Spiritual Retreats
We often find Jesus heading off to solitary places and praying. Retreats were a regular rhythm of Jesus' life.
The various spiritual practices explored in the series of retreats are designed to lead us on an increasingly intimate relationship with God, where God's voice becomes clearer and his love more tangible. Retreats are also a wonderful way for you to draw near to God, so that He can draw near to you. We have eight retreats designed to lead you on a journey, from the foundational disciplines of solitude and silence through to a retreat designed to help you discern the will of God.
“Retreat in the context of the spiritual life is an extended time apart for the purpose of being with God and giving God our full and undivided attention” Ruth Haley Barton
A Retreat is "a generous commitment to our friendship with God." Emilie Griffin
Solitude and Silence
"The best part of the peace and quiet is God. Just to sit here and be with God" John Eldridge
This is an introductory retreat which explores the foundation for spiritual formation. as well as the two fundamental disciplines of the spiritual life, solitude and silence. These two disciples establish a deep foundation for the growth of our life with God. In fact Dallas Willard writes: ‘While all the disciplines are important, the primary disciplines of Solitude and Silence are truly the critical foundations from which all the other disciplines follow.’
Simplicity
‘If all within us is honed down to the single treasure of Christ and his Kingdom, then we are living in the light of simplicity’ Richard Foster
Our life can be much simpler, once we discover the secret of living according to our purpose, priorities and values. We begin this retreat by exploring inward simplicity, then once our inner world is simplified, we move to outward simplicity. This discipline helps us to not only unclutter our soul, but unclutter our life!.
Sabbath
‘’Sabbath is God’s gift of repetitive and regular rest. It is given for our delight and communion with God, time for being in the midst of a life of doing." Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
This retreat explores God's gift of the Sabbath. Jesus lived with this rhythm, and 2000 years later we are in desperate need of rediscovering the joy and peace of a regular Sabbath. We will ponder Jesus words "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" Mk 2:27. You will leave inspired to live with a healthy rhythm of work and rest
Fasting
"One of the main purposes of fasting is to wean us from our dependence upon God’s gifts and enable us to become dependent upon God alone’ Robert Mulholland,
By exploring the discipline of fasting, this retreat has the potential to teach you a great deal about yourself. Fasting is not about lack - it's about feasting on God! This retreat will inspire you to fast from those things which control you and will develop in you an even greater hunger for God.
Prayer Practices
‘Simply put, prayer is all the ways in which we communicate and commune with God. The fundamental purpose of prayer is to deepen our intimacy with God.’ Ruth Haley-Barton
Learning to pray conversationally is crucial to developing a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. This retreat focuses on growing our understanding and practice of prayer within the context of relationship.
Rhythms of Life (i.e. Rule of Life)
‘A rule involves a rhythm for living in which we can grow more intimately connected to God.’ John Ortberg
Jesus followers are those who intentionally arrange their lives around the goal of spiritual transformation. On this retreat we will consider the value of our own rhythm and have the unrushed time to develop our own rhythm for life, leading to freedom and fullness of life with God.
Spiritual Leadership
"If we don't have a hidden life with God, our public life for God cannot bear fruit." Henri Nouwen
The nature of leadership is its tendency toward leading us to live very public lives. The more time we spend on the stage, the more we need to engage in spiritual practices designed to grow us in humility, authenticity and contentment. This retreat explores three key spiritual practices for those in Christian leadership. Secrecy, Confession and Celebration.
Discerning the Will of God
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’”
Jeremiah 6:16
When standing at the crossroads of a major decision, its comforting to know that God desires to give us guidance and discernment. This retreat unlocks timeless principles originating in Scripture and re-interpreted by men and women of God through the ages. The retreat will help you tune in to the voice of God and his leading for your life.