Blog - Page 4 of 64 - Retreat-in-a-Bag 4

That To-Do List

Posted by Debby on April 24, 2018

This is a common theme on this website, I know. But the issue constantly comes up in my life, so I feel that it is appropriate to discuss. Every ministry leader I know is very busy and wears many hats. Often women’s ministry is not the only place you serve in the church, not to mention outside areas of responsibility. We are to do “everything as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23) and “for His glory” (I Corinthians 10:31)….but sometimes ministry can just feel like more items to put on a never-ending to-do list.

When we get to that place, we need to step back and regain our focus. Ministry is a blessing and a privilege — not a burden. Yes, flyers need to be made, we need to prepare for studies, we need to plan events, and there are a multitude of other things that need our attention. BUT God has put souls in our care, and those souls are of great value to Him. Ministry is people, and not just a list of tasks to be accomplished. People can not be checked off our list so easily. People want to talk; people have needs; people have problems that don’t have an easy or convenient solution; people need prayer; people need our time and attention.

How can we regain our focus? The first thing is to go to God and confess our preoccupation with “tasks,” and ask for His help in determining our priorities. We need to pray for the people in our care, and pray that God would give us His heart for them. We need to ask God to be the Lord of our to-do lists!

Posted in: Inspirations, Latest Downloads, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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Welcome

Posted by Debby on March 20, 2018

I want to say “WELCOME” to so many of you who have visited Retreat-in-a-Bag and become a subscriber in the past few months. There is always a flurry of activity as the year begins as women scour the web for ideas for their women’s ministry and events for the year ahead. I imagine you have discovered that there are not a whole lot of websites dedicated to resources for women’s events, and Pinterest can be hit-or-miss.

Retreat-in-a-Bag was originally created to encourage small women’s ministries to use skits as another means of illustrating truths that were being taught in a retreat or event setting. Your women have different learning styles, and often the visual representation can enhance what is being heard. As an added bonus, they have entertainment value that break up the long periods of concentration. We were writing skits with a message, and wanted to make them available to others. A website seemed like the most accessible way to do that. I can hardly believe that was eight years ago!

Our website, and our vision has evolved over the years. The result has been an expansion from skits to all areas of women’s ministry. Besides the “free” resources available for download such as skits, graphics, forms, and quiet-time studies, we now have “premium” resources which give multiple theme-related resources in one convenient resource for a small price. We started with our “Retreat-in-a-Bag” Book Series and now have less expensive Retreat Guides available for purchase, all of which include theme-related Bible studies, skits, graphics and ideas for putting on an event using a particular theme.

Even with those resources in hand, there is plenty of room for you to customize your event as the Lord leads you! I can’t tell you how many times that I have read about someone else’s idea or theme, and the Lord has taken that “germ” of an idea to create something entirely new for our women.

Again, WELCOME! and God bless you as you plan for you women this year. Please let us know how we can be of assistance.

Posted in: News & Information, Resources, Retreat and Event Planning

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Communicate

Posted by Debby on January 16, 2018

As you plan an event, it is important that lines of communication be kept open between leaders, between leaders and servants, between leader(s) and the church office, between leaders and the guest speaker/worship leader, and between leaders and the contact for the venue where the event will be held.

In this day and age, we need to find the method of communication that works best in each of those scenarios. Do you need to communicate by email with your church office and the venue? Do your leaders respond best to text, phone or email? When is a face-to-face meeting best? Do you need a paper trail? Do you need to communicate the same message to a number of people?

I guess I’m old-school because I still like email–I like the written letter or message, where I can print it out if necessary, and look back at what was actually said easily. But I have young women I contact who look at their email very infrequently, and if I need to get a quick response from them, I need to text them.

Make sure there is a meeting of the minds when it comes to communication. Retreats (and other events!) require reliable communication.

Posted in: News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning

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Ministering to All

Posted by Debby on January 2, 2018

Depending on the size of your women’s ministry, you probably have ladies of all ages and stations in life–not to mention differing personality types. It can be overwhelming to consider the variety of women in your care, and all the issues and relationships that they represent. Take a look below at this incomplete list of women that probably are in your church:

Single (never married, divorced, teens, widowed)
Married (newlyweds, with kids, without kids, etc.)
Working professionals
Stay-at-home moms
Moms of teens/prodigals
Empty nesters
Women with an unbelieving spouse
Different cultures
Those dealing with chronic illness and pain
Those dealing with addictions (past or present)
Those in financial crisis
Caretakers
(this list never ends!)

Now all of those can be multiplied by various ages and races represented, as well as all of the relationships each represents. It would be impossible for me to come up with a way to minister to this variety of women!

But God is not overwhelmed. His Word encompasses and can speak to all of these women where they are at, no matter what challenges they face. So if you are teaching God’s Word faithfully, it is truly up to Him to use His Word to minister personally to each individual. So if I can’t provide the perfect program or event for moms, or those struggling with addictions, God is not limited by my limitations.

Out biggest calling is just to love any woman He puts in our paths.

Posted in: Inspirations, Lessons Learned, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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Never Underestimate the Power of a Magnet

Posted by Debby on November 28, 2017

One of the easiest and most reasonably priced giveaways for your retreat or women’s event, besides a simple bookmark, is a magnet. I don’t think I know anyone with a refrigerator that is devoid of magnets! We often cover the refrigerator with all sorts of things we like to see on a regular basis. On my refrigerator at this moment I have photos (those cute grandkids!), souvenirs, a recipe, reminder notes, a scripture, and a few retreat magnets from prior retreats. Truly, a refrigerator can be a prime location for posting mementos and memorabilia–and a magnet will keep the memory of your retreat theme alive.

Magnets can be expensive. But do your research. There are definitely discount places online that will print your magnet. If you have access to a good color printer, you can purchase magnetic sheets. They have adhesive on one side where you put your graphic and then they can be cut down to side. This DIY methods is a great cost-saving tip!

Posted in: Money-Saving Tips, News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning, Retreat Remembrances

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