Every year we do two staff retreats.
In December we do a planning retreat. It's pretty intense. We try to put together a strategic plan for everything from preaching to outreach to marketing to discipleship.
During the summer, we do our Play and Pray retreat. Our entire team gets away for two days and we...well...play and pray. Great time of just kicking back and hanging out. I absolutely love our staff. Amazing chemistry. We work hard. But we have fun. Our laugh quota during team meetings is off the chart.
Off to Play and Pray!
In December we do a planning retreat. It's pretty intense. We try to put together a strategic plan for everything from preaching to outreach to marketing to discipleship.
During the summer, we do our Play and Pray retreat. Our entire team gets away for two days and we...well...play and pray. Great time of just kicking back and hanging out. I absolutely love our staff. Amazing chemistry. We work hard. But we have fun. Our laugh quota during team meetings is off the chart.
Off to Play and Pray!
8 Comments:
So how long are the retreats? Just curious... :)
hey mark, hows it going? well i heard your messege for One Prayer at Plum Creek Community Church. Its cool to hear your friends with Doug. I was apart of a missions group called ACE Teams that helped start up the church in January of 07. I just moved here to castle rock back in march and im loving it. Look forward to you new book
by the way my name is Matt. peace
Mark, this has no relevance whatsoever to this post - but, I had to share something with you.
I am - once again - reading "In a Pit with a Lion". The difference this time is that I am now reading it after having "pushed the first domino".
You see, I read it twice as I was struggling to leave the staff of a church I had been with for 13 years - in fact, my husband and I met there 21 years ago. I knew God was saying it was time to leave...but, I was scared. Unsure. My relationship with God was at stake here - but, it still scared me!
My dream had always been to work in the medical field - for a doctor's office, etc. - but, with no experience I had been turned down again and again. It really began to take a toll on my self esteem - and I would be lying if I did not say that I looked online and in the paper at least every other day - hoping for the "perfect opportunity" for me...only to hit wall after wall.
Then, about a week after I had decided that I was going to leave - with or without a job in 3 months - the most amazing thing happened. I hopped on Craigs List to once again see what was out there - and came across a listing for an office manager for a faith-based psychiatrists office - specializing in children and adolescents. The pay was more than I was making now - the drive was only 10 mintues from my house! I kept reading it over and over again thinking I missed something - like the request for medical office experience - and even had my husband read it to make sure I was not missing something! I was hesitant to send my resume - for fear of another brick wall - but, with butterflies in my stomach - I did it. For some reason, it was harded to send this one - mainly because for some reason this one sounded "too perfect". Well, 45 mintues later (yes, that same day) - I heard from them and to make a long story short - within 48 hours was hired! It was amazing! God was amazing! This new job has been amazing! Not only did God provide an opportunity for me to work in a field I had a passion for - he allowed me to work for a Christian psychiatrist who works with adolescents and teens - another area of ministry that God has called me, too! I have never been happier!
And last night, when I was reading your book again....I absolultely broke down in tears as I read this part (and cannot believe I missed it on the last two readings)....
"I am convinced that the only thing between you and your destiny is one small act of courage. One courageous choice may be the only thing between you and your dream becoming reality. And it may be as simple as placing a phone call, downloading an application, or sending an email. But you've got to push over the first domino."
Mark, thank you! I am grateful that you continue to push foward in what God has called you to do - as your ministry is changing the lives of people here in Texas...like crazy!
Mark, we do something very similar at Cross Point. In the fall we do a one day planning trip where we work out the details of all the major events and ministries for the coming year. Then in the Spring we do a 2 day overnight trip that is mostly fun and usually some team bonding type of things. This time as a staff is priceless! The bonds that are formed and the relationships that are nurtured help us stay committed to one another and the ministry throughout the rest of the year.
Taylor,
It's pretty quick. One night, two days. But it's seems like week!
Mark
Kelly,
Thanks for sharing that! What an answer to prayer!
Mark
This is a cool idea for bonding as a leadership team. Thanks for sharing it.
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