I have spent numerous Friday nights at our front desk to watch groups check-in, one of the first concerns of arriving guests is where am I going to sleep? where to I take my stuff? who's going to be my roommate? I have watched several processes, some are very organized and work well. Others create massive problems that distract people from the purpose of the event...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

This is a topic that really scares me to bring up. Short term events tend to go very well or very bad, there is rarely middle ground. It is a great solution to cover an urgent need or to follow up on the recent stir that God has created within your church. But should be followed up with a long-term vision for the future of the event, be it an annual, semi-annual, or bi-annual offering. There are some ways to minimize the risks associated with short term planning. Here are a few thoughts regarding when to plan on the short term, some benefits, and essential strategies...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Fall may seem like a  long way off, especially considering that we have barley entered May but time flies when you're having fun... Fall events present some unique challenges for planners because of summer break. As different members of your planning team are on vacation that can limit the opportunities you have for team meetings. And often your ministries take a break in the summer time so getting the word out to your potential attendees may take a hit. All of these challenges are easy to overcome, the approach simply needs to be adjusted for the situation. You can create some great ministry opportunities for your church...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

The team at Midwest Christian Retreats has assembled our best ideas for recreation activities! We have assembled these as we have helped planners facilitate these activities and as we have watched adults, families, and youth play on a beautiful summer day while we are stuck in the office working... We hope you'll find this guide helpful in planning a balanced schedule that utilizes recreation as a relationship builder, a memory builder, and tool to engage your attendees...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Recreation is a natural topic to think about when planning an event for students. The weather this week has been distractingly beautiful - spring makes sitting in a chair excruciating! Regardless of the season including activities in your retreat is especially important for young people. Just as we discussed in our entry about planning schedules last Tuesday, start with your event goals and evaluate how each activity (be a worship service or gym sport) will contribute to your event's success. It's likely your goals are going to direct many of the event's financial resources to support things like worship services and small group materials forcing you to be creative with planning recreation activities...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Many event planners have pretty lofty goals of what they would like to accomplish. Often we simplify our goals down to a weekend of discipleship and fellowship. Either goal by itself takes time to accomplish - discipleship requires time for teaching, study, and q&a. Where as fellowship that is anything more than superficial acquaintance making needs group activities, unique experiences like team building, and free time. Add in a service project, time to eat, sleep, and clean-up, and any travel time and your weekend is JAM Packed! I have a couple thoughts on organizing your event schedule...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Who can answer that kind of question out of the blue? Who can locate a lost shoe among a beach full of them, or comfort a scared camper in a rainstorm? Who, besides a camp counselor, can mend a broken relationship as well as a hole in a pair of pants? Or cure homesickness by playing a silly game or leading a sing-along? Who will help campers create a beautiful picture out of dried leaves, sticks and glue...     Continue Reading | View Comments (1)

In a recent blog, Zach offered some excellent suggestions for planners preparing for Day of Arrival emphasizing the importance of first impressions. But remember, last impressions can also leave lasting impressions on guests. Preparing your guests to return home and their everyday lives requires you to create a smooth check-out process. The memory you want your guests to keep is the time they had connecting with God, the spiritual energy and excitement, not a frustration over something trivial...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Taking the show on the road can be a difficult balancing act. Between creating a unique worship/learning environment and what is feasible for your team to pull off... between space and time limitations... between selecting a set-up that is engaging but not distracting. The list could continue...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

One of the best parts of going on retreat is recreation time. When I look at my schedule and my day, week, or month is jam packed the first thing that gets removed from the schedule is free time. Not that it is likely that any of us has ever told someone that I can't make a meeting because I scheduled some free time? But on retreat there is time purposely set aside for recreation activities...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Last week I shared in my Bolivia post that one of the things I was looking forward to most was a meal with the Kittleson's. During these meals that work and things to do are forgotten for a time and we can just share stories, laugh until we cry, and the come away from the table a stronger community. I think the same can be said for meals shared at events and your church...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

This time of year as we transition to close one chapter and start a new one its natural to begin to think about goals and what you'd like to see accomplished in the coming year. Often people start with the big picture then zoom in on specific areas. This works great, I do the same thing. However I have noticed that as the year goes on and I get into pinch points there are some areas that I never zoom-in on I only do the quick fly-by...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment