A Workshop or A Retreat? . . . How about Both!

Businesses and leadership teams and church groups often go away on retreats. In the respect that they are getting away from their usual environment they are definitely “retreating.” But in regards to a retreat from activity, work, business, meetings, etc. that is often not the case. And the content of the time together can only be described as a work retreat (which is somewhat of an oxymoron). We stumbled upon this contradiction, “a work retreat,” as we were seeking to plan some special events for the congregation. As a congregation many have expressed the desire for further prayer and visioning and conversation about where God is leading us as a congregation—what is the future of Our Savior Lutheran Church? What ministries is God calling us to grow, develop, deepen? At the same time many have expressed desire for a time of spiritual growth and formation. We started planning these two concepts as one event and realized what we were getting ourselves into seemed to contradict both purposes of work and retreat. So we separated the two and now are offering two separate events that will strengthen us in ministry and deepen our spiritual growth both individually and as a congregation.

The first event is a spiritual retreat. This is a true retreat, not a seminar or a conference, or an extended meeting. And by retreat we mean: A time for God, a time for assessing our relationship with God. We spend time with the people we cherish and respect. We spend time with God. A retreat nurtures our spiritual life in an environment away from the ordinary distractions of life. In the Scriptures, we read that Jesus would simply go off and pray. Each and every one of us needs time to do just that, and a retreat provides us with this opportunity (quoted from Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center’s web site).

If that sounds good to you keep reading! We are often more able to step back and reflect on our relationship with God when we are able to step away from the usual daily activities of our lives. And so we will head to a retreat center in Leesburg, FL for this event. It will be a 24 hour retreat filled with worship, prayer, faithful conversations, and time deepening our relationship with God. We are not joining another group for this retreat. The retreat will be by and for Our Savior members. See further details on page 5 and consider nurturing your relationship with God through a retreat.

And if you are interested in where God is calling the ministry of Our Savior . . . then mark your calendars for a January workshop on Saturday January 23, 2010. This workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Paul Hill, an author, a pastor, a professor, who is passionate about the ministry of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hill has 35 years experience in ministry and congregational development. Many of you have met Pastor Hill and heard him on previous occasions when he has led the Youth Ministry Certification School here at Our Savior.

So retreats and workshops are two separate things. Both are good! And both are being planned for you. Sign on! And remember, we work and we rest, we workshop and retreat, all to God’s glory.

Pastor Shelly