Pine Cove No Agenda Retreat
A few years back our student ministry had a big event that involved playing laser tag and bowling and arcades and ice skating all intertwined with Bible studies and small group discussion/sleep overs. It was all crammed into a weekend. And it was very well attended and very cool.
The next year, only three kids signed up so we cancelled it.
I asked my older teenagers why it didn't work when the previous year had been so much fun. Their responses had a common thread in that the teens said they were so busy and if they wanted to do that stuff they could do it themselves. They said they came to church for the Bible studies and spiritual growth and not for entertainment.
Which is good. This generation of teens is pretty observant.
But, I also asked them what they wanted to replace the other event. They said they were so busy they wanted to slow down. This generation of teens is pretty exhausted.
So, my staff and I decided to implement the opposite of a high-energy weekend: A true retreat. No Agenda. We supply the bus and the camp location. You bring the Bibles and the questions, or don't. Sleep if you want. Go to lake and canoe. Hike. Play basketball. We'll hang out and get to know you.
At the end, we'll have a campfire and let you talk about what God taught you on the retreat...and even that meeting is optional. There truly is no agenda.
And, from the youth pastor's perspective, it's great. There's time to actually talk to the teens...and more importantly listen to them. To relax with them. And watch them truly relax.
A couple of observations: Us suburbanites are oppressing our teens with "good" involvements. I mean, they aren't hauling off and going to seances, but after 8 hours of school, couple of hours of a job, SAT prep, soccer/piano/art lessons/games/clubs/etc., church stuff...manalive. We've forgotten to rest. I firmly believe rest is important to an abundant life.
Secondly, my job/life/ministry never gets old. After 15 years of this student ministry deal, I am still passionate about what I do. There are few things more rewarding than the relationships developed on weekends like this one. The good, the bad, the ugly. My life is better because these "kids" are in it.
A few years back our student ministry had a big event that involved playing laser tag and bowling and arcades and ice skating all intertwined with Bible studies and small group discussion/sleep overs. It was all crammed into a weekend. And it was very well attended and very cool.
The next year, only three kids signed up so we cancelled it.
I asked my older teenagers why it didn't work when the previous year had been so much fun. Their responses had a common thread in that the teens said they were so busy and if they wanted to do that stuff they could do it themselves. They said they came to church for the Bible studies and spiritual growth and not for entertainment.
Which is good. This generation of teens is pretty observant.
But, I also asked them what they wanted to replace the other event. They said they were so busy they wanted to slow down. This generation of teens is pretty exhausted.
So, my staff and I decided to implement the opposite of a high-energy weekend: A true retreat. No Agenda. We supply the bus and the camp location. You bring the Bibles and the questions, or don't. Sleep if you want. Go to lake and canoe. Hike. Play basketball. We'll hang out and get to know you.
At the end, we'll have a campfire and let you talk about what God taught you on the retreat...and even that meeting is optional. There truly is no agenda.
And, from the youth pastor's perspective, it's great. There's time to actually talk to the teens...and more importantly listen to them. To relax with them. And watch them truly relax.
A couple of observations: Us suburbanites are oppressing our teens with "good" involvements. I mean, they aren't hauling off and going to seances, but after 8 hours of school, couple of hours of a job, SAT prep, soccer/piano/art lessons/games/clubs/etc., church stuff...manalive. We've forgotten to rest. I firmly believe rest is important to an abundant life.
Secondly, my job/life/ministry never gets old. After 15 years of this student ministry deal, I am still passionate about what I do. There are few things more rewarding than the relationships developed on weekends like this one. The good, the bad, the ugly. My life is better because these "kids" are in it.
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