Program

Each day will include a balance of:
Worship
Led by various participants, daily worship times will provide reflections based on 1 & 2 Corinthians and the
two recommended reading books: James Forbes’ The Holy Spirit and Preaching, and The Preaching Life by Barbara Brown Taylor. If you would like to participate in the leadership of one of our seven times of worship (approx. fifteen to thirty minutes each) please indicate your willingness on the registration form and the retreat director will contact you with more information.

Professional Development
A time for professional development and discussion will be part of each day’s schedule on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday. These sessions will be “in the field.” Discussion times will focus on identifying transferable concepts in the ministry of western circuit riders, then move on to discuss one of the assigned books: Philip Yancey’s, Church: Why Bother?, and Peter Storey’s God in the Crucible: Preaching Costly Discipleship. Here are the discussion themes:

Tuesday: Is your church a community of law or grace? (Yancey)
Wednesday: Discovering God in the Crucible of 21st century American Culture (Storey)
Thursday: Ministry health check—hypersensitive vs. callus (Yancey)

Re-creational Activities Included in Retreat Tuition
Swimming , Hiking in the Collegiate Range , Basketball, Sand Volleyball, Softball , Fishing (see info below re: license)

Optional Re-creational Activities Not Included in Retreat Tuition
Horseback riding (about $25 for 1 hour, $35 for 2 hours, or $50 for 3 hours.)
Fishing (Go to http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses and click on Buy Licenses
Online and follow the prompts to buy a required fishing license.) Limited gear is available at DVR.
Golfing (Two 9 hole courses are nearby. Clubs are available to rent)
Time at a hot spring resort ($10.00 for a day pass) or ATV off-roading are also possibilities.

Sleep
There is nothing like sleeping in the cool nights of the Rocky Mountains at 8,400 feet above sea level tucked between two 14,000 foot mountain peaks (known as 14ers to the locals). But before turning in, be sure to take in the stars. They are phenomenal—and so many of them!

Take Home Outcome of the Retreat
In times of personal reflection participants will be invited to craft a response to the question: “If I and my church got serious about confronting with the Gospel our 21st century American culture, I/we would . . .” The response could be the seeds of a plan to take home. In our closing Communion service on Thursday night, each participant will be invited, if they wish, to share their response to the question for refection and we will commission one another for our future ministry.