3 Things I Hate About Staff Retreat

Two conferences/retreats in less than three weeks, and I am nearing overload.  The first of this month was the Summit 9 conference in Nashville.  This week, it's the Colonial Hills Church annual spring staff retreat (to be followed by our annual fall staff retreat in a few months). 

Pastor Shannon O'Dell from Brand New Church suggested to us yesterday as he talked leadership with our staff that we should change our title from staff retreat to staff advance since we are not moving backward.  I like that.  Just words, but words matter.  Nevertheless, there are some aspects (besides the obvious being away from my family) about staff retreats or advances that I just don't like.

Not the view -- it's remarkable.  Great backdrop for private times with God.

Not a lack of activity before and between meetings.  We have plenty of opportunities to have fun together during our 3 days here and plenty of opportunities to connect with one another.

Not a lack of inspiration.  Many of our volunteers joined us last night to be encouraged and challenged.

No, there is much to like about staff advances, but there are several things that always come to light.  Necessary things.  The reasons we have these getaways in the first place.  But uncomfortable nonetheless.

1.  You realize how far you have drifted.

Even with the best of intentions and plans, ministry drift happens.  As the small groups pastor at CHC, my primary filter during our conversations, is discipleship, but the principles transfer to the ministry of 4theVoiceless, as well.  What happens between the fiery-hot vision for a ministry and the here and now?  Life.  Busyness.  Unexpected responsibilities.  Choices.  The actual work of carrying out of a vision.

There are certainly stories that reinforce that the vision that God planted in the hearts of leaders is becoming reality.  Our focus in small groups this term has been learning and -- more importantly -- practicing how to lead someone to Christ and how to help that person take the first few steps in his or her new relationship with the Lord.  There are multiple stories of how the Lord has used the most unlikely people to accomplish great advances for His kingdom over the last few months.  This has been one of the most fruitful small group terms I have ever experienced in many ways.

But there are still far too many people who are missing out on what small groups offer.  We term it simply "Discipleship Together."  There are still far too few leaders and groups. 

And still far too many children in need of families.  In need of the knowledge of the Father who loves them.  Too few of the Father's arms (to be clear, that's our arms as the body of Christ) reaching out to them.

2.  You are reminded of how much work there is yet to do.

The fall of man and the effects of sin in this world leave an insurmountable task in front of all who follow Jesus.   As a ministry staff, we get away to a cabin for a few days and talk about what God is doing in our church and the needs that are in front of us.  The need is always overwhelming and intimidating.  The good news is that the greatest work has already been accomplished on a cross and at an empty tomb. 

When we come together on Sunday morning at our Southaven and Hernando campuses, we are encouraged as we worship together with other believers.  When our church all comes together at one time -- what we call our One Church events -- like we did for a giant party this past Sunday, we are encouraged by the growing numbers of Christ-followers in our church.  However, when those numbers are dispersed into neighborhoods and workplaces, they don't seem so big anymore.  There are many who still don't know the Good News of what Christ has done on their behalf.  The work to reach them seems daunting.

Similarly, the overwhelming nature of the orphan crisis -- the sheer numbers of orphans and the complex issues surrounding why many of them are orphans in the first place and will likely remain orphans -- can easily lead one to do nothing.

3.  You realize how small you are.

I don't have the capacity to disciple large numbers of people in their walks with Christ.  I don't have the capacity to make a significant dent in the world's orphan crisis.  I just don't.  I don't have enough of the education or the experience or the creativity or the anything else that great leaders have.

But . . . 

. . . that's the beauty of retreats or advances or whatever you want to call them.  The God I serve is the God of the universe who holds the whole world in His hands, who never sleeps, who knows has known the tiniest detail of every one of 7 billion lives.  He is able to do anything He wants.  He is able to bring me to what He wants me to do and provide everything I need when I need it in order to accomplish His purposes.  By reminding me how small and incapable I am, I realize how big and capable He is.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.  Amen.   (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

"He must increase, but I must decrease.”  (John 3:30)

Thanks for reading.  I pray that God shows you how to apply this to your own life.

4theVoiceless,
Al