seek feedback with this in mind: "What do we need to adjust about our future events to increase the ministry impact of the event?"
Over the last week or two I have had a couple moments where, looking back I think, "wait a second, what just happened? It's August? I thought it was May..."
I live my life in the fast lane - I joke that I have one speed. In the summer time it especially feels like there is only one speed. Maybe two: fast and then faster. I can go in the fast lane for so long but if I go too long, I feel like a freight train going down a hill with a sharp turn ahead. The whole train may not derail, but something is bound to get off-track. If you coordinate a summer event or summer events,then you're ready for a breather right about now. Some time to put on the breaks, take a few deep breaths, and to reflect on everything that happened.
For myself, I need to jump out of that fast lane every so often. Last weekend, it was taking the retreat with the guys and diving into the word. It was adrenaline for my relationship with God. Don't get me wrong - it's not all a walk in the park on a beautiful day with a high of 72 and a light breeze. I like things to be in order and running well while finding means to make imporvements. Sounds great, right? But I've also learned (sometimes the hard way) that I have to balance out all that structure that I want to build into my life and let God do His thing. I can't plan out the Holy Spirit. If I stay in the fast lane 24/7, then I don't have a chance to let the Holy Spirit lead me. Times like I had with the guys on our retreat recently help keep me balanced.
We'd do well to bring the same approach to evaluating your event...
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 Our team has recognized lately that churches are focusing their efforts toward Family Ministry throughout the regions served by Midwest Christian Retreat properties. Last week, I made my first trip to Michigan to visit Lost Valley Retreat Center and Faholo Conference Center where both facilities were hosting Family Events. What an amazing experience to see the intergenerational activities ranging from bicycling, riding go-carts, worshipping, swimming, and dining together.
 You've got a great idea for an event... So, when do you need to start formally planning the event? That's definitely a loaded question, I'll answer with "it depends."
It depends how accessible potential attendees are to actually show up and participate in your event. A small group that meets weekly that wants to have a family retreat with the ten families in their group can plan on a much shorter term than a convention that needs to the interest of church leaders who then need to draw the interest of church members.
Written by Jeffery Gosnell
The properties at Midwest Christian Retreats provide a wide range of unstructured, recreational activities. However, as any experienced youth leader knows, summer camp cannot rest entirely on free time. Adding some structure to your recreation time enables you to meet some event goals: (developing friendships, spiritual learning, etc.).
That question is like nails on a chalk board. Here's my approach, if someone looks like they have a case of the Mondays, they probably do, so why would I ever ask? That's like asking if fire is hot and then putting your hand in to check... Over the top? YES, but I am ok with it.
The approach of camp season can be a stressful time, there are many thing that still need to be accomplished and the clock is ticking away. Before we get too carried away with the to-do lists can we encourage each other? You can't hide from the mounting to-do's, but you have to take a break from them... This is a hard pill for me to swallow. Over the weekend, I was cleaning my house up and I came across some notes from a Bible study I was in a couple years ago. Throughout the creation story from Genesis 1 & 2, it repeats the same phrase: "it was good." Take a look with me: Verse 4 - "God saw that the light was good", Verse 9 - "And God saw that it was good", Verse 12 - "And God saw that it was good", Verse 18 - "And God saw that it was good", Verse 21 - "And God saw that it was good", Verse 26 - "And God saw that it was good", and in Verse 31 - "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Each day God looked back on what was accomplished and saw it was good. How cool?
Let the fun begin! All of the locations in the Midwest Christian Retreats network have beachfronts you can enjoy with fun activities such as water slides, the blob, zip line, boating, and swimming. There is no better way to cool down on hot day during a retreat than a trip to the beach!
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