How to Plan a Retreat

Have you found yourself on the planning committee for a ministry retreat and you don’t know where to start? Maybe your church wants to have a marriage retreat or a planning retreat for the youth counselors, or a mother/daughter getaway? When the ladies in our church decided to have a retreat, I quickly volunteered to set the wheels in motion. I have been on the receiving end with attending wonderful getaways, and knew this was a way I could give back to others. Now in the planning stage for our fourth retreat, I’ve gleaned some ideas for successful gatherings.

7 Suggestions for Planning Your Own Special Time

1. Pray. Bathe the process in prayer. Ask the Lord to lead every step. The Lord is the only One who can enable a harvest to be gleaned.
2. Process information. Look for materials that are conducive to small group study for your retreat’s theme. This sets the stage for corporate worship as well as small group introspection. The first year, we used Bruce Wilkinson’s "Secrets of the Vine." It was perfect for creating community.
3. Ponder the length of your retreat. Will two days accomplish what you want to do, or do you need three? We chose two, Friday and Saturday, to keep from pulling our women out of all the roles they fill at Sunday morning church.
4. Pick your location. Do you want a camp setting or hotel splurging? Although we liked feeling pampered at the resort we were at last year, the leadership team chose to return to the retreat center of the prior two years. We missed the atmosphere of the camp chapel for our worship times!
5. Plan for fun. Women need opportunities to let go of responsibilities back home. Schedule table games, swimming, campfires or free time. Build in time to unwind and to build rapport with each other.
6. Present the information to your women. Posters, brochures and announcements build the anticipation. Add the 5 w’s and an h to make sure they have the facts needed to take time off of work and get families settled at home.
7. Prepare your volunteers. Don’t be a Lone Ranger in the details. Delegate specific activities to others and let them take ownership in the event. This also multiplies the creative ideas that happen when you brainstorm together!

Retreats are a great way to get to know other people. They help us to move beyond shallow relationships to be support systems in our walk with the Lord. We all benefit from getting away from home to study God’s Word. Truths stick out and implant themselves deeper. Retreats also provide refreshment from the routine, renewal for the rigors of daily life, and rededication to God’s purposes. What could be better?!

Retreat Resources

Step outside of your comfort zone when you plan. What topics are relevant to your group? Look online for ideas and to learn from others’ experiences. Here are some sites to get you started.

http://www.righttotheheart.com/women/index2.htm
http://www.womensministry.net/
http://www.ctainc.com/store/Retreats_Special_Occasions?Args=


“Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me.” Song of Songs 2:10

Proverbs 25:11

A word aptly spoken

is like apples of gold

in settings of silver.

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