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Inclusive Pricing

Posted by Debby on October 29, 2013

I had the opportunity to chat with a pastor’s wife recently about retreats. At the time, we were few weeks away from our 2013 retreat, and she had also been planning their women’s retreat–so we compared notes. We are doing ours at a retreat campground, using their hotel on site. Meals are provided, and we will be eating together with other groups in a dining hall. Women are staying 2-3 per room. Price for this retreat ranges from $125-145 per person for a two-night, four-meal retreat.

Her women had planned a weekend retreat about 350 miles away. They were renting a bus for travel and hotel upon arrival. Meals were to be determined when they arrived. Their retreat cost was approximately $350 per person plus the cost of meals.

Now, I understand that different groups expect different things from a retreat. And I’m sure their retreat will be lovely and a fun weekend away in a vacation locale. But what comes to my mind is: How many women can afford a retreat like that? Are women being priced out of that retreat?

As you plan your retreat, it may be tempting to do something elaborate. But consider this–is your pricing excluding women? Could you change something so that it would include more of your women?

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning, Starting Points in Retreat Planning

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The Difficult Weeks before a Retreat

Posted by Debby on October 22, 2013

Our women’s retreat is less than one week away.

One thing we have learned over the years that our team has been planning women’s retreats is to expect those weeks before a retreat to be difficult, and fraught with attack. The enemy loves to throw obstacles and roadblocks into retreat planning, and often hits the leaders personally as well. We’ve seen it happen year after year, so we weren’t surprised to see it happen this year. His assault this year hit the leaders personally. Our nine leaders have experienced–among other things–new job stress, chronic pain, illness, seriously ill children, death of a parent, children moving overseas, and I could go on! The timing of it all was just a bit too coincidental. This was on top of the normal retreat planning obstacles we faced.

If you are in the midst of similar attack, take heart. Press on in spite of the difficulties, because a blessing awaits! Don’t let the opposition discourage you, because God will overcome.

We are expecting an extraordinary retreat this year!

Posted in: News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning

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Leadership Lessons from Elijah

Posted by Debby on October 8, 2013

For a guy whose story was told in a few short chapters at the end of I Kings and the beginning of II Kings, Elijah made quite an impact. God used him in vastly different settings. He confronted kings and ministered to widows. He raised the dead. Most memorable was a victory when he confronted false prophets with power and authority in view of a multitude.

His story includes great spiritual victories and yet we are allowed to see his moments of vulnerability and humanity. James wrote in his New Testament epistle, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours…” He faced times of fear and discouragement, and even questioned his calling. But we only see a tender and compassionate God, dealing patiently with Elijah’s weakness.

Elijah had a great victory on Mount Carmel as God displayed His power with fire from heaven. Elijah prayed, and a drought ended. Yet Elijah ran for his life from the threats of Jezebel, ending up emotionally drained, depressed and despairing of his life under a broom tree (I Kings 19). It is hard to believe it is the same man. Did God scold and rebuke Elijah in anger? Did He order Elijah to return and face Jezebel? Did He give up on him in disappointment? No, we see an example of God’s tender care of His servants who grow weary in the fierce battle, who somehow lose perspective and forget God’s faithfulness. God is not done with Elijah. “He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). God refreshed His weary prophet, ministered to Elijah by allowing him rest, sent an angel with food–twice, and prepared him for what lay ahead.

As leaders, we can get burned out. The battle seems too hard, the burdens crushing, the enemies are great, the work is draining and no one seems to be helping. With our eyes on ourselves, ministry seems overwhelming, burdensome and unfair. But even in those times, we can know that our God truly knows us and loves us, weaknesses and all. He will patiently and tenderly see you through. Hang in there!

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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Diligence in a Leader

Posted by Debby on October 1, 2013

I just ran across this verse in Proverbs 12:24: “The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy [man] will be put to forced labor.” I might not have noticed it except that in the New International Version it says it like this: “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” According to Matthew Henry, the lazy man is one who fails to keep his promises. This verse seems to say that God recognizes the faithful worker and rewards him with responsibility and authority. This principle is reiterated in Jesus’ parable of the talents: the one who was faithful with little was given more authority.

That brings to mind Proverbs 6:6-8 which points us to the example of the ant. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” The wise woman takes care of her responsibilities, without someone checking up on her every minute. That is a wonderful quality for anyone to have, as long as what you are doing is in accordance with those you serve.

If you are a leader, a leader-in-training, or simply a woman involved in women’s ministry, you should take note of these scriptures. Are you one who works hard and responsibly, doing what you say you will do diligently? Are you faithful, whether someone is overseeing you or not? If so, you have the makings of a leader!

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, News & Information

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Whom Shall I Fear?

Posted by Debby on September 24, 2013

Sometimes, you may feel that being in ministry has put a target on your back. The enemy seems to save his nastiest attacks for those in ministry (as well as their families and marriages). Being visible as a leader makes you especially vulnerable to false accusations, hurtful comments, gossip and outright antagonism from those outside as well as inside the church. Our pastor’s wife, Denise, shared that one of the issues we may face as women in ministry is fear.

Do you fear the enemy? Do you fear some of those people that you are called to serve? Our pastor rightfully says that “sheep can bite,” and we all know that those “bites” from those we serve are particularly hurtful. In Psalm 27:1, David says “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?” God is our Protector and our Strength. God says in Isaiah 54:17 “‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.”

Posted in: Inspirations, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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