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I have never encountered a minister, worship leader, missionary or lay person who thinks that loving God is lonely
space of ministerial leadership. In one study, 70% of Christian leaders polled admitted to having no place to be
their authentic self. Most are encouraged to solve this problem by doing things like memorizing more scripture,
writing elaborate goals and strategic plans, and organizing and/or attending a lot of good, well intended
workshops. If you have discovered that these things do not quench your deeper heart thirst for more, then
you are likely ready for the reFresh Authentic Community in Transformation (ACT) Journey.
At the core of "doing" ministry is our first order calling - to "be with Jesus" (Mark 3:13ff) and to love the Lord our
God... (Lk 10:27). Being a part of the ACT Journey will help you attend to this vital relationship first and
foremost, from which will flow a healthy, natural, irrepressible love for self and neighbor. Jesus calls us to be with
Him and our spiritual authority (and longevity) in ministry (our witness) flows from that "with-ness." In the
reFresh ACT Journey you will discover, recover and deepen your devotion to Christ so as to more effectively and
passionately serve God's people and minister to those in need of His touch of love. You will, in community, learn
how to tend to your own soul so you can tend to the souls of others. There is no greater investment for a
minister of Christ.
Because Christianity is primarily about relationship, this two year sojourn will be in a small group community. As
Ruth Haley Barton says, "People change incrementally...over time...with others...in the context of spiritual
disciplines that open us to God." So over two years, with others, we will explore what it means to let the real
God (not who we fear, imagine or want Him to be) reveal His real self to our real selves (not who we fear, imagine
or want ourselves to be) in the midst of our longing to know and be known, love and be loved. We will identify
our heart longings as well as pursue what is blocking us from growth and true transformation. Plenty of space is
given for you to, primarily, be authentic before God in communion with Him - but within the context of a
community of others who are also seeking to open their lives to God's love and healing. We will become an
Authentic Community in Transformation (over Time) first as we seek His face, and secondarily as we help one
another pay attention to what He is unfolding within us. This is NOT a counseling or therapy group, not
necessarily a place where we will share our stories in depth. It is a place to process how God is drawing you
deeper into transforming intimacy with Himself. My dream is that in the midst of the journey each co-journeyer
will discover a fresh passion and voice for ministry.
ACT is the opportunity to retreat in community with other hungry hearts 3x/year for 2 years...and the
opportunity to process your life/heart/relationship with God with an extra pair of ears (mine) every month we
are not retreating. The journey is meant to "complement" your already full life and ministries, not add additional
work or assignments to it.
What is offered:
What it costs:
What you pay:
Note: In order to gain the most from this 2 year journey, you are committing to both attending and paying for
the entire journey including the retreats and spiritual coaching times. Naturally, unforeseeable emergencies
arise and grace abounds - but you will be asked to sign a pledge of your commitment.
GOOD NEWS: Because The Table Community church is overseeing reFresh, any reFresh participant may raise
donations to do the ACT Journey much like you would raise funds for a missions trip. Contact me for more info.
Also, if you are in ministry, these expenses would likely be considered a tax-deductible ministry expense and/or
tax write off for personal development and training. Check with your organization and/or tax advisor.
To apply for the ACT Journey click here.
For more info or if you have questions, please email.
space of ministerial leadership. In one study, 70% of Christian leaders polled admitted to having no place to be
their authentic self. Most are encouraged to solve this problem by doing things like memorizing more scripture,
writing elaborate goals and strategic plans, and organizing and/or attending a lot of good, well intended
workshops. If you have discovered that these things do not quench your deeper heart thirst for more, then
you are likely ready for the reFresh Authentic Community in Transformation (ACT) Journey.
At the core of "doing" ministry is our first order calling - to "be with Jesus" (Mark 3:13ff) and to love the Lord our
God... (Lk 10:27). Being a part of the ACT Journey will help you attend to this vital relationship first and
foremost, from which will flow a healthy, natural, irrepressible love for self and neighbor. Jesus calls us to be with
Him and our spiritual authority (and longevity) in ministry (our witness) flows from that "with-ness." In the
reFresh ACT Journey you will discover, recover and deepen your devotion to Christ so as to more effectively and
passionately serve God's people and minister to those in need of His touch of love. You will, in community, learn
how to tend to your own soul so you can tend to the souls of others. There is no greater investment for a
minister of Christ.
Because Christianity is primarily about relationship, this two year sojourn will be in a small group community. As
Ruth Haley Barton says, "People change incrementally...over time...with others...in the context of spiritual
disciplines that open us to God." So over two years, with others, we will explore what it means to let the real
God (not who we fear, imagine or want Him to be) reveal His real self to our real selves (not who we fear, imagine
or want ourselves to be) in the midst of our longing to know and be known, love and be loved. We will identify
our heart longings as well as pursue what is blocking us from growth and true transformation. Plenty of space is
given for you to, primarily, be authentic before God in communion with Him - but within the context of a
community of others who are also seeking to open their lives to God's love and healing. We will become an
Authentic Community in Transformation (over Time) first as we seek His face, and secondarily as we help one
another pay attention to what He is unfolding within us. This is NOT a counseling or therapy group, not
necessarily a place where we will share our stories in depth. It is a place to process how God is drawing you
deeper into transforming intimacy with Himself. My dream is that in the midst of the journey each co-journeyer
will discover a fresh passion and voice for ministry.
ACT is the opportunity to retreat in community with other hungry hearts 3x/year for 2 years...and the
opportunity to process your life/heart/relationship with God with an extra pair of ears (mine) every month we
are not retreating. The journey is meant to "complement" your already full life and ministries, not add additional
work or assignments to it.
What is offered:
- Three - 3 night retreats per year for 2 years. Long enough for sufficient rest, regular enough to have
something to look forward to. Each retreat will be a combination of silence, sleep, worship, lingering over
meals and experiential discoveries of and opportunities for fostering God's transforming work in and around
each of us in community. One gift of this journey is creating a regular rhythm of pulling away 3x a year (only
9 days total per year) that will help give energy and focus for the other 356 days! - A monthly spiritual direction time with Paula Gamble every month except the months we are retreating -
a place to regularly check in with how you are relating to and/or resisting God. - 20% off day reFresh retreats during your two year ACT journey period (optional attendance)
What it costs:
- Six - 3 night retreats (food, lodging, spiritual facilitation, materials etc) Approx $410 per retreat.
- 18 sessions of Spiritual Direction = approx $60 for 60 minutes.
What you pay:
- A non-refundable $250 secures your spot (a max of 9 people will journey together). This deposit will apply
toward the overall cost of the ACT Journey. - Pay in full package discount: 1 payment of $2800 (15% off) after $250 deposit
- Pay yearly - 2 payments of $1485 (over 10% off) after $250 deposit
- Pay at each retreat - 6 payments of $550 after $250 deposit
Note: In order to gain the most from this 2 year journey, you are committing to both attending and paying for
the entire journey including the retreats and spiritual coaching times. Naturally, unforeseeable emergencies
arise and grace abounds - but you will be asked to sign a pledge of your commitment.
GOOD NEWS: Because The Table Community church is overseeing reFresh, any reFresh participant may raise
donations to do the ACT Journey much like you would raise funds for a missions trip. Contact me for more info.
Also, if you are in ministry, these expenses would likely be considered a tax-deductible ministry expense and/or
tax write off for personal development and training. Check with your organization and/or tax advisor.
To apply for the ACT Journey click here.
For more info or if you have questions, please email.
2010-2012 ACT
dates
Feb 2-5 2012
June 10-13 2012
dates
Feb 2-5 2012
June 10-13 2012
 |
2011-2013 ACT
II dates
Nov 3-6, 2011
March 1-4, 2012
July 15-18, 2012
Nov 1-4 2012
March 3-6, 2013
July 14-17, 2013
II dates
Nov 3-6, 2011
March 1-4, 2012
July 15-18, 2012
Nov 1-4 2012
March 3-6, 2013
July 14-17, 2013
2012-2014 ACT
III dates
9/30-10/3,2012
Feb, 2013
June 2013
Oct 2013
Feb 2014
June 2014
III dates
9/30-10/3,2012
Feb, 2013
June 2013
Oct 2013
Feb 2014
June 2014
| Click here to read some testimonials of current ACT participants! |
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