A Call to Retreat

“I don’t think I ever knew how much I needed this...”

That’s what I thought as I sat in the easy chair in a cabin on my first pastoral retreat. No agenda, no plan, and no idea what to do next. Let me explain….

For years, I heard from others how important it was to go on a personal retreat as a pastor. Now I had been to conferences, seminars, and even “retreats” where pastors gathered together, but never one for myself, by myself. Over the years, I gave myself all kinds of excuses:

“One day I will, but not now. I’m way too busy.”

“Our family has plans almost every weekend.”

“I’m not close to burnout yet. I’ll go when I really need to get away.”

AN INVITATION TO REST

This past year, a member of our church connected me with a gentleman who ran a pastoral retreat center for pastors and their families. He told me I was welcome to reach out and schedule a weekend to visit and relax. It had furnished cabins, a scenic lake with a stocked pond, miles of hiking trails, and more. It sounded perfect, but I told myself I just didn’t have time for something like that; I had too much going on.

With Fall approaching, I tried to “rationalize” the trip by making it into a planning weekend for our Fall curriculum and events. I brought all my things, especially my laptop, for access to everything I would need to get ready for Fall. I was told there was some spotty signal at the retreat center, but I wasn’t too concerned. Upon arriving, I realized not only was there no wi-fi, but the “spotty” cell phone coverage was barely enough to load a single webpage.

I sat, flustered and a little defeated, asking myself, “What am I going to do now?” The only thing I could think of was to pull out my Bible and have my quiet time. It was wonderful. Zero interruptions. I felt so relaxed. So relaxed that thirty minutes later, I was asleep on the couch.

The rest of the weekend held a similar pace. I had no wi-fi to get work done and “feel productive.” I had no cell phone coverage to waste time on my phone. I had to just…be. That’s when I thought to myself, “I don’t think I ever knew how much I needed this...”

I had times of extended prayer and Bible reading.

I read a book I had meant to read. (Not ministry related, solely for enjoyment.) 

I completed a LEGO set. (Hey, we all need hobbies.)

I just sat and…thought. I thought about my relationship with God. My wife. My kids. My church. My ministry. I wrote down what was going through my head. I could not remember the last time I just sat and was alone with my thoughts. Normally, there’s always the next thing, the next task, or the next distraction.    

After I left, I told myself I needed to schedule another retreat like this soon. Because before being there, I had no idea what I was missing. Here are some thoughts about taking a personal retreat that may help you plan one sooner, rather than later.

YOU WERE MADE TO REST

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am terrible at keeping still. I feel like there’s always the next task, a responsibility, a connection that I need to make. But if I don’t take time to rest, to be still and reminded of who holds all things together (hint: it’s not you or me), I will never be able to pour into others what God wants to pour into me. By rest, I am not just talking about a daily quiet time or a Sunday afternoon nap. I mean, take a walk, sit on a park bench, or find an empty parking lot. Take time to just be with the One who made you. God made you for work and for rest. Schedule rest into your week, and fiercely protect that time.

THE WORLD WILL KEEP SPINNING WITHOUT YOU

Even without realizing it, we all think of ourselves as more important than we actually are. You and I are not essential, and the world will move on without us. Other people can help you share the load while you’re away. Ask church staff and volunteers to cover for you while you’re gone. Give your spouse plenty of notice and discuss your plans together. Offer to watch the kids while they take a retreat in the future. But don’t let the delusion of your own importance be your excuse.

DON’T FEEL THE NEED TO ARRIVE WITH A PLAN

Personal retreats can look different from each other. Some retreats may be about prayer, planning, and prep work for the year. Others, like what I’m talking about, are more focused on rest and recharging. But if you come in with a schedule and checklist of what you want to accomplish, you may leave feeling discouraged over what you didn’t get done. If you’ve never taken a personal retreat before, I’d encourage you to start with a weekend retreat with no plan. Bring your Bible and a book or two, and a hobby you enjoy.

DON’T PUT IT OFF

Years ago, I heard someone say, “Don’t wait ‘til the car is on fire to take it to a mechanic”. In other words, don’t wait until you feel like you need a retreat to take a retreat. Making personal retreats a part of the rhythm of your life can help prevent burnout in ministry. If you can, consider taking an additional retreat with your spouse or your whole family. Model for them, and for your church, that we all need to rest.

When I had first arrived at the retreat center, the director told me of a young youth pastor who had visited the month before. The young man talked about the hundreds of students in his ministry and bragged about how he had never taken a vacation day in the last 5 years. The director told me how that young man was on a one-way trip to burning himself out, and possibly his ministry in the process.

May we never admit our need for rest and retreat as a weakness, but rather see it as being in obedience to what God has commanded us.

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

1. When was the last time you took a personal retreat? If you have never, consider scheduling one within the next 6 months. Once you do, guard that date.
2. Take a moment and think about all the people who would be affected if you left the ministry due to burnout. How important is it for you, and for them, that you keep yourself rested and renewed?

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