Types of Retreats

Renewal retreats are schools for the soul, intentional times set aside to rest in the Lord and to let the Holy Spirit nurture the inner person. We have two basic types of retreats:

Self-Directed Retreats:
Many pastors and spouses have nurtured the utilization of solitude and silence and simply need a comfortable and affordable site to be with God. The Shepherd's Rest provides an environment where such pastors and their mates can come away and meet with God without interference from others. Pastors and spouses are welcome to seclude themselves for the entire stay except for the evening mealtimes when we come together for a time of group reflection. Materials to enrich these times of solitude are available.
Guided Retreats:
Other pastors have recognized the longing and need to come away like Jesus did, but have not had the opportunity to nurture the disciplines of solitude and silence. For such pastors and their spouses the hosts of the Shepherd's Rest are available to serve as spiritual directors to help you nurture time with the Lord. The role of the spiritual director is to pray, to listen, and to provide some potential tracks for reflection and meditation while always remembering that the Holy Spirit of God is the ultimate and final director.

Guided retreats commence on the first day with a meeting to work out a personal and flexible "school for the soul" plan, a plan that is constructed according to the needs of each individual. Note, the role of the spiritual director is not to tell the pastor or their spouse what to do, but to serve as a resource person who is praying with and for them and helping them to hear what God is addressing to their hearts. Some of the plans may include:

  • Working through the spiritual exercises of Ignatius, which are a guided series of prayerful reflections on the life of Christ. (Requires a 5-day stay)
  • Utilizing lectio divina ­ a method of spiritual reading
  • Praying prayers of Recollection or Examination
  • Utilizing one or more of the other spiritual exercises that are available at the Shepherd's Rest. We have a series of handouts that serve as stimulates for growing deeper with God.

Renewal Retreat Convictions

The body, mind and spirit require times of disengagement from the routine activities of ministry to be refreshed and renewed.

The Holy Spirit of God brings about refreshment and renewal, but the Spirit needs to be afforded uninterrupted time to do this special work.

The disciplines of disengagement, namely solitude and silence, are biblically based exercises that have endured the test of time and continue to prove themselves as vital spiritual renewal tools in the Holy Spirit's hands.

The Shepherd's Rest simply provides a place and an environment for the Spirit to do His renewing and refreshing work.

Sleep is spiritual, and sometimes an extended time to physically rest is the most important work accomplished at the Shepherd's Rest.

Why Have a Pastor's Renewal Retreat Center?

Because during His earthly ministry Jesus modeled "coming away" for intentional times with His Father, and we are called to imitate the ways of the Lord.

Because Jesus took His disciples away for times to rest and refresh thus establishing a positive precedent for renewal retreats.

Because "rest" is needed and necessary. After Elijah had a season of intense ministry the Lord let him sleep for three days!

Because pastoral ministry is wearing, and God's under-shepherds need time alone with "the" Shepherd to renew and refresh spiritually, mentally, and physically. There is nothing wrong with getting tired, but it is a great tragedy when pastors go too long and too hard and burn out because they did not pause to reflect and renew.

Because the vitality of the husband/wife relationship is often drained with the demands of ministry and couples need prolonged times for relaxed and uninterrupted talks and intimacy.

Thus pastors and spouses are invited to come away to the Shepherd's Rest and rest awhile.