By Kurt Notehelfer, Chair, PacNWC Ministerial Association
Dictionary.com says that to thrive is “to prosper; to grow; to develop vigorously; to flourish.”
Who doesn’t want to thrive – in life, in relationships, in ministry? Jesus said that he came that we might experience an abundant life (John 10:10). And yet, in the midst of life’s work and life’s challenges, the ability to thrive may seem like an idealized dream. Our circumstances, our relationships, even the churches we serve may seem to conspire against our ability to just survive, much less to thrive. As a result, rather than feeling like we have arrived at the abundant life, we often feel emptied, drained, exhausted, depressed, scared, lonely, isolated, stuck, confused. It becomes more and more difficult to understand how our experience lines up with the promise of our faith. Compound this with the fact that we have invested our time, money, energy, marriage, and family relationships for the sake of the church and God’s kingdom, and it can leave us feeling even more disoriented, disintegrated, and disillusioned – to one degree or another.
If you or your family are feeling any of these things in this season of life and ministry, the Clergy, Staff, & Family Retreat is designed especially for you.
It just might be possible that God never intended you to experience the abundant life apart from these very real and very normal challenges in life. Rather, trusting in him, we discover that it is possible to Thrive Through… these very same challenges. That is, as a result of walking through life’s difficulties, trusting in God’s guidance and provision, we discover that God is working in and through our own weakness to produce the fruit of his Spirit within us. The abundant life is not so much about how good we are but about how good God is. Abundance is not success but fruitfulness.
We are reminded, in James 1:2-4, to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
And, in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to see God’s abundance in the midst of life’s troubles: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
The Pacific Northwest Conference Clergy, Staff, & Family Retreat is arguably the best of it’s kind in the Covenant. What began as a retreat to support, equip, and empower pastors in our conference has evolved into an event that also welcomes church staff, chaplains, missionaries, spouses and their kids. As a place for rest and renewal, for support and encouragement, it is a place to connect and relate to colleagues and friends who find themselves on a similar path in vocational ministry. We come from a variety of contexts and experiences but gather as colleagues and friends to be family together. Whatever place in life and ministry you find yourself, make the Fall retreat on October 1-3 a priority in your calendar!
This year, we will be hearing from some of our own ministry colleagues about their experiences of Thriving Through… personal difficulties and challenges – through illness, family challenges, and the need for rest and renewal. We’ll be encouraged to seek God in the midst of our own circumstances and to be intentional about pursuing healthy patterns of life and relationship in the midst of our ongoing vocational demands. As we engage with one another, and with God’s Spirit, we trust that the God of all comfort will meet us where we most need his compassion and encouragement. As with Paul, in Romans 8:28, we will be invited to remember and to “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
[Click Here] for full details on the 2018 Clergy, Staff and Families Retreat
Thriving Through…
CLERGY, STAFF, and FAMILY RETREAT
Cascades Camp
October 1-3, 2018
Thriving Through…
Monday Evening: Thriving Through… Laughter
Improv Comedy Troupe, from Taproot Theatre
Tuesday Morning: Thriving Through… Challenges
Flourishing Quadrants + Breakout Groups
Tuesday Evening: Thriving Through… Crisis
Service of Prayer & Healing
Wednesday: Thriving Through… Sabbath Rest
Service of Communion