Two Retreats

Two retreats

According to an on-line dictionary the word retreat can mean one of the following:

1.the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.
2. the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion.
3. a place of refuge, seclusion, or privacy: The library was his retreat.

Let me be upfront - it is not the first one. Whilst we are called to love our enemies this for me is a proactive action rather than withdrawing.

Retreat One

Derbyshire with the probationer group led ably by the Under 5 group. It started questionaingly when I drove up a steep, narrow drive and found at the top that I could not turn round or reverse down. The only option was to knock on the door of the house belonging to the drive and ask for help. Then came the lesson of trust - the owner of the house kindly offered to reverse my car for me down the hill. I accepted without hesitation and she reversed with skill, knowing the drive very well. I was encouraged, relieved and appeciative of this dear lady.

The highlight for me was a session led by Sally on the ministers shaped box. Through this session Sally encouraged us to consider our roles, jobs and expectations - we were then encouraged to write down issues and place things in the box. Then we trampled it down - very powerful and an encouragement to reflect on our ministerial formation.

Retreat Two

You know I am working in a most wonderful ministerial team. Each member is skilled in a variety of ways and I am so very excited to be part of a team which is so pioneering and forward facing. We spent some of the time viewing sessions from "The Willow Creek Leadership Summit." Reflecting on an interview between Bill Hybels (Senior Pastor from Willow Creek) and Richard Curtis (Writer and Producer of such films as Notting Hill, Love Actually) we considered worldly issues and transformation. Additionally, we though of motivation and how to motivate others.

These moments of time out - of quiet reflection - is critical to our development - as human beings, as Christians and as church leaders.

So what have I learned:

Share, care and pray together.
Take time out to be still.
God is transforming people and situations in dramatic and glorious ways.

Also,

Loraine Mellor fan club exsists.
Loraine Mellor excels at miming carrots
Loraine has been bitten - the dangers of pastoral visiting