The Importance of Retreating

This past weekend we took a team retreat.  It was needed.  It was good.

Pretty team walk on retreat

I’m not sure what the word retreat means to you.  According to the dictionary, it has many definitions.  It can be an army’s withdrawal from a position, as well as place of retirement or seclusion.  It can refer to a peaceful quiet place, or also a period for meditation, prayer or study.  For us, I think a team retreat (as opposed to an individual or personal retreat) should, if possible, have aspects of all of those things.  

An army withdrawing from its forward position.  We’re not talking about a rout—when the soldiers are so beaten they flee in disarray throwing their weapons and losing all sense of order.  We are talking about the orderly retreat, when we move back from the place of combat to reassess, reevaluate and regroup..  We need that sometimes.  We may not be in an actual physical war, but many days it feels like we are on the frontline of a battle—and the battle is hard.  Sometimes we need to pull back and regroup.  Pulling back helps, because things look different from the back of the ranks rather than the front.  You gain perspective on the whole situation that you didn’t have before.  Then you must regroup. The need to regroup is so important—it is an essential part of the retreat.  We are a team—what are we driving toward?  What are our goals?  Where does each of us stand?  What role does each one need to play?  The regrouping is what brings renewed focus and purpose to our team.  Retreating without regrouping is a lost opportunity.

Pretty sunrise on retreat

A place of retirement or seclusion—a peaceful quiet place.  We need that too, and it can be hard to find on our little island where everyone knows everyone and what they had for breakfast.  If we don’t find a place where we can get away and stay at home, then we can be sure that visitors knocking on our doors, water coming on and the trash trucks honking will be distracting our attention.  Thankfully, we discovered a new spot— secluded, quiet and peaceful that allowed us to meet together without distraction or interruption.  How thankful we are for this discovery!

A period of meditation, prayer or study.  This too needs to be part of our retreat.  It is not really rest, unless we rest in Him.  It is not really regrouping, unless we are regrouping under His leadership.  So having and taking the time to pray, worship and give thanks are an equal part of the purpose and time.  It is wonderful to brainstorm and strategize, but unless we come and listen to the one who guides us, it will not be a retreat—it will be a planning session. But in a retreat, there is time for listening.  There is time given for Him to heal us, speak to us, redirect us, remind us of what we have been called to and correct us when we’ve gotten off-course. 

Team celebrating Tom's bday

We don’t always succeed in making a retreat all these things, but we do need them.  

Because of transitions big and small it has been a long time since our team has had a retreat—more than a year.  That is not good.  We could feel ourselves fraying at the edges—still holding together, still one—but pulled in different directions, and feeling the threads that hold us together pulling away from each other.  I don’t know how well we achieved the different parts of retreat over the weekend.  Some parts were better than others. But I know that it was needed and good.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
The retreat went well and we were very happy with the location midway between the two teams. Water has improved. We have been able to fill up all our barrels and the cistern! We got to celebrate Tom’s birthday as a team! Our kids’ boarding school had a special week with a visiting speaker and band, it sounds like it was a really encouraging time. Our colleague’s son’s surgery went well and he is recovering well so far. We continue to pray for full healing.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for a friend of Tom’s who just called today very upset and not himself. He is someone who has studied with Tom a lot in the past. Tom is hoping he will come over so they can talk and pray. Muki hasn’t been around much, pray for his interest to study to continue. Pray for our teammate as she travels off island for a needed holiday— may it be restful and restorative. Pray for us as we navigate different complex situations-- that we would be guided by the One who understands so much better that us. One of our organizational leaders is traveling to the island this weekend— pray for an encouraging visit and smooth travels between all the islands. Megan is hoping to start regular studies with an island sister. Pray for wisdom as they talk about when, what and with whom to study.