Retreat!
This rock garden came out of our opening meditation on Exodus 18:17-18 and Hebrews 10:24-25. It symbolizes the participants' experience with our DCE community as well as our dreams for the group in the months to come.The retreat was based on Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community by Suzanne G. Farnham, Joseph P. Gill, R. Taylor McLean, & Susan M. Ward. "The authors address the challenge of remaining faithful and attentive to God's call and tell how a faith community can be a source of spiritual, psychological, physical, & financial support." (from the jacket blurb)
Our goal was to discuss four short chapters from this book. I think we scratched the surface of two. We may not have reached the goal of finishing the book discussion, but we did use the discussion as a "springboard for issues of accountability and fellowship." (from one of the feedback forms) We had the time to let the discussion flow from theory to practice.
Our mutual lament was for a longer retreat schedule. We discussed the problems of busy schedules and the temptation to trim our time together to create bare bones gatherings. From this retreat, however, a new understanding of the importance of time spent together emerged.
Whether you were at this retreat or not - consider these questions...
- How do you see yourself as receiving support from the Ne. Dist. DCE community?
- How do you see yourself as giving support?
- What kinds of support do you look for?
- What are the dangers of not having support?
- Do you see a distinction between supporting a person and supporting that person's ministry?
- Do you think it is difficult to keep a support group centered in Christ?
Maybe we could continue the discussion here?
Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to contribute to the success of this retreat! (Especially Tara who took the lead!) As always, this community encourages my faith. And this time of retreat refreshes me.
Labels: DCE Spring Retreat
posted by Churchlady at 1:06 PM
7 Comments:
Response to Question 1: How do you see yourself as receiving support from the NE Dist. DCE Community?
This group has meant so much to me over the years. Nearly all the faces have changed, but the DCE community has been a constant in my professional life. I think what throws me off in these questions is the word "support." It's hard to list precisely the ways this group has supported me. I just know that every time I get back from a meeting I'm more enthusiastic about my work, I'm more hopeful about the LCMS, AND I find myself appreciating my co-workers more.
I guess one way I receive support is through ENCOURAGEMENT. I know that I have received support during times when things were not going well in my ministry - and I also know that I would not have shared those difficult times if I didn't TRUST those in the community. And, certainly for me anyway, I receive support when we LAUGH TOGETHER.
6:26 AM
Response to Question 1: How do you see yourself as receiving support from the NE DCE Community? I have found great value in meeting with other DCE's over the almost six years that I have been in the district. Through meeting with in similar rolls I have often been equipped and encouraged in the ministry God has called me to in Hastings. Sure there are times where I have asked weather that time and drive was worth it. But that often falls under the category of being like a church service, that maybe some how that body of Christ has benefited by those gathered. We do need more structure at times but, the dedication to gather is worth the investment.
10:52 AM
I want to answer #3 What kinds of support do you look for? I love my soon to be husband. He tries so hard to support me and understand everything that goes with marrying a churchworker. But there is something really wonderful about coming to the meetings in the District. I value the differing opinions and the ideas that we generate as a group. Even though we all aren't concentrating in the same areas of ministry- there is much to be learned from each of you. That is the support I am looking for- people who understand and can help me think of many different ways to handle a given situation.
Vicki- Thanks for the questions to continue the discussion.
7:01 AM
Tara, how on the ball you are to be able to state the support you're looking for!
For some reason, that word "support" just has me kind of stymied. I looked it up on dictionary.com and was delighted to find 22 definitions for the word. No wonder I'm a little boggled about it! Here's some of my favorite definitions that help me explain the type of support I look for:
1. to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for. [And expecting a group to hold up a mass as big as mine is expecting quite a lot!]
2. to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for. [I want the constancy of the group]
3. to undergo or endure, esp. with patience or submission; tolerate. [Grace, I think.]
4. to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal. [Some ordeals are bigger than others, but how nice to know someone cares about sustaining me!]
8. to corroborate (a statement, opinion, etc.): Leading doctors supported his testimony [I like having a group that is honest enough to tell me when I have goofy ideas.]
"...be patient, bearing with one another in love." Eph. 4:2b
10:01 AM
To support-
I am reminded of a t-shirt with a picture of an athletic supporter on it with the words, "Of XYZ school and team".
Which probally isn't the type of support we need, however, cheerleaders are a key ingrediant of a winning or losing team.
The dictionary definds support in many and various ways but the ones that stand out are "to hold up", "serve as a foundation" "to keep from fainting, yeilding, or losing courage" and lastly to "keep going"
My congregation, does a good of chearleading support, a high five, and pat on the back, etc... My family - friends support by trying to understand and listen. However the support that can be given by pears in the ministry is differnt. Mainly because the support given by them is meant to challenge, expand, broaden my mind set. It is academic. Meant to help set a firm foundation. So that the chances of a person "failing" "losing courage" decreases.
1:16 PM
Andrea- Your post started out as a bit of a shocker. But nice addition to the question. .
5:53 PM
OK, it's Friday afternoon. I'm supposed to be clearing off my desk and getting ready to be gone for a week. But I decided instead to tackle question 2: "How do you see yourself as giving support?"
I know what I want to say.
I want to say that I pray in an organized way for every person on our DCE roster.
I want to say that I am diligent about remembering important anniversaries - special birthdays, years in the ministry, installations, big life events - births, weddings, etc - for EVERYONE on our DCE list.
I want to say that I remember to check up and see how someone is doing in between our meetings when they have expressed something especially painful.
I want to say that I send notes of appreciation to everyone who has encouraged me, who inspires me, who helps me laugh a little.
I want to say that when someone is trying to think through a situation I do more than just give my opinion. That I do what I know I'm supposed to do - you know help them come up with a list of all the possibilities and ask (for each option) "And how might that work out?"
But I can't say any of those things. This question was so hard because I want so much for this group to be supportive. And besides coming to most of the meetings - I'm not very supportive.
YIKES!
3:40 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home