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Discipling Opportunities in Retreat Planning

Posted by Debby on April 1, 2011

The act of discipling in ministry could be defined as raising up someone to take your place. Every place of ministry should be one where others are being trained to lead and run it in a godly way. As we give women the opportunity to help in various areas of retreat preparation, we should have a mindset that is open to teaching those women everything there is to know about accomplishing that task. When we see someone stepping up to take some responsibility in an area, we should be keeping her close, sharing problems with her, leading by example as issues and conflicts arise. We should also allow them to give their input, and profit from their fresh perspective.

Retreat planning, with it many and varied tasks, gives ample opportunity for discipling women in ministry. We never know when God may call us to another area of ministry; by being faithful to disciple those God brings to you, the strength of your ministry remains intact.

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

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Registration at the Retreat

Posted by Debby on October 18, 2010

The registration table at the retreat is where the women come, just prior to the first session, to check in and to pick up their name tags and booklets. In past years, room keys were also picked up at this time. Because we are in a hotel, we have found that allowing each woman to check into the hotel individually is much less hassle.

To prepare for registration at the retreat, nametags are matched with retreat booklets, and arranged alphabetically on the tables. This can be set up early; however, we don’t allow women to pick up their nametags/booklets until registration has officially begun. So after setting up the registration table, we cover it until the scheduled time for registration–normally an hour to an hour and a half from when the first session begins.

As women pick up their packets, their name is checked off a master alphabetical list of those attending. Discrepancies are then noted immediately. The most common problem we encounter is when a group substitutes a new woman (who has not officially registered) for one who cancelled at the last minute. To be prepared for this, we have blank name tags and extra booklets on hand. Also, the hotel must be kept informed of any changes to rooming that are made at the last minute. If your group is larger, you can have different tables sections of the alphabet (A-L register here, M-Z register here).

Posted in: Ministry at the Retreat, Registration, Retreat and Event Planning, Rooming Issues

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The Greeting Ministry–Making Ladies Feel Welcome

Posted by Debby on September 10, 2010

In our efforts to do our best to welcome and make people feel comfortable at the retreat, we have “greeters” at every retreat and women’s event. To “greet” means to meet or receive demonstratively, as with expressions of kind wishes and welcome.” We want every woman who attends our retreats and women’s events to know that we are so glad that they have come. So “greeting” has become a ministry of its own.

Kelly has been our leader in charge of the greeters for the past few years. For our retreat, Kelly usually asks four girls (who are able to be at the retreat early) to serve as greeters. Two will be at the door to the meeting room when registration begins, and two will be available inside the meeting room. The registration table normally opens about an hour before the first session begins. At that time, ladies can pick up name tags and booklets, and the doors to the main meeting room are opened. There are always ladies there, ready to register early, and the rest trickle in all evening. The greeters have the job of welcoming the ladies as they register. The girls at the door just welcome the women as they enter the meeting room. The girls inside the meeting room wander around the room and engage women in conversation. It is often the case that a woman will arrive and check in alone–either because she is new or because her friends have not arrived yet. Since we include sister churches, it is possible that some arrive, knowing no one. Those ladies are the ones particularly targeted by our inside greeters.

We find that there are women who are especially suited for the ministry of “greeter.” They have a heart for women, and a desire to draw them into fellowship, and a gift for talking to new people. These women may also enjoy being a table leader.

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

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A Hospitality Table

Posted by Debby on September 3, 2010

I’m not sure when we started this, but the presence of a “hospitality table” has become an amenity our ladies have come to expect at our retreats. This table is stocked with a little bit of everything–anything one could need at a retreat–or forget to bring from home. The table is staffed during all main sessions and is located in the back of the room, convenient–yet unobtrusive.

At the table, a variety of items may be found. This is a list of suggested items for the hospitality table:

Advil/Tylenol
Feminine products
Protein bars/Snack bars
Chocolate/Gummy bears
Mints
Needle/thread
Cough drops
Small water bottles
Cheap toothbrushes/toothpaste
Small bottles of shampoo
Shawls or sweaters (available to be borrowed)

A lot of ladies make use of the hospitality table and appreciate the availability of these items. Besides the candy, the Advil and Tylenol are most requested. We have found that the hospitality table becomes a gathering spot during breaks and free moments as ladies grab a piece of candy and chat. It’s true that most of these items could be purchased if the hotel has a tiny convenience store or if there is a store nearby. But it is just another service we provide for our ladies in our efforts to take care of their every need at the retreat.

Posted in: Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Ministry at the Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning

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