Jun
26
2010
Summer Days: On Writing, Rest, and Blogging
Next Wednesday the DeYoungs will be set out on their annual trip out west. As we’ve done the past several years, we’ll be spending most of our time with Trisha’s parents in Colorado Springs. University Reformed Church graciously allows me four weeks of study leave each summer. Without this time I would not be able to write books. I always miss my church when I’m away and am so grateful for their encouragement. It’s a wonderful place to work and minister. But I also really enjoy the time away from the daily grind and a chance to dig into writing.
This summer, we will be gone the entire month of July (people will be staying in the house, so no funny business). In addition to some down time (vacation), I’ll be working on a few projects (study leave). I have a couple small articles to write and hope to plan out the preaching schedule for the rest of the year. The big task is to complete my part of a co-authored book (with Greg Gilbert) on What is the Mission of the Church? (Crossway 2011). I’ve done a lot of research over the past months, but now I have to put my thoughts on paper. I have four or five chapters to write, or about 30,000 words.
For better or worse, I won’t be blogging as much over the next month. It’s hard to have a vacation or to write a book if you’re blogging every day. I’ll still try to do Monday Morning Humor (first things first, you know). Beyond that, I will write at least once a week. Filling in the gaps will be a cadre of guest bloggers. Filling in the other gaps will be an occasional re-post or, gasp, an open day.
Here are the friends helping me out with some guest blogs over the next weeks.
Andy Naselli is a Research Manager for D.A. Carson and Administrator of Themelios. He is the husband of Jenni and father of Kara Marie. He has more Ph.D.’s than children.
Jason Helopoulos is the pastor of Providence PCA, a PCA church plant in East Lansing, MI. He is married to Leah and they have two children, Gracen and Ethan.
Doug Phillips is Executive Pastor of Ministries at South Church in Lansing, MI. He is husband to Becky and a formidable croquet player.
Dale Van Dyke pastors at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI (just outside of Grand Rapids). He is married to Joanne and has four (mostly) grown children.
These guys are all good friends. I look forward to reading their stuff along with the rest of you.
I hope you all have a great July. I know I’m looking forward to mine.