Pastors pastor each other at Encourage retreat
Attendees are ready for a polar plunge in Lake Winnipeg. (Scott Marble)
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” wrote Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities. He was not talking about pastoral ministry when he penned these words. But this is a great description of pastoral ministry. There will be high highs and low lows. This experience of feeling alone can happen even when pastors are surrounded by caring congregations. So, when there is an opportunity to connect with other pastors and their spouses, it is very valuable.
The Encourage retreat was an inaugural event held at Lakeview Resort in Gimli, Man. We were excited to see 17 churches send pastors to this event. Though the weather was uncooperative, the event gave time for pastors to retreat, recharge, and connect with God and others. There were many highlights, including worship and teaching sessions, meals, watching Emily Reimer destroy her husband, Alain, at Tenzi (a fun dice game), and a dip in Lake Winnipeg with a few friends—receding ice in full view.
For me, one of the moments I will hold on to was the time set aside for participants to receive prayer. Pastors and their spouses struggle to find appropriate places to be vulnerable with their challenges, hurts, and doubts. Our sessions with speakers Jay and Sharon Guptil were focused on allowing the Holy Spirit to give rest and renewal in our ministry.
Conference Pastor Andy Woodworth (Scott Marble)
Keynote speaker Sharon Guptil (Scott Marble)
During our Tuesday evening session, prayerfully we responded to the call to invite the Holy Spirit to fill each of us anew. Jay and Sharon gave an opportunity for those who needed prayer to come forward. The group laid hands on others and prayed as the Holy Spirit directed. It was beautiful to see pastors pastor each other. After ministering to each other, we celebrated what we were thankful for.
The Board of Leadership and Outreach planned this event for paid EMC pastoral staff and their spouses. A quote we read by Brenda Jank said, “Rest is not a reward. You can’t earn it. You don’t deserve it. It will never be convenient. Rest is a rhythm ordained by God and a responsibility for those committed to God’s best” (Run Hard Rest Well). As pastors, we are robbing God and our churches if we run without regularly resting. While this retreat wasn’t attended by every pastor in our Conference, my prayer is that our pastors and their families would build a rhythm of rest into their lives. As churches, we need to encourage our pastors to foster these rhythms. We don’t work so that we can rest; we rest so that we can do what God has called us to do.
– Mo Friesen
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