A New Year – 2013

The time has again rolled around where we take stock of our lives and possibly set goals for the year ahead.  This may also be a good time for your women’s ministry to take stock of the prior year and prayerfully consider the new year ahead.  Since it appears that we are nearing the “last days,” our goal should be to make this year count in our women’s ministries–to reach as many women as we can, to serve our women, to minister to those who are hurting and to provide opportunities for our women to grow in the Lord through Bible study, fellowship and serving.

Begin praying for your women’s ministry and any events that you are considering for this new year. Have your leaders read an inspiring book on ministry (www.retreatinabag.net/recommended-reading/#ministry).  Take your 2013 calendar and have a prayerful brain-storming session.  Discuss your options for ministering to women this year.  Be open to new ideas and new direction.

May 2013 be a year of endless possibilities to serve your women!

Stick to your Guns!

Your retreat information is printed and the retreat price is settled and written in black and white.  Registration for the retreat is open.  Done deal, correct?

Unfortunately, no.  Now a new discussion begins….   This is a test of your flexibility…and your patience.

“What if I just come for the day, and don’t stay the night(s) in the hotel?” ” What if I leave early?”  “What if I bring my own special meals?” “What if I will have to leave one evening and miss a meal?”   CAN YOU LOWER MY PRICE?

It is good to decide ahead of time if you can allow any flexibility in pricing your event.  If there is flexibility, we suggest putting that choice on your registration form.  Many times, your venue is not flexible, and that easily settles the matter.  Our choice is to not allow much, if any, flexibility.  If someone can only attend one night of a two-night retreat, her cost remains the same–because the basic retreat cost was figured on the full amount being paid.  While some may have legitimate excuses, lowering the price for one leads to more people with more reasons that their costs should be lowered.  Our suggestion to you:  STICK TO YOUR GUNS!  THE PRICE IS FIRM!

That Thread of Continuity

Once you have decided upon a theme for your event, you can then choose or commission artwork and make decisions about decorations and gift (remembrance gift) ideas.  Having the theme evident in every part of the retreat brings a cohesiveness and continuity that your women will appreciate, although they may not be able to single out anything particular that bound it all toegether.  Like the spokes of a tire bound by the rim and attached to the hub, the session titles, the retreat booklet, the skit, the quiet time study, the decorations and even the worship songs can reflect the theme and unify your retreat.  It may even be carried out in what your leaders wear.  I remember one event built around a sailing theme.  All the speakers wore a sailor’s cap and striped top.

Every aspect of the retreat or event should communicate the message that you want to get across.  When I think of our retreats over the past twenty-five years, I don’t necessarily remember the individual guest speakers, although so many of them were wonderful. But I see a bookmark or a remembrance–and I remember the theme and message of the event.

This is where the Retreat-in-a-Bag Series can be helpful.  Each book is centered on a theme, with artwork, a quiet time study, skit, decoration ideas, remembrance gift ideas and teaching titles that convey the theme.