‘Effective teams step back from activity to examine purpose. Retreats give space for clarity that busy schedules never allow.’ Peter Drucker
Purpose of Team retreat:
To deepen relationships with each other.
To deepen our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
To deal with any issues which may need to be addressed and business.
Envisioning.
- Get the team prayed up and work out if you want a speaker/s well in advance so they have good time for preparation.
Work out the length of time you will be away. - What level of leadership do you want to invite?
Is there room for Board members to attend any of the sessions?
Consider whether you should invite any marriage partners along for part of the retreat as there can be an advantage in doing that. - As much as possible seek to bless the staff for all their hard work by choosing a location that will bring refreshment. Be creative in your thinking as something very suitable may not be overly expensive.
Limit distractions including the use of mobile phones and people departing for periods of time. - Deepen relationships with each other. (This depends on the time spent together.)
Fun – Here is one example of getting to know one another on a deeper level.
Get into groups of 4 people. Each person is to present 3 scenarios of things they have done in their lives but one of them is made up. The group must guess the one. If they guess right, then that person is the winner. If there is time a couple of groups could share in the wider group.
Sharing – in prayer groups.
Eating together – have people sitting together who don’t know each other. - Deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ through:
Devotions and praying together.
Silence – be creative e.g. walking by oneself outside and perhaps reporting back. - Issues which need to be addressed:
Who is to be the chair person?
Who will be involved from staff to facilitate good presentations and communication?
Endeavour to get rid of the white elephant in the room if there is one. - Envisioning.
A suggested programme for evening and next day retreat.
Evening event
Arrival and settling in
Gathering and welcome
Getting to know one another – game
Short devotions and worship time
Supper
Day event
Breakfast
First talk and worship
Morning tea
Second talk
Lunch
Free time – short
Third talk
Afternoon tea
Fourth talk
Dinner
Home
Business sessions, department sharing presentations can be interspersed throughout the day along with envisioning.
Send them away with your blessing and express grateful thanks for their involvement.
Free Essential Christian Resources for New Believers & Leadership Growth 