how do you retreat?

maybe a better question to start with is: do you retreat?

i'm in charge of our staff retreat happening tomorrow and am reminded of just how important this time can be... always... but especially as a new academic year is about to begin!

if you're not in the practice of setting aside time to retreat - really retreat... not a planning session/s under the guise of retreat, but time for you to sit (still) and be with God, let me strongly encourage you to start now!

as minsters on campus, with young people who are experiencing some of the most formational years of their lives, what we model will leave a much deeper impression that we realize!

not to mention that our students are much more inclined to 'do' what they see us do as opposed to what we say.

but i digress...



a retreat at the end of a summer, when campus has been quiet, and you have been hopefully experiencing life in a more peaceful way, can be a great way to help you (and your staff) prepare for the upcoming year of ministry.

if your only context for preparation is in regards to programs... then you may need some assistance...

here's what i'm thinking for my staff tomorrow...

1. we'll come together early - i find it best to give at the very least a full day to something like this.
2. make sure everyone has what the need - a Bible, journal, water, etc.
   
3. we'll head of site - campus can be a very distracting place... even when students are not here. not to mention that it will make it much harder for people to find us! the setting has to be one that promotes "retreat" and not something else... i.e. a theme park would not be an ideal place for a retreat.
   
4. i will provide my team with a guide - something that can serve to give them some direction... yet leave them room to deviate if they feel so led. -- a prayer to start the time --some questions to spark reflection - on the past few weeks/months/year - both personal and professional in nature --some scripture that might enable team members to draw close to the heart of God --a possible "assignment" that gets them writing and reflecting further about something... the key is not to over/under fill the time.
   
5. identify a time to come back together - you'll need to think through things like lunch (on your own - in the woods, back at the retreat center, etc.)
   
6. decide how will you end your time and when and where you will meet up - make sure you clearly communicate this with all members of your team...
   
7. identify a time that you will come back together (preferably within a day or two) to share about your experiences and spend some time praying (and yes, planning) together.

there are enough demands on our time that keep us living near the speed of insanity... therefore we must take time - REGULARLY - to retreat and listen for the leading of the One who has called us to this important work.

grace and peace to you as we approach the start of a new academic year!