Welcome to Greenhouse Retreats. I think you’re gonna like it here!
Why Greenhouse Retreats?
Before and especially after COVID, there was an even more ubiquitous pandemic: exhaustion.
Many followers of Jesus have some awareness that there’s an offer from Him of an easy yoke, but how do we swap our burdens for His gift?
For folks in ministry it’s been a hot mess. Many of us got into ministry with great expectations: we loved Jesus, Scripture, and (most!) people.
Nobody wanted to burn out. Nobody wanted to fail the character test. That was a given. But it’s everywhere.
One thing that I’ve found helpful after over 25 years of following Jesus in ministry are consistent half or full day retreats—sometimes with others but mostly on my own. At my healthiest I’m retreating every four to six weeks.
Those retreats are an important part of greenhousing my soul. They’ve been especially helpful when someone else gives me structure and all I have to do is show up.
Enter Greenhouse Retreats: a monthly resource helping you to fight exhaustion by creating conditions ideal for growth.
Stay up-to-date: Subscribe!
On the first day of each month I’ll send out an email to subscribers with a ready-made suite of retreat materials: a half-day retreat for ministry leaders, a full-day retreat for ministry leaders, and a “for everyone” version that’s about a half day’s worth of material to do on your own.
Those materials be available here on the Substack page as well.
Consider that a nudge to get a retreat on the calendar at some point in the following four to six weeks. When your retreat day comes just print out your preferred retreat (optional but recommended), show up, open up, and be ready to meet the Lord. Use as much or as little of it as is helpful.
And it’s all free. I’m just trying to do what I can do to help stem the tide.
Let me know what helps you
I’m always open to feedback and input on what you’d like more of, what is or isn’t resonating with you, and any suggestions for other ways I can resource you. Feel free to leave a comment here.
Who Is This Guy?
I’ve been in ministry for over 25 years—sixteen with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship doing campus ministry and another ten as lead pastor with Chatham Community Church in central North Carolina.
I love building Christ-centered communities of human flourishing that leave life in their wake. And I love helping people create conditions ideal for spiritual growth.
I’m a husband to Kelly, dad of four teenage kids, a pastor, a Tar Heel fan, an Enneagram 3, a lover of Scripture, an occasional consultant and coach, and I love to dj weddings and other festive gigs. Oh, and I’m lactose intolerant, can’t forget that.
