For the new phase to begin, there are some technical and design things that need to be worked out in the next week. Therefore, I am effectively “signing off” until the week of January 22.

Don’t worry about having to re-subscribe or find me somewhere else on the web. We hope to get all those kinks worked out so that the transition will be smooth. You’re welcome to speculate in the comments about what’s going on with the blog, but I can neither confirm nor deny.

See you on the other side!

For the past three years, I have taken a break from blogging during the month of July. I have found that this time away has been spiritually and mentally refreshing.

This year, I’m planning something a little different. Instead of letting the blog soil lie fallow for a month, I’ve enlisted more than a dozen talented bloggers and writers to contribute posts and book reviews. I’ve already read through all the contributions, and I have scheduled them to be released one day at a time during the month of July. The posts are great, and I look forward to seeing the response they generate.

I have also repackaged some older posts of my own from the blog, posts that contain ideas that might benefit from being given “new life” on the blog again.

The daily “Worth a Look” posts and the weekly “Trevin’s Seven” will be contributed by my friend, Marc Cortez.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up in July:

• “The Smokescreen of Protesting”
• “Getting to Know Our Muslim Neighbors”
• Jerry Rankin on the gospel and missions
• An indictment on ear-tickling preaching that may surprise you
• What a missional youth group looks like
• Evaluating what “numbers” mean in our churches
• The gift of dead mentors

That’s just scratching the surface. As you can see, Kingdom People is in good hands for the month of July. My hope is that you won’t even miss me! Seriously, I believe you’ll be encouraged and challenged by the guest contributors, and I encourage you to add these bloggers to your feedreader. They are doing good work.

On August 1, Lord willing, I will resume writing daily here at Kingdom People. Until then, I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy blogging. I am continually encouraged that people find this blog useful. But my annual social-media break is beneficial to my soul.

Blogging is an act of stewardship, an act that is fraught with peril even as it is bursting with possibilities. One of the only ways I know how to check my heart and discern where blogging is potentially harmful to my soul is to get away from it.

But this year, things are a bit more complicated. I’m going to have to approach my annual “sabbatical” differently. First off, the number of people who visit and read this blog is twice the size it was last year at this time. In addition, a few months ago, I opened up the sidebar to sponsors/advertisers. Likewise, Kingdom People is available on Kindle for a small fee per month. It seems unfair to expect advertisers and Kindle subscribers to pay for a service if the blog goes quiet for a month.

I’ve considered foregoing my regular sabbatical. Why not just blog all through the summer? Frankly, I need the soul-refreshing time away from the blog world so I can focus on more important matters. I crave the silence of the summer that I have initiated here for the past three years. So what to do?

Here is my plan. First, I will re-run some older posts from my blog archive. Blogging is such a “what’s hot now” type medium that we can easily let helpful content from the past get buried in the avalanche of new information. I look forward to pulling out some older book reviews and articles, dusting them off, and offering them again during the month of July. (I can schedule them in advance, which still gives me time away from blogging.)

Secondly, I’d like to provide a platform for some other bloggers. By the end of June, I hope to schedule 10-15 posts from guest bloggers for the month of July. If you’re interested in submitting something, take a look at the following qualifications:

1. You must be an active blogger yourself. (I would link to your blog or website.)
2. You must be familiar with the Kingdom People audience and willing to write accordingly.
3. You must focus on delivering helpful, edifying content for the good of the church and the glory of God.
4. You must submit the guest posts to me by June 21.

If you meet these qualifications, then send me an email, tell me the subject you’d like to write about, and then we can discuss the possibility of collaboration. I dare say, the quality of blogging here at Kingdom People will rise during the month of July with the addition of some new voices.

About my daily “Worth a Look” posts, I haven’t figured out a solution for continuing that yet… I’m open to ideas!

I am grateful for my friend, Robert Sagers, who has graciously agreed to take the helm here at Kingdom People for the next few days.

Robbie is a Ph.D. student at Southern Seminary and serves as Special Assistant to Dr. Russell Moore, the senior vice president of SBTS. Robbie has contributed a chapter to the recent book, Evangelicals Engaging Emergent: A Discussion of the Emergent Church Movement (B&H, 2009). I interviewed him about that book here.

Robbie is no stranger to the blogosphere as he often writes for Evangel and has filled in for Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds.

My month away from the blog world didn’t keep me from writing a few posts here and there (even if they went un-posted). In fact, I found it easier to write blog posts last month. It is a peculiar feature of the human mind that, at times, we work better under pressure and a looming deadline while, at other times, the absence of pressure provides mental space to think creatively.

Work and rest are woven into the fabric of human life and flourishing. Our minds are stimulated by seasons of labor and diligence, yet we are also stimulated by seasons of rest and reflection.

Blogging is a discipline, for sure. Thinking of something new and (hopefully) valuable for readers each day does not come naturally. And yet for those of us who love to write, blogging can also be a delight. Knowing that I had a full month off from blogging gave me time and energy to think of some ideas that I might have missed had I been in the midst of grinding out daily posts during the hottest days of summer.

What surprised me most during my blog fast was the way in which Twitter and FaceBook have already become ingrained in my daily habits. I continued to check Twitter updates from friends, but I forced myself to stay on the outside looking in. Early on in the month, I had ideas to post or Tweets I would have liked to Retweet. But I decided to stay (for the most part) silent. It was good for me to do this. Taking a break from social media is a helpful exercise that grounds us again in the real world, not the pseudo-online world that can easily sap our time and energy for developing real relationships.

During my month off, I was able to complete a rough draft of my upcoming book on the gospel. This book has been much harder to write than Holy Subversion, perhaps because of my sense of intimidation at tackling such an important subject. It’s also quite a bit longer (a good 15,000 words more) than my first book. But filling pages is not an issue for me. I’m already 10,000 words over my limit, which means I’m now cutting it up and throwing sections away. As my work on this book progresses, I plan on starting blog discussions about the nature of the gospel, particularly how the three-fold dimension of Story, Announcement, and Community converge to give us the apostolic message.

July was also filled with some good family time. Our son is playing T-ball this year, and I just have to share two highlights. The first was when our boy hit a home run with the bases loaded yet had no clue as to the significance of his accomplishment. When I met him at the dugout to congratulate him, he said, “What’s a home run?”

The second highlight was the game in which Timothy seemed highly distracted in the outfield and we didn’t know why. Turns out he was enamored with a tooth he found on the ball field, a tooth that belonged to a teammate! At the end of the game, we returned the tooth, happy that the Tooth Fairy would not be confused overnight.

My wife and I appreciate those of you who continue to pray for my father-in-law. We have received emails from readers who know of his condition and are praying for his recovery. Thank you for ministering to us in this way. Right now, Corina’s father is nearing the end of his radiation treatment, which is particularly hard for those who suffer with throat cancer. He has lost a lot of weight and his immune system is very weakened. We are praying that as he finishes out this treatment, he will soon feel better and that the next pet scan will bring good news.

I look forward to daily blogging again. Thank you for allowing me this time away and for picking back up with me again and continuing our journey together.

For the past two years, I have taken a break from blogging during the month of July. I have found that this time away has been spiritually and mentally refreshing. Though the short-term nature of the blogosphere makes an extended absence unwise from a blogger’s standpoint, my previous sabbaticals have been good for my soul.

So, during the month of July, no new material will appear on this blog. On August 1, Lord willing, I will resume writing daily here at Kingdom People.

Here are some reasons why this sabbatical is needed:

1. Need for Spiritual Refreshment

I always look forward to directing some of the time I would have spent blogging to more prayer, Bible study, and devotional reading.

2. Other Important Responsibilities Vying for My Time

• I am writing my next book, tentatively entitled Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hopes, to be published by Moody in April 2011. I look forward to sharing more about the project this fall. Right now, I covet your prayers, as my deadline is quickly approaching.
• The summer months are quiet around the church, but these are good months to consider the future and ask for the Lord’s guidance in planning for the fall.
• It’s summer, and my wife is home with the kids. I want to be a bigger help around the house this month. Also, our son is out of school, and our daughter just turned two. I want to play with them more.

3. Blogging can be addictive.

I do not want to be constantly concerned about blog statistics, comments, and links. The best way to avoid the danger of caring too much about a blog is by taking a break from it for awhile.

4. Blogs are also inherently self-promoting.

My blog may have good and helpful content in the short-term, but if I ever view the blog as a way to promote myself before others, I will become a self-centered, self-absorbed person whose contributions to the Kingdom will be diminished in the long-term. Having blogged consistently for almost four years now, I think it is wise to take a step back and evaluate the spiritual effects (both good and bad) that blogging has on me. The last two Julys have been very beneficial for me in this regard.

I appreciate the readers who subscribe to Kingdom People and those who visit this site regularly. If you happen upon this site during the month of July, you might enjoy looking through the archives. I believe you will find some articles, interviews, or devotional thoughts that may be helpful.

So, until August 1… I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a personal sabbatical from blogging. No new material will appear at Kingdom People during the month of July. On August 1, I will resume blogging here at Kingdom People.

I know that the short-term nature of the blogosphere makes an extended absence unwise from a blogger’s standpoint, but I took a month-long hiatus last year and found it to be good for my soul. Here are some reasons I am taking a break this month.

1. Need for Spiritual Refreshment
I look forward to directing some of the time I would have spent blogging to more prayer, Bible study, and devotional reading.

2. Other Important Responsibilities Vying for My Time

• Things quiet down at church during the summer. It is a good time to think about the upcoming fall and what God envisions for our church in the upcoming year.
• Our son, Timothy, enters kindergarten in August. We are about to enter the “school-year” schedule for the next dozen years or so. I want to enjoy this summer with Timothy before he begins a new chapter of his life.
• I am taking two more summer classes this month. These classes will demand much of my reading time.

3. Blogging can be addictive.

I do not want to be constantly concerned about blog statistics, comments, and links. The best way to avoid the danger of caring too much about a blog is by taking a break from it for awhile.

4. Blogs are also inherently self-promoting.

My blog may have good and helpful content in the short-term, but if I ever view the blog as a way to promote myself before others, I will become a self-centered, self-absorbed person whose contributions to the Kingdom will be diminished in the long-term. Having blogged consistently for almost three years now, I think it would be wise to take a step back and evaluate the spiritual effects (both good and bad) that blogging has on me. Last July was spiritually beneficial for me.

I appreciate the readers who subscribe to Kingdom People and those who visit this site regularly. If you happen upon this site during the month of July, you might enjoy looking through the archives. I believe you will find some articles, interviews, or devotional thoughts that may be helpful.

So, until August 1… I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

1. The blog is not the center of my life.

After nearly two years of blogging, I enjoyed the time off, and was surprised to discover that I hardly missed blogging at all. Before the sabbatical, I was beginning to worry that I was becoming too interested in blogging (my stats, my posts, my links, etc.). The month of July convinced me, happily, that such is not the case. There were no symptoms of “blog withdrawal.” My time away from the internet simply reminded me that there was life before blogging and life continues just fine without it as well.

2. I enjoy writing.

Several times in July, I experienced the urge to write. But interestingly enough, my desire to write was not tied specifically to blogging. In fact, I found that my joy in writing was refreshed during the sabbatical, since I was not writing for the blog. Come to find out, I enjoy writing. Pure and simple. The fact that blogging gives me an outlet with which to (hopefully) encourage and challenge other believers is merely icing on the cake. My true joy in the blogging experience is writing.

3. Time away gave me some perspective.

In the blogging world, it is so easy to overestimate your importance and your readership. Seeing the number of visitors or subscribers in any given day might give you the impression that you have a large number of devoted readers. Such is not the case. A Google reader does not a thoughtful reader make. Taking July off helped me to gain some perspective. For me, blogging is a tool in which I can improve my writing skills and (hopefully) provide some insights that might be of some value to other believers.

4. I would be just fine if I never blogged again.

The sabbatical helped me see what it would be like if I were to close down Kingdom People one day. I’m not sure I would miss it! That doesn’t mean that I plan on stopping. It only serves as a reminder that I truly hope, first and foremost, to be a godly husband and father, a faithful minister of the gospel, and only after that a “blogger.” Blogging is farther down on my list of priorities.

5. The way I have blogged in the past is the way I should continue blogging.

I did not miss blogging because I have never been a daily blogger anyway. Usually, I spend one day a week (for about two hours) crafting and scheduling my posts for the upcoming week. Confining my regular blogging time to one period of two hours a week helps me stay disciplined and keeps me from posting something too hastily.

If you are a regular blogger, let me encourage you to take some time away. You might learn some different lessons than the ones I’ve learned. But I guarantee you that a vacation from blogging will provide you with some perspective.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a personal sabbatical from blogging. No new material will appear at Kingdom People during the month of July. On August 1, I will resume blogging here at Kingdom People. I will also be making an announcement that my regular readers may find exciting!

I know that the short-term nature of the blogosphere makes an extended absence unwise from a blogger’s standpoint, but I have several good reasons for taking a 31-day hiatus this summer:

1. Need for Spiritual Refreshment
I look forward to directing some of the time I would have spent blogging to more prayer, Bible study, and devotional reading.

2. Other Important Responsibilities Vying for My Time

• Less than a month ago, my wife gave birth to our second child. I believe I will better serve my family if I devote a little extra attention to my wife, son, and new daughter during this month.
• Also, my parents-in-law have just arrived from Romania. They are staying with us for the next five weeks, and I look forward to some quality time with them.
• My responsibilities at church this month are many: including the preparation for a renewed discipleship emphasis in August as well as a mission trip to Moldova in September.
• I will be taking a J-Term in Louisville this month – a class which demands much of my reading time.
• I am also planning to attend a conference at the end of the month.

3. Blogging can be addictive.
I do not want to be constantly concerned about blog statistics, comments, and links. The best way to avoid the danger of caring too much about a blog is by taking a break from it for awhile.

4. Blogs are also inherently self-promoting.
My blog may have good and helpful content in the short-term, but if I ever view the blog as a way to promote myself before others, I will become a self-centered, self-absorbed person whose contributions to the Kingdom will be diminished in the long-term. Having blogged consistently for almost two years now, I think it would be wise to take a step back and evaluate the spiritual effects (both good and bad) that blogging has on me.

I appreciate the readers who subscribe to Kingdom People and those who visit this site regularly. If you happen upon this site during the month of July, you might enjoy looking through the archives. I believe you will find some articles, interviews, or devotional thoughts that may be helpful.

So, until August 1… I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.