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Pastor/Spouse Gathering
Pastors and spouses, plan to attend the annual retreat at the St. Benedict Center near Schuyler, Nebraska for fellowship, worship, rest and learning. See the brochure for the schedule and what to bring. “Life-Giving Spiritual Practices that have Saved our Lives, Built our Faith and Energized our Ministries” The Exodus story of slavery, deliverance, wilderness and Promise Land describes well our journey of life. As pastors and spouses we experience times when life is “hard.” Then there are those times when we experience God’s hand of “deliverance” and we sing our songs of praise. Sometimes our journey feels like “wilderness,” when the way ahead is long and difficult. Other times we experience “Promise Land” when we find ourselves in a good place and life and ministry are going well. This pastor/spouse gathering will explore all of these aspects of the journey and the practices that can help us along the way. We will explore these through personal stories shared by pastors and spouses from within our conference. We will reflect on these themes together, in small group settings, and in times of worshiping our God who is present with us in all of our life’s journey. With our conference focus on building relationships, this pastor/spouse gathering is an excellent opportunity for pastors and spouses to learn to know each other, hear each others' stories, fellowship and worship together in a retreat setting.
Session One: Slavery/Deliverance: Exodus 2:23-3:17. "God heard the Israelites' groaning," "God saw and God understood…" (I have seen the affliction, I have heard their cry, I know their sorrows). In the midst of your struggle, what spiritual life-giving practices helped you know God's presence and loving care? Session Two: Wilderness: Exodus 15:22–16:35. The wilderness journey represents the prolonged journey through difficult times and environments. The wilderness journey challenges our faith and trust in God’s ongoing presence and care. What spiritual life-giving practices enabled you to understand and to trust in God’s ongoing love and presence as you journeyed through the wilderness? Session Three: Promised Land: Joshua 3:9-17; 4:1-7; Deuteronomy 6:10-15; 34:1-5. Life in the Promised Land can be just as challenging as the wilderness journey but in different ways. In these ordinary times when life is going well, what spiritual life-giving practices keep your faith and walk with Christ strong? Since Moses did not reach the Promised Land, what spiritual life-giving practices enable you to trust in God’s call when you are not able to fulfill your dreams for a given congregation?
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