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Author Archive

Hearts to Serve

Posted by Debby on May 16, 2012

One of our readers shared that her church created a special place for those women who are not currently leaders, yet have a sincere desire to be involved and serve the women in the church. Designated as the “Hearts to Serve” ministry team, these women are called upon at retreats, conferences or special events to serve as the hands and feet of the women’s ministry.

This team wears a special t-shirt or name tag, identifying them as women who are available to serve. They share the burden of ministry by being available to help in innumerable ways, with duties ranging from setting up the room, changing the seating or room configurations, helping women with their luggage, putting programs on chairs, and even keeping water pitchers refilled.

The “Hearts to Serve” ministry is a wonderful starting place for women to get involved within the Women’s Ministry. It also becomes a place where women can be mentored and discipled with the intention of preparing them for leadership, and a testing ground for those women who desire to become more involved.

Posted in: Retreat and Event Planning

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Idea for Table Decorations

Posted by Debby on May 9, 2012

I actually got this idea from a wedding I recently attended. You can’t see it very well in the photo, but each of those “vases” is actually just a tin can. Each tin can had been thoroughly cleaned, and a ribbon was wrapped around each one and tied in a bow. Each contained a spray of fresh flowers or greenery, and each was different. The flowers could just as easily have been fake. Isn’t that a cute and affordable idea?

Posted in: Decorations, Money-Saving Tips, Retreat and Event Planning

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“Retreat Rookies”

Posted by Debby on May 2, 2012

One question we always ask at the beginning of our retreats is: “Is there anyone here tonight who is attending her FIRST retreat?” It is amazing how many women raise their hand from year to year. It is easy to forget how many women are novices when it comes to retreats.

Having these “retreat rookies” raise their hands also reminds us that those “retreat rookies” often attend their first retreat with very real fears and misgivings. Their own insecurities fueled by the enemy’s lies can cause a lot of anxiety. We need to make an extra effort to reach out with some TLC (tender-loving care)! This begins with a warm greeting as they arrive. Making an extra efforts to talk with them about what will happen at the retreat may go a long way to relieving their anxieties.

Posted in: Ministry at the Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning

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Book Reviews at Retreats

Posted by Debby on April 25, 2012

We have discussed in earlier posts why to have a book table at your retreat. If you do sell books at your retreat, it is helpful if some time for book reviews can be squeezed into the retreat schedule. Also, this is a nice way for women to be involved in a small way at the retreat.

“Book Review” is really a misnomer. Because time is nearly always limited, this is a time to recommend rather than review books. We do not have time to do a thorough review of these books.

A book recommendation consists of:

Name of the book and author
Show the book
Very brief synopsis
Why you liked the book/what you took away from it.

We allow no more than two minutes per book for the book recommendation. If more than one book is being reviewed, you could spend more time on one book and less time on the other.

Posted in: Book Table, Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Retreat and Event Planning

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Imitate Me!

Posted by Debby on April 18, 2012

People use many methods to broadcast their message to the world. Some wear a button or adhere a bumper sticker to their car. Others wear a message emblazend across their t-shirt. Now we even see messages tatooed on bodies. What message would you like to broadcast?

I am amazed at the boldness of Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 11:1 which says “Imitate me, just as I also [imitate] Christ.” Would I wear a T-shirt with that statement? Could I say that? Imagine a button proclaiming “Do what I do, because I am following Jesus!” Could I, even on my best day, wear that button? Whew! I think it would be hard to wear that button, since I know my attitudes, weaknesses and failures. Or maybe wearing that button would motivate me, being a reminder that there are always those who are watching my example.

If people imitated you, would the world see Jesus?

Posted in: Inspirations

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