RENEWRES OREREFRESH

RENEWRES OREREFRESH

Leader’s Retreat Planning Guide

Renew. Restore. Refresh. Wonderful ideas, but seldom experienced in today’s hurry-up world. How can we receive complete restoration, be truly renewed in our zeal for living, and find eternal refreshment? In Jesus. Only in Jesus! It’s our prayer that this retreat will help you and your guests relax in the arms of the Savior, as he brings a lasting peace—and rest—to your souls.

#RRR19LG 699250

Leader’s Retreat Planning Guide

RENEWRES OREREFRESH

Gail MarshJane L. Fryar

Leader’s Retreat Planning Guide

RENEWRES OREREFRESH

The vision of CTA is to see Christians highly effective

in their ministry so that Christ’s Kingdomis strengthened and expanded.

Copyright © 2019 CTA, Inc. 1625 Larkin Williams Rd.

Fenton, MO 63026 www.CTAinc.com

Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for sale.

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-947699-25-0PRINTED IN THAILAND

Leader’s Retreat Planning Guide

Gail MarshJane L. Fryar

Welcome ................................................................................. 4

Details for Planning and Leading ............................................. 6

Icebreakers ............................................................................ 24

Discussion Sessions ............................................................... 33

Session 1: Return ................................................................ 34

Session 2: Restore ............................................................... 36

Session 3: Renew ................................................................ 38

Session 4: Refresh ............................................................... 40

Session 5: Remember ......................................................... 42

Finding Refreshment in Jesus’ Presence ................................. 44

Devotional and Worship Times ............................................. 48

More Resources for You

Relaxing Together .................................................................. 50

Sample Retreat Schedules ..................................................... 51

Master Supply List ................................................................. 53

Budgeting for Your Retreat ..................................................... 54

Looking Back, Looking Ahead .............................................. 55

Contents

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Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23

This retreat focuses on just that—on the thorough, deep-down renewal of heart and spirit that only our Lord himself can provide. Of course, you and your leadership team will plan lots of fun retreat activities. Of course, there will be great food. There will be time for laughing together, for girl talk, and even time to practice some helpful stress-busting techniques.

But as you and your leadership team set retreat goals, you will want to focus most on helping everyone receive the peace that only Jesus gives. As you schedule, be sure to set aside significant time in God’s Word, in faith sharing, in prayer, and in growing together as sisters in Christ. Note your goals below. Then, as you develop your plan and clarify specifics, reread your goals from time to time to make sure your plans and goals dovetail.

As a result of this retreat, participants will . . .

1 Grow closer to Christ and to each other

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Renew. Restore. Refresh. Where? How? Sign me up now! In today’s fast-paced, high-stress world, most of us will try almost anything to relax! Consider:

“Float Therapy” clients spend an hour in total darkness. They are suspended in a solution of warm water saturated with Epsom salts.

“Silence Spas” are usually found in remote locations, far from cities, traffic, and yes, smartphones. No noise—or talking—is allowed.

“Salt Rooms” offer clients walls, floors, and ceilings covered with salt. Salt particles circulate through the air, as well. The salt ions are said to elevate one’s mood. (They just might clear the sinuses as a bonus!)

Renew. Restore. Refresh. Though this retreat offers no float-therapy or salt-room relaxation, it does promise real relaxation, authentic spiritual renewal. Participants won’t see a single salt crystal, but everyone who attends will have ample opportunity to rest in our Savior’s love!

While many people think about renewal in terms of externals, nearly everyone will agree that true restoration takes more than an afternoon at the spa. Pampering, massages, pedicures, facials, and even an entirely new wardrobe will take us only so far. They are fun, certainly. And each can provide a welcome pick-me-up, especially in times of stress (and distress).

But true, authentic renewal is not an outward thing. The Bible extends this invitation:

Welcome

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.Ephesians 4:23

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Details for Planning and LeadingStay calm and carry on—with the planning process, that is! As you begin, take a deep breath. Slowly let it out. Now, let’s get started . . .

All the many details may seem overwhelming right now, but relax! This guide will walk you step-by-step through the process of putting together a relaxing and spiritually uplifting experience for all retreat participants.

Step one involves recruiting a team of eager volunteers. How many volunteers? Well, that depends on the size and scale of your event. If you are thinking about a Saturday afternoon gathering to be held in your church fellowship hall, you may not need as many helping hands as you will for a retreat that includes a destination venue, elaborate decorations, a nationally recognized speaker, and hundreds of participants.

We recommend you start by reading through the entire planning process we’ve detailed in this guide. As you do that, pick and choose from among the many ideas here. Once you have established the parameters of your retreat and set some firm goals, you will be ready to think about specific tasks—those we’ve listed for you here and any additional tasks linked to your specific vision. That process, then, will help determine the ideal number of volunteers you will need to recruit and the specific tasks you will assign to them.

RETREAT LEADERSHIP TEAMThis is the most important team you’ll establish. Choose 3–7 ladies who get along well and are willing to invest significant time and effort. It will prove helpful if at least a few team members are knowledgeable about available resources—both physical resources and people resources. A Retreat Leadership Team that includes members with a variety of perspectives will also help make your event a success. Most important of all is that team members have a passion for seeing women grow closer to Jesus, the Savior!

The Retreat Leadership Team will

Wpray for the retreat and all who attend the event;

W set retreat goals and plan activities that will meet those goals;

W nominate a chair who will serve as “point person” for the event (for example, answer questions, facilitate team discussions, schedule planning meetings, keep planning on track);

W design a budget for the event;

W choose retreat date(s) and the location, make necessary reservations;

W communicate retreat details to church staff and secure any necessary permissions;

W recruit music leaders, guest speakers (if needed), small-group discussion leaders, and other up-in-front staff;

W assign various volunteers to lead the icebreaker activities, offer mealtime prayers, and lead devotions;

W form, coordinate, and oversee all other teams and pitch in to help if necessary; and

W coordinate retreat follow-up activities.

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PS You will want to thank all of the volunteers who help with the retreat, right? So visit www.CTAinc.com and search Renew. Restore. Refresh. You will find theme-based gifts that all women will enjoy!

My To-Do List

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WHEN? WHERE? HOW? HOW MUCH?

Begin by checking with church staff to verify that your proposed retreat dates do not conflict with other events already scheduled for your church family. You’ll also want to check local school and neighborhood calendars to ensure that your retreat dates will allow as many participants as possible to attend.

Once your date is determined, think about where you’d like the retreat to be located. A tranquil forested setting or quiet waterfront location can enhance the spa-like theme. So might a posh hotel setting. Talk to people you know who may have stayed in settings like these. Check out possibilities via the internet by searching “spa retreat” or “retreat locations” or “Christian retreat.” Not only will you find potential event sites, you may also pick up valuable ideas you can incorporate into your retreat plans.Leadership Team Member:

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