6 posts tagged “retreat”
This coming Sunday is the last chance to sign up at the early bird rate for our upcoming getaway. One of the many exciting parts of this weekend is the opportunity to sit under world-class teaching. Last year we got to sit down for a few days with Chris Seay.
This coming year we have the honor of spending a few days with Dwight Friesen. He is the associate professor of practical theology at the Mars Hill Graduate School of Theology in Seattle, WA. In addition to his teaching, he is also the author of Orthoparadoxy and has written extensively for various publications.
See it as a chance to spend the weekend with friends, explore our small part in the global church and have an opportunity to get some killer graduate level teaching.
At the Vox retreat one morning, we spent a morning in silence to pray and reflect. Dan and Joann Davis encouraged us be alone and
hear God speak to us within the quiet moments of our days. We began this time of reflection and silence with this prayer...
"Dear God, teach us to listen as your faithful friend,
Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me,
My family, my friends, my coworkers,
Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is
"Accept the person I am. Listen to me."
Teach me to listen, my caring God,
To those far from me -
The whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten,
The cry of the anguished.
Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me,
My family, my friends, my coworkers,
Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is
"Accept the person I am. Listen to me."
Teach me to listen, my caring God,
To those far from me -
The whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten,
The cry of the anguished.
Teach me to listen, O God my Father, to myself,
Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside -
In the deepest part of me.
Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit,
For your voice -
In the busyness and in the boredom,
In certainty and in doubt,
In noise and in silence,
Teach me, O God, to listen. Amen."
Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside -
In the deepest part of me.
Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit,
For your voice -
In the busyness and in the boredom,
In certainty and in doubt,
In noise and in silence,
Teach me, O God, to listen. Amen."
This past weekend we had our very first community retreat. And one of the goals was to come away with some practical steps of how we as a church community could better embed ourselves into the city of Austin. So after each session, we broke up into think tanks and spent time trying to come up with some proposals. There was a lot of brainstorming, dialoguing, feelings of inadequacy, dreaming, and excitement.
The end result was a range of ideas that included partnerships, intensive research, a summer camp, a documentary, and even starting a videography company. As a church community, we realized that we need to connect ourselves better with other churches and organizations that are already embedded in the city of Austin. Churches in east Austin. Organizations like Saheli and New Song Ministries. We might be able to serve kids and single mothers through a summer camp. We also felt like we don't know the stories of those who are in less fortunate circumstances. We don't really understand how we can be involved in their lives. And maybe doing a film documentary of their lives and the organizations that work with them will not only educate ourselves and others, but it will give them a voice. And starting a videography company might help us fund some of these dreams.
The really exciting part is that some of these ideas that birthed over the weekend may fully come to life this year and even this semester. We get to be the hands and feet of Christ to the city of Austin. Yes, our grimy hands and feet (to quote a phrase from Evan). So join us as we try our best to live the church in our city.
The end result was a range of ideas that included partnerships, intensive research, a summer camp, a documentary, and even starting a videography company. As a church community, we realized that we need to connect ourselves better with other churches and organizations that are already embedded in the city of Austin. Churches in east Austin. Organizations like Saheli and New Song Ministries. We might be able to serve kids and single mothers through a summer camp. We also felt like we don't know the stories of those who are in less fortunate circumstances. We don't really understand how we can be involved in their lives. And maybe doing a film documentary of their lives and the organizations that work with them will not only educate ourselves and others, but it will give them a voice. And starting a videography company might help us fund some of these dreams.
The really exciting part is that some of these ideas that birthed over the weekend may fully come to life this year and even this semester. We get to be the hands and feet of Christ to the city of Austin. Yes, our grimy hands and feet (to quote a phrase from Evan). So join us as we try our best to live the church in our city.
Friday will be Vox's first weekend getaway. Most of our community will be an hour and a half away from the city into the hill country. As a result, there will be no Sunday gathering during our regular time. If you cannot getaway with us, you will be missed and we'll see you on the 28th.
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
As Vox's (anti) retreat approaches (Jan 19th-21st), our goal for the weekend is to listen to the voice of Jesus together as a community. We want to ask how we can further embed ourselves into Austin and bless it in the name of Christ. Hopefully, the weekend will have a lasting impact on the kingdom of God in our city, not just our own relaxation.
One of the ways we want to do this is through think tanks - our time together in teams discussing, arguing, praying, brainstorming practical ideas, programs, initiatives that Vox can live out in this coming year.
For three sessions, Soong-Chan Rah (his blog), will serve as catalyst, immersing our community into Scripture. Following each of the sessions, we'll break the community into think tanks with a presentation at the end of the three days on how Vox can further impact our city.
On Saturday morning, Dan and Joanne Davis will lead us in a time of spiritual formation and solitude. We have set aside several hours for prayer, meditation and time alone to listen on behalf of our city and church.
Together, we will sniff out the Holy Spirit's stirring in these ideas. May our city be blessed as a result of this weekend.
(We have a handful of spots left still. If you are still interested, please contact Matt.)
One of the ways we want to do this is through think tanks - our time together in teams discussing, arguing, praying, brainstorming practical ideas, programs, initiatives that Vox can live out in this coming year.
For three sessions, Soong-Chan Rah (his blog), will serve as catalyst, immersing our community into Scripture. Following each of the sessions, we'll break the community into think tanks with a presentation at the end of the three days on how Vox can further impact our city.
On Saturday morning, Dan and Joanne Davis will lead us in a time of spiritual formation and solitude. We have set aside several hours for prayer, meditation and time alone to listen on behalf of our city and church.
Together, we will sniff out the Holy Spirit's stirring in these ideas. May our city be blessed as a result of this weekend.
(We have a handful of spots left still. If you are still interested, please contact Matt.)
