is to obey God as faithfully as we know how and trust Him with the results.
Courageous leadership is not stubbornness, and biblical submission is not unquestioning loyalty. Elders are fallible. We welcome sincere questions, concerns, and appeals to Scripture from members and attenders. If you have questions, please approach an elder personally or schedule a time to meet with us. We will listen, talk, pray, and open God’s Word with you.
However, once the elders have prayerfully and unanimously made a decision within the bounds of Scripture, we are asking the congregation to allow us to lead. Following does not require everyone to prefer the decision. It does require a willingness to walk together without gossiping, spreading rumors, recruiting opposition, or attempting to undermine the elders’ leadership.
Concern or Criticism?
There is an important difference between sincere concern and a critical spirit. Sincere concern seeks understanding; a critical spirit assumes the worst. Sincere concern speaks directly to the people involved; a critical spirit speaks about them to others. Sincere concern remains open to correction; a critical spirit searches for additional reasons to remain offended.
When we become anxious or angry, it is easy to examine everything through a lens of suspicion. Every decision becomes evidence of bad motives, every imperfect statement another reason to complain, and every unanswered question proof that leaders cannot be trusted. This posture creates an environment in which resentment and division flourish.
It is possible to speak about protecting the church from Satan while responding in a way that gives Satan an opportunity. Paul warns, “Be angry and do not sin,” and then immediately says, “Give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27). He goes on to forbid corrupting speech, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice, calling believers instead to kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:29–32).
We cannot protect Christ’s church through conduct that contradicts the character of Christ.
This applies to all of us, including the elders. We must examine not only what we believe but also how we speak, listen, and treat one another. Before speaking about the Seventh Year Sabbath, we encourage each person to ask:
Guarding the Unity of Christ’s Church
Scripture commands us to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” while being eager “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2–3). Unity does not require the absence of disagreement. It requires our disagreements to be governed by truth, humility, love, and self-control.
Our church has experienced painful division in the past, and we do not want to repeat that history. If disagreement over ministry methods becomes suspicion, gossip, competing factions, or personal hostility, the damage will extend far beyond any one program. Satan would gladly use an argument about how to pursue ministry to prevent us from pursuing ministry at all.
Therefore, until the fuller explanation is provided, we ask you to withhold judgment. Pray for your elders. Refuse to participate in gossip or speculation. If you hear something troubling, verify it rather than repeating it. If you have a concern, speak directly with an elder. Guard your words, examine your heart, and assume the best of your brothers and sisters.
Above all, pray that this Sabbath will deepen our dependence upon God. This is not ultimately about our plans, programs, or abilities. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Unless God works through us, no ministry structure will produce lasting spiritual fruit. Our confidence is not in a strategy; our confidence is in Christ.
We believe God is calling us to create more room for relational ministry, equip every believer for the work of ministry, and build a culture in which disciples make disciples. The new structure will take time to develop and may require adjustments along the way, but we believe we must have the courage to move forward.
May God protect our unity, tame our tongues, humble our hearts, strengthen our elders, equip every believer, and make our church increasingly fruitful for the glory of Christ.
With love, humility, and resolve,
The Elders
The announcement of our Seventh Year Sabbath has produced a wide range of responses. Some have expressed support, some have sincere questions, some have responded with opposition, and others have not yet heard what lies ahead. Questions about ministry to children and students, the efforts of our volunteers, outreach, and what will continue during 2027 are understandable. We are grateful that so many care deeply about this church and the people we serve.
In the near future, the elders will provide a fuller, written explanation of the Seventh Year Sabbath—why we believe it is necessary, what will change, what will continue, and what we hope to accomplish. We ask you to read that explanation carefully before reaching conclusions about the decision or the motives behind it.
Until then, James gives us a wise posture: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). We ask everyone—including ourselves as elders—to receive those words with humility. Our immediate appeal is simple: strive for the unity of the church, come directly to the elders with your concerns, and prayerfully consider whether your response is pleasing to God.
This moment is testing more than our opinion of a ministry strategy. It is testing how we respond when we disagree, whether we trust the leaders God has appointed, and whether our conduct displays the character of Christ.
What We Are—and Are Not—Saying
The Seventh Year Sabbath is not an abandonment of ministry, nor is it an indictment of previous ministries as unfruitful.
God has worked through the programs and ministries of this church. People have heard biblical truth, developed meaningful relationships, received care, and grown in their faith. Faithful volunteers have invested countless hours, and we are deeply grateful for them. Even one person reached with the gospel is valuable because every person bears the image of God and every soul matters eternally.
The question is not whether past ministries have produced fruit. The question is whether we can equip more people to participate personally in ministry and pursue even greater fruit. We believe we can.
Relational evangelism and discipleship are among the most effective means of making disciples. Jesus preached publicly, but His disciple-making was also deeply personal. He called people to follow Him, shared meals with them, entered their homes, answered their questions, and prepared them to minister to others.
The church’s mission was never meant to be carried primarily by a small number of leaders organizing activities for everyone else to attend. Christ gave leaders to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Every believer is called to grow as a disciple, help his or her household follow Jesus, and invest spiritually in others. Programs can support that calling, but they cannot fulfill it for us.
Sometimes the Vine Needs Pruning
The goal of the Seventh Year Sabbath is not to cut programs unnecessarily. We want to equip the whole church for ministry rather than rely primarily on the efforts of a faithful few.
Jesus said that the Father prunes fruitful branches so that they may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning can initially look like loss. Healthy branches are cut back and the vine appears smaller, but the gardener is not rejecting the vine or denying the fruit it has already produced. He is tending it with future fruitfulness in view.
That is one way to understand what we are attempting. We are not simply adjusting a few dates on the calendar. We are reconsidering how our ministry structure equips people to follow Jesus, disciple their households, and personally minister to others. Some programs, classes, and events will pause or end. Others will be evaluated, improved, or redesigned. The purpose is not to empty the calendar, but to create space for a more personal, relational, and reproducible way of making disciples.
What if some of the time previously given to attending or maintaining programs were invested in people God has already placed around us? What if we opened our homes to neighbors, discipled our children more intentionally, walked beside newer believers, or developed friendships with people who need Jesus?
We are not asking the church to care less. We want to redirect more of our passion for making disciples from programs toward personal relationships. Pataskala Grace has long been a place of hospitality and authentic friendship. We want that to continue and grow, which may require us to make more room in our lives for those relationships.
The Elders’ Responsibility
God has entrusted the elders with the responsibility to shepherd and oversee this congregation. Paul told the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention” to themselves and to the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (Acts 20:28). Peter instructed elders to shepherd God’s flock “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3).
This authority is not unlimited. This is Christ’s church, not ours. We are under the authority of Scripture, and we will answer to God for how we lead. Hebrews 13:17 describes church leaders as “those who will have to give an account.” We feel the weight of that accountability.
The elders have prayed, studied, evaluated, and discussed this direction extensively. We are united in this decision. We believe the Seventh Year Sabbath is faithful to Scripture, necessary for the health of our church, and important for our future fruitfulness.
We knew some people might disagree. Nevertheless, if we abandoned a prayerful and settled conviction simply because it produced resistance, we would not be leading courageously. The feelings of our people matter to us, but neither their feelings nor ours can be the church’s final authority. Our responsibility is to obey God as faithfully as we know how and trust Him with the results.
Courageous leadership is not stubbornness, and biblical submission is not unquestioning loyalty. Elders are fallible. We welcome sincere questions, concerns, and appeals to Scripture from members and attenders. If you have questions, please approach an elder personally or schedule a time to meet with us. We will listen, talk, pray, and open God’s Word with you.
However, once the elders have prayerfully and unanimously made a decision within the bounds of Scripture, we are asking the congregation to allow us to lead. Following does not require everyone to prefer the decision. It does require a willingness to walk together without gossiping, spreading rumors, recruiting opposition, or attempting to undermine the elders’ leadership.
Concern or Criticism?
There is an important difference between sincere concern and a critical spirit. Sincere concern seeks understanding; a critical spirit assumes the worst. Sincere concern speaks directly to the people involved; a critical spirit speaks about them to others. Sincere concern remains open to correction; a critical spirit searches for additional reasons to remain offended.
When we become anxious or angry, it is easy to examine everything through a lens of suspicion. Every decision becomes evidence of bad motives, every imperfect statement another reason to complain, and every unanswered question proof that leaders cannot be trusted. This posture creates an environment in which resentment and division flourish.
It is possible to speak about protecting the church from Satan while responding in a way that gives Satan an opportunity. Paul warns, “Be angry and do not sin,” and then immediately says, “Give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27). He goes on to forbid corrupting speech, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice, calling believers instead to kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:29–32).
We cannot protect Christ’s church through conduct that contradicts the character of Christ.
This applies to all of us, including the elders. We must examine not only what we believe but also how we speak, listen, and treat one another. Before speaking about the Seventh Year Sabbath, we encourage each person to ask:
- Have I genuinely heard the elders’ full explanation?
- Is what I am saying true, fair, and complete?
- Have I spoken directly with an elder, or only about the elders?
- Am I seeking understanding or another reason to criticize?
- Am I trying to resolve a concern or recruit others to my position?
- Would God be pleased with my attitude, tone, and conduct?
Guarding the Unity of Christ’s Church
Scripture commands us to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” while being eager “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2–3). Unity does not require the absence of disagreement. It requires our disagreements to be governed by truth, humility, love, and self-control.
Our church has experienced painful division in the past, and we do not want to repeat that history. If disagreement over ministry methods becomes suspicion, gossip, competing factions, or personal hostility, the damage will extend far beyond any one program. Satan would gladly use an argument about how to pursue ministry to prevent us from pursuing ministry at all.
Therefore, until the fuller explanation is provided, we ask you to withhold judgment. Pray for your elders. Refuse to participate in gossip or speculation. If you hear something troubling, verify it rather than repeating it. If you have a concern, speak directly with an elder. Guard your words, examine your heart, and assume the best of your brothers and sisters.
Above all, pray that this Sabbath will deepen our dependence upon God. This is not ultimately about our plans, programs, or abilities. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Unless God works through us, no ministry structure will produce lasting spiritual fruit. Our confidence is not in a strategy; our confidence is in Christ.
We believe God is calling us to create more room for relational ministry, equip every believer for the work of ministry, and build a culture in which disciples make disciples. The new structure will take time to develop and may require adjustments along the way, but we believe we must have the courage to move forward.
May God protect our unity, tame our tongues, humble our hearts, strengthen our elders, equip every believer, and make our church increasingly fruitful for the glory of Christ.
With love, humility, and resolve,
The Elders
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