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Author Archive

Schedule a Quiet Time

Posted by Debby on May 30, 2012

By its very name, a retreat suggests a time to withdraw and a place of privacy or refuge. And yet, we can unwittingly make our retreats a very busy time, where a tight schedule of teaching sessions, skits, activities and workshops are sandwiched between meals. And while women love the activities and the change from their daily routines, we are doing them a disservice if we fail to schedule into our retreats a time to be quiet with the Lord.

Quiet time at a retreat can be scheduled like any other activity. This is time that women are encouraged to spend in the Word and with the Lord, apart from other distractions. Often, we give them guidance for their quiet time, so that those who are new to the concept have (at the very least) a Bible passage to read and reflect upon. An hour is not too long to set aside for quiet time at a retreat!

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Lessons Learned, Retreat and Event Planning, Starting Points in Retreat Planning

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The Dreaded “Praying Aloud”

Posted by Debby on May 23, 2012

There are many women, including “retreat rookies” who have a fear of praying aloud. These women may have a very sweet relationship with the Lord, but for whatever reason are reluctant to pray aloud in front of others. If we think back to our early days as a Christian, probably all of us understand their hesitation. Ladies may even shy away from participating in women’s events for fear they will be called upon to pray aloud. Their fear may result from their lack of opportunity to hear other women praying aloud, a concern that they will misspeak or even pray something that is not Biblical, or simply a reluctance to open up to others in prayer. They may be intimidated by the flowery, spiritual language used by others in prayer. This anxiety normally lessens as more time is spent praying with other women, but it can be a very real fear.

We need to be sensitive to this issue faced by some of our women. Try not to put anyone on the spot. If you like to divide your women into groups to pray at retreats or other events, we would suggest that you always make sure that the prayer groups have at least three women. Make sure that you know that at least one woman in the group is comfortable praying aloud, and designate her as the “leader” of the group. Then, announce that if a woman does not feel comfortable praying aloud, all she needs to do is let her group leader know, and she will be covered by the others in her group.

Posted in: Ministry at the Retreat, Realities of Ministry, Retreat and Event Planning

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Hearts to Serve

Posted by Debby on May 16, 2012

One of our readers shared that her church created a special place for those women who are not currently leaders, yet have a sincere desire to be involved and serve the women in the church. Designated as the “Hearts to Serve” ministry team, these women are called upon at retreats, conferences or special events to serve as the hands and feet of the women’s ministry.

This team wears a special t-shirt or name tag, identifying them as women who are available to serve. They share the burden of ministry by being available to help in innumerable ways, with duties ranging from setting up the room, changing the seating or room configurations, helping women with their luggage, putting programs on chairs, and even keeping water pitchers refilled.

The “Hearts to Serve” ministry is a wonderful starting place for women to get involved within the Women’s Ministry. It also becomes a place where women can be mentored and discipled with the intention of preparing them for leadership, and a testing ground for those women who desire to become more involved.

Posted in: Retreat and Event Planning

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Idea for Table Decorations

Posted by Debby on May 9, 2012

I actually got this idea from a wedding I recently attended. You can’t see it very well in the photo, but each of those “vases” is actually just a tin can. Each tin can had been thoroughly cleaned, and a ribbon was wrapped around each one and tied in a bow. Each contained a spray of fresh flowers or greenery, and each was different. The flowers could just as easily have been fake. Isn’t that a cute and affordable idea?

Posted in: Decorations, Money-Saving Tips, Retreat and Event Planning

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“Retreat Rookies”

Posted by Debby on May 2, 2012

One question we always ask at the beginning of our retreats is: “Is there anyone here tonight who is attending her FIRST retreat?” It is amazing how many women raise their hand from year to year. It is easy to forget how many women are novices when it comes to retreats.

Having these “retreat rookies” raise their hands also reminds us that those “retreat rookies” often attend their first retreat with very real fears and misgivings. Their own insecurities fueled by the enemy’s lies can cause a lot of anxiety. We need to make an extra effort to reach out with some TLC (tender-loving care)! This begins with a warm greeting as they arrive. Making an extra efforts to talk with them about what will happen at the retreat may go a long way to relieving their anxieties.

Posted in: Ministry at the Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning

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