The Retreat Leader's Guide: A Complete Guide to Organizing Meaningful Christian Retreats - Paperback

by Nancy Ferguson (Author), Kevin Witt (Author)

In an age when vacationers on pleasure cruises can expect to be on tightly planned and pressure-packed schedules, a restful renewal seems alien.

"I will give you rest," Jesus said (Matt. 11:28). The Bible places a strong emphasis on sabbath time. Experiencing solitude, play, and life at a slower rhythm are precious pathways that allow God to nurture our souls.

Retreats have the special focus that offer personal growth as participants are guided to look at life and the world with God in mind. Forty percent of church members and pastors polled report having a significant spiritual experience through a church retreat or camp experience. Yet, pastors are hard-pressed to tackle the details required to plan these "times away."

Ferguson and Witt have written a practical guide covering the nuts and bolts of planning the budget, picking a site and organizing Bible studies-all to make the experience meaningful for all ages. Going beyond the usual collections of suggested activities and formats, The Retreat Leader's Manual provides a solid base for faith formation in retreats. Ferguson and Witt offer a thoughtful exploration of the need and biblical precedent for spiritual retreats.

"Spiritual retreats tap into a universal human desire," write the authors. "They serve as an oasis for the soul.... The unabashed aim of faith-based retreats is helping persons seek God with their whole heart."

As one reviewer says, "If your congregation doesn't already go on retreat, this book will help you realize what you're missing. And if you already know the value of regular retreats, The Retreat Leader's Manual will help make your next retreat better than ever!"

Back Jacket

Four out of ten church members and a majority of pastors report having a significant spiritual experience through a church camp or retreat time. Unfortunately, most pastors have little training in the art of planning or leading retreats. Very few resources develop the practical aspects of retreat planning, and while some resources offer theme ideas they tend to lack any serious biblical or theological underpinning. Now, The Retreat Leader's Manual offers a practical guidebook for those leading retreats, including the nuts and bolts of how to plan a budget, the right questions to ask about a potential retreat site, and ideas for making Bible study and worship memorable for persons of all ages. Written by veterans in the development of camp programs and the operations of camps and conferences, this resource offers the perfect blend of the theoretical and the practical -- the how and the why of leading meaningful retreat experiences.