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Lighten the Load!

Posted by Debby on April 19, 2011

It is often the pastor’s wife or women’s ministry leader who carries the load at a retreat. Not only does she run the retreat, make announcements and introductions, but she may also be speaking at the retreat. And of course, there are always those who want or need the opportunity to talk or counsel with her.

We have found that appointing a retreat coordinator, separate from the pastor’s wife or women’s ministry leader who heads up the retreat, is wise. The coordinator basically runs the retreat. She keeps track of announcements that need to be made. She keeps an eye on the time schedule, so that if the schedule gets off kilter, she can decide how to correct it. Disgruntled women are directed to her so their issues can be dealt with. She expresses the pastor’s wife’s desires–unofficial rules such as “no TV” and “no charges to room service” and she becomes the “enforcer” and keeps everyone on track, leaving the pastor’s wife free for ministry responsibilities.

This takes a great burden from the pastor’s wife, leaving the pastor’s wife free for ministry responsibilities.

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Retreat and Event Planning

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Finding that Perfect Graphic

Posted by Debby on April 8, 2011

Probably we’re all agreed that the perfect artwork or graphic can be the perfect complement to your event’s theme. But finding it…that can be the tricky part. We had several years where our women’s ministry was blessed with gifted artists who were gifted not only artistically, but also had a spiritual gift where they could translate our biblical event theme to artwork in a beautiful way. We know that is not always available. That is why we have made some of that artwork available through our Retreat-in-a-Bag series.

If you do have an artist in your midst, take opportunities beforehand to look at samples of her work. Pray before asking her to design your artwork–it is most difficult to ask someone to do your artwork, and then turn around and reject it. Give your artist as much information about your vision for the theme as you can. You can even ask for a couple different versions. A final note: it is possible that you will want to use that artwork again in the future. It may be a good idea to have your artist sign some kind of permission or release so that you are totally free to use her artwork at a later date.

And, where do you turn if you don’t have an artist in your midst? We’ll address some of your options in our next post, “Searching for Graphics.”

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Retreat and Event Planning

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The Most Important Thing in Producing a Skit

Posted by Debby on November 18, 2010

What is the most important thing in producing a skit? Is it good actors? Is it elaborate props? Is it extraordinary sound and lighting system? None of the above. The most important thing is making sure that every word can be heard by the audience.

Once you have a script, and women (no matter how inexperienced) who are willing to act, the one key issue is that the skit can be heard by those attending the retreat. A good script is one where we don’t want the women to miss a single word. This is a huge issue, especially when you may be performing in a room that is long and narrow, or has high ceilings–all of which can make being heard a challenge. Additionally, your sound equipment may be limited or non-existent. Add to that that you are probably working with inexperienced, nervous actresses.

Just from our experience over the years, we want to offer a few tips:

If you have access to one or more microphones, the ladies must practice with the microphones and how they will be used and shared between them in the midst of the staging.. It is not natural to most, and it is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to talk into the microphone.
If you have to share one microphone, it can still work! We’ve done it! But your actresses need to practice handing the microphone to the right person. Your audience wants to hear, and they will be patient as you make this effort to ensure every word is heard.
If there are no microphones, ladies need to project their voices. While it may affect the expression that can be heard in the voices, it is more important that the words be heard;
A key issue is for each actress to FACE THE AUDIENCE when she is saying her lines! And that is not natural. It is natural to face and speak toward the person you are talking to. But your actresses need to practice projecting toward the audience, especially if no amplification is available.
Have a person in the back checking sound; if room has especially poor acoustics, ask audience to move forward during the skit.

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Skits

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Opportunities in a Smaller Church

Posted by Debby on November 18, 2010

It is easy to see the benefits of serving in a large church. Although I think every church, no matter its size, has a small percentage of people who do the bulk of the work, it seems that a larger church would have more people with whom to share the burdens and duties. Often, a larger church will have a budget and extra resources available. At the very least, with more people, there is a better chance that there are resourceful and skilled people in the church who can advise and provide aid.

But if you are in a smaller church, there are some wonderful opportunities that may not be an open door in the larger church. In terms of women’s ministry, as a small church, we needed everyone to help when we put on an event. That meant that women were often asked to step up to the plate and serve in areas where she may not have chosen. A lot of stretching went on as women were called upon to do things outside of their comfort zone. It might have been in planning, decorating, supervising, participating in a skit, cooking and serving, greeting and hospitality, opportunities to speak in front of a group (even if it was only making announcements), crafts, event planning, organization… The list goes on and on. And as we all served, it seemed that ladies naturally gravitated toward those areas where God had gifted them. I saw women begin to discover their spiritual gifts and use them within the body.

Posted in: Lessons Learned

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A Tip for Name Tags

Posted by Debby on November 17, 2010

We want our ladies to wear name tags at any event to promote fellowship and getting to know one another by name–not to mention helping those of us who forget names that we should know!. There are various options when you are considering name tags.

There are peel-and-stick name tags which are the most economical option, but they are best used for one day events.
There is the pin style badge where the name tag slips into a plastic cover which can be pinned on. Although these say “garment friendly” now, we find that these are not the best option for women, because the pins may pull and even ruin certain fabrics.
There is the clip-on badge, of which there are several varieties. While better than pin style, these also can be detrimental to clothing.
There is the lanyard, which is a cord worn around the neck.

We have used all of these options. But now, for many of our events, we use lanyards. What is a lanyard? It is defined as “a cord worn around the neck” and they may be purchased at any office supply for use with name badges. Some have clear covers attached at the end, others have clips. As you can imagine, this option is the most costly per person.

How do we justify the extra cost? At the end of the event, we ask that the ladies leave their lanyards in a basket at the rear of the room, or we pass around a basket for the lanyards to be dropped in. That way, we can reuse those that are returned. We have also done this with badge covers. So while the initial outlay may be a little more expensive, in the end, they are not only the safest for our ladies’ clothing, but they result in a lower overall investment.

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Lessons Learned, Registration

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