I'm going to be honest, my first choice was to get away at a lake house or somewhere far away where our student ministry team could pray, play and perhaps even build a campfire. Heck, maybe we could have joined together in a incredible rendition of Kum Ba Yay. Who knows?
It wasn't going to happen. Each of us have been traveling and are incredibly busy. You know, that whole things where you try to balance life, school, family and ministry? It's a challenge.
It was a priority to get away to dream and pray but how? Where could we find the time and energy?
We came up with a solution. Instead of escaping for 24 hours we decided on an in town retreat. Our time was incredible. We didn't accomplish all we would have by getting out of town but for us it was just what the doctor ordered.
Here are some thoughts to consider...
Get Away From Your Usual Meeting Space
We all need a change of scenery. Whether its simply someone's home or a back room at a restaurant, it's important to find a spot that says, "hey, this is different than your weekly staff meeting". We would not have accomplished what we needed without finding a cool spot in downtown Dallas.
Pray Together
The first 90 minutes of our time was spent sharing what's going on in our lives. As each of us shared we were tempted to share ministry needs but we tried to keep our discussion about what was going on in each person's personal life. As a team we're pretty close to one another, but when given the time and space to share it was amazing to hear what's going on in each person's life.
Talk About "30,000 Foot" Issues
Avoid the temptation of getting into the details. You have your regular weekly meeting for that.
Our time was dominated by 2 issues. How are we doing with our students who are in our deepest discipleship groups and how are we doing at our entry points for new students. In other words we assessed and dreamed about the "bookends" of our ministry. Sure, there was so much more we could have discussed but we worked hard at keeping our discussion at the dream / visionary level.
Eat Great Food
After spending 3 1/2 hours at our meeting space we headed to a close by restaurant and had some delicious food. Yes, we spent some money but think about all the money we saved by not going out of town? We laughed, shared stories and connected in significant ways.
Follow Up
This is where the challenge comes is. When you dream about "30,000 foot" issues it's sometimes difficult to implement those ideas. Right now our team is in between the dreaming and the doing. We've dedicated an hour of our weekly meeting this upcoming week to think through what we spoke about at our half day get away.
Getting away for a half day is relatively inexpensive but effective. Spring is a great time to take your team and dream because you have time to wisely implement change by fall.
By the way, if you don't have a paid staff team don't fret. These half day settings work perfectly for key volunteers who would love to dream with you.
When are you getting away?
Showing posts with label retreat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retreat. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Read Your Bible, Pray Everyday
At some point in my life I heard this little song. "Read your Bible, pray ever day and you'll grow, grow, grow. To be honest I hate it.
I know there is truth to the lyric, but it seems way to simplified to me. In my life a + b does not always = c.
For me to grow it is essential that I give attention to God's Word. It seems like "following Jesus 101" but sometimes it's hard to follow through. I fight daily to spend time meditating and praying through scripture. It is life to my soul.
Imagine what it's like for students. They are busier than I am, in school and usually find the Bible boring. Our goal over the last months has been to motivate and inspire students to love the Word AND to motivate them without having them read their Bibles out of moralistic obligation.
It's been difficult, but we're making good progress.
You see, over the last year we've learned that very few of our students spend any time in the Word. Without the constant flow of truth over their hearts and minds they're sitting ducks in a world that constantly pumps lies into their minds.
Sure, they hear good teaching relatively consistently, but that's not enough. My good friend David McNeely says when we just listen to others teach the Word it's like allowing someone else to chew up a great steak and spit it in your mouth. That's not really ideal.
So how do we inspire students to long for time in the Word? Here's what we've done so far. Please, please, please give input. Our ministry is on a journey that's not finished.
1. Emphasize the Bible in discipleship groups
Our 10:24 groups are reading curriculum that gives students understanding of the Bible as a whole. Their also reading a chapter a day and discussing it in their small groups.
2. Focus on the Word on fall retreats
We just got back from our fall retreat. The major teaching was on the power of the Word and why we should spend time reading it. We were careful to say God isn't mad when we don't read it but longs for us to know him.
3. Give students space to actually read the Bible
On the retreat we gave students a lot of time to read and study their Bible. We took two mornings and read through, studied, and discussed the book of Habakkuk. Believe it not our high school students ate it up.
4. Give student a place to communicate with others what they're experiencing.
I just created a blog called "Letters From God". It's kind of corny but reflects how we communicated God desire for them to absorb the Word to get to know God. Hopefully they will jump on line and share what they're reading, what jumps out, and how God is changing them. No one's commented on the blog yet, we'll see how it goes. Our middle school students simply jumped on facebook and communicated they had read their Bible that day.
What's worked with you to inspire students to love the Word? I would love to steal some ideas.
I know there is truth to the lyric, but it seems way to simplified to me. In my life a + b does not always = c.
For me to grow it is essential that I give attention to God's Word. It seems like "following Jesus 101" but sometimes it's hard to follow through. I fight daily to spend time meditating and praying through scripture. It is life to my soul.
Imagine what it's like for students. They are busier than I am, in school and usually find the Bible boring. Our goal over the last months has been to motivate and inspire students to love the Word AND to motivate them without having them read their Bibles out of moralistic obligation.
It's been difficult, but we're making good progress.
You see, over the last year we've learned that very few of our students spend any time in the Word. Without the constant flow of truth over their hearts and minds they're sitting ducks in a world that constantly pumps lies into their minds.
Sure, they hear good teaching relatively consistently, but that's not enough. My good friend David McNeely says when we just listen to others teach the Word it's like allowing someone else to chew up a great steak and spit it in your mouth. That's not really ideal.
So how do we inspire students to long for time in the Word? Here's what we've done so far. Please, please, please give input. Our ministry is on a journey that's not finished.
1. Emphasize the Bible in discipleship groups
Our 10:24 groups are reading curriculum that gives students understanding of the Bible as a whole. Their also reading a chapter a day and discussing it in their small groups.
2. Focus on the Word on fall retreats
We just got back from our fall retreat. The major teaching was on the power of the Word and why we should spend time reading it. We were careful to say God isn't mad when we don't read it but longs for us to know him.
3. Give students space to actually read the Bible
On the retreat we gave students a lot of time to read and study their Bible. We took two mornings and read through, studied, and discussed the book of Habakkuk. Believe it not our high school students ate it up.
4. Give student a place to communicate with others what they're experiencing.
I just created a blog called "Letters From God". It's kind of corny but reflects how we communicated God desire for them to absorb the Word to get to know God. Hopefully they will jump on line and share what they're reading, what jumps out, and how God is changing them. No one's commented on the blog yet, we'll see how it goes. Our middle school students simply jumped on facebook and communicated they had read their Bible that day.
What's worked with you to inspire students to love the Word? I would love to steal some ideas.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Can Students Lead?
This afternoon I'm taking a few High School students to East Texas on our church's first leadership retreat. The objectives are pretty simple.
* Broaden their definition of leadership
* Encourage them to lead by using their God given gifts
* Dream about ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus to their peers
* Help them discover ways they can use their gifts NOW
The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that a person can't lead an effective student ministry without somehow encouraging and equipping students to serve / lead. Engaging the potential of students is a necessary step in a ministry's growth.
Here are some random thoughts on beginning the process of thinking through equipping students to lead.
* Ask students for their opinion.
Sit down one on one with a student and ask them what they love about the student ministry. Ask them what they struggle with. By asking and listening carefully you'll learn a lot but also communicate how much you value this student.
* Ask yourself the question, "what are adults doing that students could / should do?"
There is very little adults do that students couldn't participate in at some level. Sure we want a balance of old people like us around students, but we need to think through opportunities for students.
* Help students dream
You may see gifts and passions in their life they can't see. Part of our role is to help those who are younger think through the question "what if?" What if God really used them to shake their campus, or lead a small group. They're not getting up every morning thinking this way we need to help them.
Throughout the weekend we're going to have some guest bloggers. I'm asking students to share their thoughts and experience as we go through the weekend. It could be rich!
* Broaden their definition of leadership
* Encourage them to lead by using their God given gifts
* Dream about ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus to their peers
* Help them discover ways they can use their gifts NOW
The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that a person can't lead an effective student ministry without somehow encouraging and equipping students to serve / lead. Engaging the potential of students is a necessary step in a ministry's growth.
Here are some random thoughts on beginning the process of thinking through equipping students to lead.
* Ask students for their opinion.
Sit down one on one with a student and ask them what they love about the student ministry. Ask them what they struggle with. By asking and listening carefully you'll learn a lot but also communicate how much you value this student.
* Ask yourself the question, "what are adults doing that students could / should do?"
There is very little adults do that students couldn't participate in at some level. Sure we want a balance of old people like us around students, but we need to think through opportunities for students.
* Help students dream
You may see gifts and passions in their life they can't see. Part of our role is to help those who are younger think through the question "what if?" What if God really used them to shake their campus, or lead a small group. They're not getting up every morning thinking this way we need to help them.
Throughout the weekend we're going to have some guest bloggers. I'm asking students to share their thoughts and experience as we go through the weekend. It could be rich!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Keep It Fresh
To be honest I've never been that great of a bike racer. I raced for 4 years and had a couple top 5 finishes. Our team did very well and won some races. It was great fun to be a part of a successful team but in reality I was pretty mediocre as a cyclist.
Even though I wasn't winning races I was fit. Saturday mornings would consist of a 3 1/2 hour training ride that was about 70 miles. The ride averaged about 22 mph which is actually pretty fast. When I was training I would ride around 175 miles a week.
That was 2 years ago.
Saturday I went on a group ride with some fast riders. At first I thought it wouldn't be a problem to hang on and enjoy the ride. You see, I haven't really been on a serious ride in about 8 months but something in me believed I still had "it" whatever "it" is.
Within 30 minutes or so I was suffering immensely. I couldn't hang on just because I was in good shape 2 years ago.
Here's the deal. It doesn't matter how fit you WERE. All that matters is how fit you ARE. This is true for bike racing and true for ministry.
Are you ever tempted to lean on how God used you in the past? Are you always telling stories of what God did a few years back but don't have stories about what God is doing now?
I'm not saying we should forget God's faithfulness of the past but if ancient history is what you remember most fondly perhaps it's time to do a serious assessment of your life and ministry in the now. It's often an uphill battle to stay fresh and live in the now. God longs to work in you and through you now, not just in the future or in the past.
So here are a couple of suggestions of how to stay fresh. I hope to apply them to my life soon...
Take a 1 day refreshment retreat
Go to your immediate supervisor and ask for permission to get away for a day to reflect and pray. When I do this I take a book, Bible and pen and paper. Sometimes it's great to go with no agenda. Just sit and listen to God. Take a nap, read or just daydream.
Go to a conference
Ok, you may not learn anything new, but being around people who do what you do is almost always energizing. You may not learn anything new but you may be reminded of something you forgot.
Visit another church
Worshiping in another setting where you have no responsibly is awesome. I need to try this a couple times a year.
I know you have some suggestions of what you do to stay current and fresh. Please post them for all to enjoy.
May we be pastors and leaders who experience the presence and work of Jesus NOW. Let's fight to stay fresh.
Even though I wasn't winning races I was fit. Saturday mornings would consist of a 3 1/2 hour training ride that was about 70 miles. The ride averaged about 22 mph which is actually pretty fast. When I was training I would ride around 175 miles a week.
That was 2 years ago.
Saturday I went on a group ride with some fast riders. At first I thought it wouldn't be a problem to hang on and enjoy the ride. You see, I haven't really been on a serious ride in about 8 months but something in me believed I still had "it" whatever "it" is.
Within 30 minutes or so I was suffering immensely. I couldn't hang on just because I was in good shape 2 years ago.
Here's the deal. It doesn't matter how fit you WERE. All that matters is how fit you ARE. This is true for bike racing and true for ministry.
Are you ever tempted to lean on how God used you in the past? Are you always telling stories of what God did a few years back but don't have stories about what God is doing now?
I'm not saying we should forget God's faithfulness of the past but if ancient history is what you remember most fondly perhaps it's time to do a serious assessment of your life and ministry in the now. It's often an uphill battle to stay fresh and live in the now. God longs to work in you and through you now, not just in the future or in the past.
So here are a couple of suggestions of how to stay fresh. I hope to apply them to my life soon...
Take a 1 day refreshment retreat
Go to your immediate supervisor and ask for permission to get away for a day to reflect and pray. When I do this I take a book, Bible and pen and paper. Sometimes it's great to go with no agenda. Just sit and listen to God. Take a nap, read or just daydream.
Go to a conference
Ok, you may not learn anything new, but being around people who do what you do is almost always energizing. You may not learn anything new but you may be reminded of something you forgot.
Visit another church
Worshiping in another setting where you have no responsibly is awesome. I need to try this a couple times a year.
I know you have some suggestions of what you do to stay current and fresh. Please post them for all to enjoy.
May we be pastors and leaders who experience the presence and work of Jesus NOW. Let's fight to stay fresh.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pause
For some reason God seems to work in unusual ways on retreats. Many of you have had a camp or retreat experience where God seemed to be closer and more active than usual. Perhaps it's because we finally hit the "pause" button. You know, we take the time to jump off the rat wheel to take a deep breath, and then exhale. Last weekend at Sky Ranch would be one of those times for our high school ministry.
As soon as students arrived you could tell something cool was happening. It seemed there was a sense of anticipation and hope about what this weekend would bring. Soon after everyone arrived every adult and student found a quite place to ask God one simple question, "God, what do you want to do in me this weekend?"
We had simply been asking God to help us connect with Him and each other in a fresh way. He did. We are still hearing stories.
One issue that is damaging to community and "togetherness" is unforgiveness. One student shared that he has to work on forgiving his father who has essentially abandoned and rejected him. That's God sized stuff. Another student said she understood and embraced the gospel for first time. She is now a Jesus follower.
When you look at us as a group it would seem we don't really "fit" with each other. There is all kinds of economic, racial, interest, religious, etc. diversity, but God seems to be melting our hearts together. Over the weekend students prayed together, shared food together, played together, and worshiped together, connecting with God and connecting with each other.
Hitting the pause button is kind of important. I wonder how often God is working and speaking but we're moving too fast to sit and listen to Him and others.
May we be people who make space in our lives to be still. Will you?
As soon as students arrived you could tell something cool was happening. It seemed there was a sense of anticipation and hope about what this weekend would bring. Soon after everyone arrived every adult and student found a quite place to ask God one simple question, "God, what do you want to do in me this weekend?"
We had simply been asking God to help us connect with Him and each other in a fresh way. He did. We are still hearing stories.
One issue that is damaging to community and "togetherness" is unforgiveness. One student shared that he has to work on forgiving his father who has essentially abandoned and rejected him. That's God sized stuff. Another student said she understood and embraced the gospel for first time. She is now a Jesus follower.
When you look at us as a group it would seem we don't really "fit" with each other. There is all kinds of economic, racial, interest, religious, etc. diversity, but God seems to be melting our hearts together. Over the weekend students prayed together, shared food together, played together, and worshiped together, connecting with God and connecting with each other.
Hitting the pause button is kind of important. I wonder how often God is working and speaking but we're moving too fast to sit and listen to Him and others.
May we be people who make space in our lives to be still. Will you?
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