Here are 10 ways to choose a retreat center...
1. Settle on a Purpose. Your purpose will decide what type of facility will work best. A youth group wanting a fun weekend together may put a high priority on recreational facilities. Perhaps you want to work in some sightseeing into the weekend, then you might want to select an area that is close to the attractions you would like to visit.
2. Length of Stay. Consider the advantages of a second night at a facility to provide more time for group interaction. Veteran retreat planners have discovered that the second night goes a long way in creating a valuable community experience. Factor in travel time as well. You may be planning a three-day retreat, but if it takes a day to get there then you really have only one day to work with.
3. Reserve Early. The best dates and nicest facilities get booked first. Consider reserving a facility six months to a year before you want to have a retreat. If you are pleased with the facility and service, you might want to make your reservation for the following year before your retreat is over.
4. Decide on a Price Range. It is wise to go with what the majority of your group is willing to spend. Consider offering financial assistance to those needing help. Or you can charge your group a little less than the actual cost and ask several people who can afford it to help make up the difference.
5. Get Organized. Before you call a facility, do your planning. Decide what type of accommodations you want (motel, dorms or cabins), what type of meal service, quality of menu--tuna surprise or Chicken Kiev; how large your group will be, what kind of meeting space you'll need, when you plan to arrive and depart, and if you mind sharing a facility with other groups.
6. Have a "Plan B". Have several options on dates that would work for your group. Locking yourself in to a specific date without options will set you up for disappointment if the center is not available at that particular time. Confirm dates for a facility before you confirm dates with a speaker!
7. Compare. When comparing prices between retreat facilities, make sure you ask what is and is not included in the basic fee, such as coffee breaks, audio/visual equipment and recreational equipment. Talk to other groups and find out where they have received the best service. Make a visit to a potential site. Talking in person with a representative at the facility and seeing the buildings and grounds will answer a lot of questions. When you compare facilities, don't let cost be the primary factor--ask yourself which facility and staff will help your group best achieve its retreat program goals.
8. Get it in Writing. You will want to have a written contract signed by your group representative and by the retreat facility's representative describing the agreement between the group and the conference center [camp]. Usually a nonrefundable deposit (10-15% of the minimum fee) will be required. Be sure that the minimum number of participants and the corresponding minimum fee are reasonably attainable. You may be required to make up the difference if you miss your minimum. Ask if there are additional cancellation charges.
9. Evaluate. Check out the staff's attitude toward service and hospitality as well as their philosophy. Ask others who have been there. Will a host be available to answer your questions and take care of needs during the retreat?
10. Do Your Homework. Know what you and your group want and ask lots of questions. Pre-retreat communication pays off. Keep notes and names of those you talked with for all your phone conversations, and make sure all agreements and arrangements are made in writing. Frequent and detailed pre-retreat communication will improve your chances of getting the level of service that is so important in making your retreat experience a positive one.
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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New Lesson series on Prayer. Lesson 1... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Use Your Tongue Wisely (Sep 19, 2007 at 2:18 AM) - It usually takes a pretty long time for you to build a good reputation. People don't say good things about you just because they think it's the right thing to do.
Hitting the Wall (Sep 7, 2007 at 2:51 AM) - Cut, paste, and send this to your teens or use it as an "Attention Getter" in a class or devo.
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Thursday, September 20, 2007
Youth Ministry Retreats
Monday, September 10, 2007
Youth Ministry Creative Emails
Here are three ways to use email creatively...
1. Half a message. Who can't send an entire message? Try sending only half the message. In order for the full message to be received have group members respond with a favorite verse or the name of a friend they are inviting to church. End your half message with a teaser that will make them want to respond.
2. Prayer Tree. Send an email to one teen with your name at the top and your prayer requests. The person who receives it is to add their name under yours with their requests. They in turn send it to another youth group member who does the same. When the last person with email receives the list they add their name then return it to you. Then you can print it out for meetings or send it to the entire group as a mass email.
3. Guess Who. Have your group members turn in a description of themselves to you. Once a week send one out to the group without the person's name. Offer a prize for those who get it right—like getting to sit next to you during church services!
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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P.S. Pass this issue of the Monday MAXimizer along to 3 youth ministry friends.
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New Lesson on Temptation... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Hitting the Wall (Sep 7, 2007 at 2:51 AM) - Cut, paste, and send this to your teens or use it as an "Attention Getter" in a class or devo.
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Monday, August 27, 2007
Youth Ministry
P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".
10. Praise. "Therefore let us offer continually to God the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips giving praise to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).
Let God's praises ring through your group.
Praise God through singing and sharing. Lift Him up with words of adoration and thanksgiving.
Give Him the glory and honor for every blessing.
If we're breathing, we should be praising (Psalm 150:6).
During one of your class or devotional times this week ask your group to share...
When we give God "the fruit of our lips" it also give us the chance to say out loud what we have felt inside our hearts.
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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P.S. Pass this issue of the Monday MAXimizer along to 3 youth ministry friends.
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Esther Lesson 8... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Daily Bible Readings (Aug 24, 2007 at 2:09 AM) - September Daily Bible Readings. Get these scripture into the hands of your teens.
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007
youth ministry
P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".
9. Propriety. "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).
Holiness should be a mark of our ministry.
Every word and action is measured against the standard of holiness.
Holiness should determine what the teens wear, where they go, what movies they watch in the hotel room after the day's events, etc.
Some youth groups resemble the world with only the name of Christ attached to them. Fortunately, ost youth leaders are seeking only to lead teens into a deeper walk with Christ.
A standard of propriety will produce a walk in Christ, not just a claim of Christ (1 John 2:6).
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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P.S. Pass this issue of the Monday MAXimizer along to 3 youth ministry friends.
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Esther Lesson 7... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Fighting Sexual Sin (Aug 17, 2007 at 3:21 AM) - As parents and youth ministers we are constantly fighting for our teens to resist sexual temptations.
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Sunday, August 12, 2007
youth ministry passion
P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".
8. Passion. "…His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, and indeed I cannot" (Jeremiah 20:9).
That's passion.
It's an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, instead it must be released. Passion longs for all that God will give. It hungers for all that God can fill. It overflows with unquenchable emotion. When our ministries contain passion no one will remain untouched by God's desire.
They may refuse it. But it won't be for a lack of feeling it.
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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Esther Lesson 5... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Teaching Tip (Aug 10, 2007 at 2:46 AM) - Can you imagine how much you can get done in two hours?
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Monday, August 6, 2007
Youth Ministry Preaching
P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".
7. Preach. "Preach the word in all seasons" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Sometimes you need to teach and sometimes we need to preach. We need to be able to lay it on the line without a parable, or an object lesson, or a clever story.
There are times when we want the group to discover the lesson for themselves and times when we need to make it painfully clear so no one can walk away without understanding.
Preaching is a traditional term that we often leave for the guy who stands behind the pulpit. Dust it off and put it into practice. You don't have to tell the teens you're preaching - just do it when it's necessary.
Here are a few tips to help your "preaching"...
1. Preach it Hard. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost he told the people that they crucified the Messiah. He didn't soft-sell it or go gentle on them.
2. Preach it Clear. Peter's words were not in question. The crowd did not have to call a meeting to decode the message.
3. Preach it Pain. The crowd did not respond because Peter asked them to. They responded because they knew something had to be done. They felt a pain. They were "prick in their hearts and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'What should we do?'"
As school is about to begin, now might be the right time to preach a strong lesson about the upcoming year.
Your Partners in Youth Ministry, Paul & Al
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P.S. Pass this issue of the Monday MAXimizer along to 3 youth ministry friends.
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Esther Lesson 5... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Life Is Fleeting (Aug 3, 2007 at 1:48 PM) - The tragic scene at Virginia Tech has reminded me that life is fleeting. That's certainly not a new revelation, but one that I need to be reminded of from time to time.
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