The emerging church at rest

It's looks like I really missed out on some caffeinated discussion at General Conference. At least the photos help me visualize and imagine what must have been. No one needs a picture of me anymore. I look like any old guy with white hair, white goatee and glasses but it would have been great to meet you. My post will not advance the discussion of the emerging church but I hope it will provide some valuable information.

In January of this year I was looking for a book online and came across a resource list for pastors. One of those resources was pastorsretreatnetwork.org and was described as a retreat opportunity for pastors. At that time I was seriously considering resigning from my ministry because a power struggle had been underway for about a year and I didn't know if I could hang on. I thought perhaps a retreat would be a way for me to get some distance and some strength to keep going. I registered for a date when my son would be at camp so my wife and I could go together. Within a few days I got a phone call inviting me to attend at no cost--a room and three meals a day would be provided Monday through Friday morning.

Sound to good to be true? That is what grace all about and that was what the retreat was all about. When I registered I was looking for God to give me strength to hang on but when I arrived I realized he just wanted me to be with him. In 26 years of ministry I have never had a week like this. I highly recommend it.

I attended the retreat center near New Bedford, Ohio but there are two others--one in Wisconsin and one in Texas. The goal is to have place of retreat within 6 hours of every pastor in the US. What a grace gift. I highly recommend this resource. Check it out. We can't continue to emerge without an occasional planned retreat.