Last weekend I went to a men's retreat. It was a bit last minute which I will get to more later but it was worth it. I had a meaningful experience and I am ready to kind of ride the wave and see where it takes me.
It was held a beautiful place on a small lake. It was like being back in summer camp though with 5 bunk beds in a room and eating at the dining hall at meal time and walking every where. Great range of ages of men from 18 to 89. Several first timers like me to go along with the men that have been coming over the years. Add that we never went without coffee and all was great. :)
So we had a main speaker for the weekend to do sessions and he did a great job. Young associate pastor that will be opening a new church with the next couple years. I really enjoyed what he had to say. He gave things to think about and we got to talk in small groups during the session which added to what was going on.
I enjoyed the various activities we did Saturday afternoon. Made me think about things I had not thought about like using fantasy sports as a mean to do small groups and maybe bring in men on the fringe of doing small groups into the mix or even just on the fringe of doing more in the church. The jam session on Saturday night was a lot of fun. Always enjoy singing songs I grew up listening to in the church or songs that I didn't know already.
I just had a good time getting know people and having time of fellowship. At the end of the night we would hang for a while and eat junk food. The younger crew played Wii Saturday night probably too late into the night for the taste of the older gentleman in attendance. You of course are looking at the Wii golf champion of the retreat. :D
We got see a great performance by a group called Sheltered Reality. You should go to youtube or their website and check them out. Drummers who bring a great message with the great music they play. Very interactive as well. I already passed on a cd and brochure to the director of family ministries and said book them. Hope he listens to me. ;)
At the end of the day I am just inspired to do more. I have felt like I have been called to do more and I wasn't sure what that was. I am still not 100% positive but I think I have an idea. I didn't know about this retreat until less than two weeks before it happened. I saw it in the newsletter said that sounds cool but I have something going on and just very short notice. Well then I was contacted about attending and checked into it more and got more info and things just fell in place and off I was to the retreat. I think I should take that as a sign. I have a meeting set to talk to our small group director about what steps I need to take to start and establish a men's group at the church. I feel that is something that we need and I want to make it happen. So wish me luck this coming week on seeing how that goes.
For now I am out though. Later gators!
