Retreat-in-a-Bag - News & Information

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A Speaker Speaks

Posted by Debby on May 16, 2016

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with a popular retreat speaker and ask her some frank questions. I believe her answers will help us serve our guest speakers. I am going to bullet point her comments below. Remember, I am speaking from a small church perspective!

Questions to ask prior to the event:
- What drink or snacks do you prefer?
- Do you have any allergies?
- What equipment do you need?
- Do you like to have breakfast served in your room so you can prepare for the day?
Assign someone to be the speaker’s helper–someone she can call upon for any problem or need. Give the speaker a number to text to get this person’s help.
Do a sound check with the speaker, as well as confirming that she knows how to use any other equipment she needs (for instance, if she is using a pointer or projecting slides). Microphones and other equipment differ from place to place.
We don’t do this, but apparently some churches will decorate the speaker’s room, even to the point of leaving her a cozy robe. But the question arises: Do they mean for me to take these things home? If you do decorate her room, be sure she knows what is hers to take.
Announcements directly after a speaker’s session can distract from what God is doing. Give God time to work. A time of reflection after a teaching session can be helpful.
Give the honorarium check discreetly, after the retreat, and enclose a specific thank-you written after the event. Giving your women an opportunity to contribute their comments and thank-yous to this is an added blessing.
If you leave a gift basket for your guest speaker in her room:
- Remember: if she is flying, a basket may be difficult to carry on an airplane.
- Hotel or camp water may not be to her liking; include bottled water if it is not provided.
- Eating prior to a session may be hard for her; include some snacks in her gift basket (healthy protein snacks, trail mix, bananas).
- Socks are nice.
It is nice to have a coffee pot (or tea, if preferred) in the speaker’s room.

Posted in: Retreat and Event Planning, Lessons Learned, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, News & Information, Your Guest Speaker

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The Word of our Testimony

Posted by Debby on May 2, 2016

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”

I am a firm believer that one of the most powerful tools we have as believers is our personal testimony. We should all be prepared to share the story of how we met Jesus and the changes He has made in our lives–whenever and wherever God opens the door. Every testimony of a transformed life has an impact. Some have more a more dramatic, life-changed-in-an-instant testimony; others have the less dramatic, but still life-changing testimony.

I love the spontaneous sharing of testimonies that happens during times of fellowship or sharing one-on-one. But it has been on my heart to include more testimonies as part of our women’s events. Yes, we want to teach the Word at every event. But when I saw this graphic, it rang true with me. Often, just hearing someone else’s story of how Jesus changed their life is the “key that unlocks someone else’s prison.” And often, just in the sharing of “our story” we are strengthened as we remember the miracle that God did in our own life!

There is one caution as you consider having someone share their testimony from the pulpit in front of the group at your retreat or women’s event. The enemy attacks those who agree to share their testimony–you can count on it. As much as possible before asking someone to share in front of your group, make sure that their foundation is sure. Don’t call on someone new to the faith (or as I Timothy puts it “not a novice”). Make sure you have seen the solid foundation in their life (or as I Timothy phrases it “let these also be proved”).

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information

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Treasures in the Word

Posted by Debby on April 5, 2016

Today I am going to share with you a Bible reading activity that we have done now at two of our retreats that has elicited an amazing response from the women.

Let me begin by saying: It may be wrong to assume that your women know how to read their Bibles for meaning and personal application. Retreats bring out women who do not regularly attend women’s Bible studies. In addition, your retreat may include other churches and guests. The response we have received from the exercise I am going to share today highlights the fact that many women do not really know how to read the Bible for themselves.

In preparation, we choose about 25 different scripture passages (each a minimum of 10 verses to a chapter long) and pray that God will sovereignly determine which passage each woman will receive. These are distributed to the women (randomly) in various ways. This past year, the scriptures were given as a “message in a bottle.”

We did this activity with all the women together as a leader-led activity. After getting their scripture, we gave the women about 10 minutes to read (and re-read) their passage. Then the leader gave the following instructions, giving the women time to complete each task. Pages were given in their retreat booklets to record their answers.

Read your passage, and write down any insights you glean about God or Jesus (His character, His works).
Read the passage again, and write down any instructions or commands to obey.
Look again. Are there any warnings or wise advice to consider?
Read your passage again. Has God made any promises? Write them down.
Ask God what He is saying specifically to you through the passage and write it down.

To some of you reading this, this method of reading the Bible may be very familiar; however, to many women, this was revolutionary!

Our prayer is that this is something that they would take from the retreat and put into practice in their personal devotions.

Posted in: Retreat and Event Planning, Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information

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Multi-Purpose

Posted by Debby on March 8, 2016

Take a look at one of our table centerpieces from our last retreat. Our retreat theme “Deeper Still” used ocean decor. This could be used for any retreat theme where you are decorating with an ocean or beach theme.

You may have to look closely, but the plastic table cloth actually looked like water. Then small blue translucent trays were filled with
sand and shells and two corked bottles which contained more sand and tiny shells as well as a rolled up “message” — thus a “message in a bottle.”

There are several similar bottles that can be found on the internet, but we especially liked these because they came with sand, tiny shells, the message paper and cork, plus a way to pull the message from the bottle. With an assembly line, they were easy to assemble.

I loved these because we were able to use them for multiple purposes at our retreat. As seen above, they were a significant part of our decor. Later in the retreat, we had an activity (which I will share in the coming weeks) where each woman chose a bottle and checked out the “message” for her inside the bottle. Finally, the bottle then became our retreat remembrance – something each woman took home at the end of the retreat. Isn’t it great to find a multi-purpose item like this?

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

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The Faithful Few

Posted by Debby on February 9, 2016

One of our goals in women’s ministry is to serve and build up the women of our church body. As we plan for Bible studies and others women’s events for the coming year, we try to consider women in all stages and walks of life: younger women or older women; women who are single and those who are married; career women or stay-at-home moms; women with special needs, etc. As much as possible, we want our studies and events to be all-inclusive, open and applicable to all women. To that end, last year we added two regular Saturday morning events during the year, hoping to draw in those women who are unable to join us for events taking place during the week. Also, for that reason, the same women’s Bible study is offered both morning and evening to accommodate working women and stay-at-home moms. Our prayer is that the options available would draw in women “on the fringes.”

But at a recent leadership meeting, we were encouraged with this: “Work with what you have.” Yes, we want our women’s ministry to accommodate as many women as possible. We want to be continually drawing new women, helping them get excited about the Word of God and the fellowship and accountability of studying in a group setting with other women. We need to be inviting and encouraging women to attend. However, our focus should be on those who are coming, who have already shown their desire to grow spiritually by being there.

I think of Jesus, who ministered to all who came his way. But His efforts were centered on the 12 men the Father had given Him to disciple and prepare and raise up.

If God has given you five women who consistently attend your Bible study, work with them. Teach them. Disciple them. Encourage them. Concentrate on depth of ministry, not width. Work with what you have.

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, News & Information

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