Product Details
A women’s retreat can be the highlight of the ministry year for many participants, but it’s a big job. Use these tips for making it less stressful for everyone.
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Guest: Cyndee Ownbey, author of Rethinking Women’s Ministry: Biblical, Practical Tools for Cultivating a Flourishing Community. Cyndee serves as a mentor to thousands of women’s ministry leaders through her website and Facebook community, Women’s Ministry Toolbox.
Introduction: A women’s retreat can be the highlight of the ministry year for many participants, but it’s a big job. Use these tips for making it less stressful for everyone.
Summary:
How to get started on planning a retreat:
- Divide duties and responsibilities
- Ministry leader: date, speaker, theme
- Planning team: location, food, other details
- Plan well in advance
- Big decisions, begin a year ahead
- Small details, begin six months ahead
- Pray
- For every retreat aspect—before, during, after
- For every participant—can divide among the retreat team
- Health
- Childcare
- Safe travels
- New friendships
- Tender hearts
- Spiritual growth
- At the retreat itself
- Prayer room
- Prayer stations
- Prayer walk
- Prayer partners
Framework of a retreat:
- Overall schedule—can be flexible
- Length, typically 2 nights
- Location, often 1.5–3 hours away
- Meals
- Speakers, worship, sessions, and activities—including free time
- Special evening activity—build community and deepen relationships
- Group tickets to a show
- Christian comedian
- Prayer stations
- Contests
- Board games
- Free time
- Give time to process what they’ve learned
- Allow a physical or mental break
- Could include suggested activities
- nearby options, trails, theaters
- signups for planned activities: classes, discussions, projects
- check with the retreat center for additional options
Resources:
- com
- Women’s Ministry Toolbox
- ctainc.com (offering both affordable and free retreat resources)
