Great question! As I have been following you, I know you are a fan of Ruth Haley Barton and I can think of no one better for crafting the spiritual aspects of a Council Retreat. As for the visioning/dreaming session, I have stolen MOST of my good ideas from Lis Van Harten in the CRC's Sustaining Congregational Excellence office. I would e-mail or call her for suggestions.
In addition, the only thing I would add to your plans is to leave time on Friday night to LAUGH together. Worship, yes. But also play some games. Enjoy each other. One of the best books on Council health/leadership I ever read said an instant barometer of the health of the group is how frequently laughter is shared together in meetings. I've always appreciated & lived by that advice.
I've lent my copy to chair of council but I'm fairly sure this is it.
Also, Ruth Haley Barton's Pursuing God's Will Together, although that feels highly advanced to me. If your Council is just starting the conversation about SPIRITUAL leadership vis a vi managerial leadership, Barton's Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership might be a better place to start.
Posted in: Does anyone have a council spiritual retreat program that we could borrow?
Hey Leon,
Great question! As I have been following you, I know you are a fan of Ruth Haley Barton and I can think of no one better for crafting the spiritual aspects of a Council Retreat. As for the visioning/dreaming session, I have stolen MOST of my good ideas from Lis Van Harten in the CRC's Sustaining Congregational Excellence office. I would e-mail or call her for suggestions.
In addition, the only thing I would add to your plans is to leave time on Friday night to LAUGH together. Worship, yes. But also play some games. Enjoy each other. One of the best books on Council health/leadership I ever read said an instant barometer of the health of the group is how frequently laughter is shared together in meetings. I've always appreciated & lived by that advice.
Blessings, brother!
Posted in: Does anyone have a council spiritual retreat program that we could borrow?
Craig,
I've lent my copy to chair of council but I'm fairly sure this is it.
Also, Ruth Haley Barton's Pursuing God's Will Together, although that feels highly advanced to me. If your Council is just starting the conversation about SPIRITUAL leadership vis a vi managerial leadership, Barton's Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership might be a better place to start.
and blessings to YOU, brother.
meg