Preparing Leaders for Reflection and Prayer Days and Short Retreats
U. S Session: May 13–22, 2009
In the U. S.: May 13-22, 2009 at White Oak Conference Center near Charlotte, NC
Lead Facilitator: Dr. Evelyn C. Davis, International Training Consultant
Worship Leaders, Topic Facilitators, and Prayer Coordinators will be announced
Thank you for your interest in the training that will prepare you to facilitate half or full days of reflection and prayer, and short retreats. The total time for the training is ten days. Arrival time is the first day by noon or early afternoon (our first session is at 3:30 p.m.). Departure is on the last day before noon (after the concluding evaluation and prayer session). Detailed information about the location is given below, and the application form is on page 3. Send your application to evelyn_davis@sil.org and contact her if you have any questions or comments.
Location: The White Oak Conference Center is approximately 1½ hours drive from the Charlotte airport, and
airport pickups and transportation to White Oak will be arranged. If you are a member of SIL or
Wycliffe, and want to be at our JAARS Center near Waxhaw for a period of time before the training,
we will arrange transportation from there as well (White Oak is an hour’s drive from JAARS).
If flying, you will need to arrange your flight to arrive in Charlotte by noon or earlier on Wednesday,
May 13, as we must arrive at White Oak in time for you to get settled in your room and ready for our
first session, which begins at 3:30 p.m. During the first afternoon, there will be introductions, sharing,
and an overview of the training. Our first meal is Wednesday evening, and we will have a time of
prayer and communion after dinner.
On our final morning, Friday, May 22, we will conclude with a time of evaluation, communion, and
prayer, and leave White Oak at approximately 11:00 a.m. Since it is a 1½ hour drive to the Charlotte
airport, be sure to arrange your flight home early-afternoon or later.
Schedule: Day One—Afternoon and Evening: We will begin at 3:30 p.m. with introductions, sharing, and an
overview of the sessions. After dinner that night we will have prayer and communion.
Day Two: Experience one of the reflection topics (listed on the overview on page 2).
Day Three: Work in a small group led by a staff member to experience (and then study and
prepare to present) one of the other reflection or retreat topics.
Days Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight: Each group presents the topic that they have prepared
(so that they will have an opportunity to practice how to use the topics later). Everyone
experiences each topic.
Day Nine: Teaching sessions designed to prepare you for praying with and for individuals and
groups when you return to your place of service.
Day Ten—Departure approx. 11:00 a.m.: Closing worship time, evaluation, sharing, and praying.
Other: Quality time will be allowed for you to peruse the books and other resources that will be available.
There will be a few evening activities, including an overview of how to lead prayer times, a fun
night, and sharing what God has done during your time of reflection and prayer. There will also be
opportunities for personal ministry and appointments with the prayer coordinators.
An Exciting Development: We now have an interactive website, and participants who take the R & P training
can make it into an R & P life-style! We will introduce the website during the training sessions, and
as participants return to their place of ministry, they will be able to share through this website how
God is using R & P in their own lives and, through them, in others’ lives. The website will also serve
as a prayer hub, and the place where all former R & P participants can access updated materials.
Cost: $675.00 for accommodations (double occupancy), meals, a notebook of the topics, copies of the
retreat manuals, and the basic resources. There is a daily surcharge of $16.00 for single occupancy,
and $75.00 of the above amount is required for registration. Because of a grant that has been
received, some financial assistance will be available if that is needed. Note additional details about
payment on the application form.
To Register: The number of participants is limited, and persons who attend must be recommended by their
branch or entity (if WBT/ SIL), or by their mission, church, or agency (if not WBT/SIL). Fill out the
application form (page 3), and return it electronically to evelyn_davis@sil.org. Please do not return
pages 1 and 2. Send your application as soon as possible, and note that March 14 is the final deadline.
Overview: Reflection and Prayer Days and Short Retreats
Evelyn C. Davis, Ed. D., Training Consultant, SIL International
The Topics for Reflection and Prayer Days
A half-day or full-day of reflection and prayer begins with worship and singing, then there is a brief overview of the topic the group has chosen. Handouts describe the topic, with Bible verses for reference, thought questions for application, articles, and a special Resources booklet. There is time for personal reflection and prayer, then the option of praying with someone else or continuing with individual reflection. There is a time of closure, with an opportunity to share.
. A Spiritual Inventory and Spiritual Markers
It is helpful to identify spiritual markers in our lives—times when we have encountered God’s call or his direction. Then when we face new options and/or decisions, we can review our spiritual markers to be reminded of the context of the activity of God in our lives—his perspective for our past, our present, and our future.
. Personal Worship
Individuals can use these guidelines (with scriptures) that focus on the following steps: worship; attentiveness; approach the throne; submit to God; confession and forgiveness; prayer for personal protection; guidance; special needs; petitions for yourself, family, friends, church, others; put on Christ and commit the day to him; walk in triumph, freedom, and safety.
. Finding A Rhythm of Rest
We struggle with trying to find time for a real ‘Sabbath’—a time to take our hands from the plow, let our work lay fallow, and let God and others take care of things. However, it is finding that balance point at which, having rested, we do our work with greater ease and joy, and bring healing and delight to our endeavors—for when we are refreshed we can give more generously to others. Jesus found special times to be with the Father, and to pray. May we follow his example.
. Life Tasks: Strength for the Journey
There are six life tasks that all adults encounter, with a different emphasis on each during the various decades of life. You will focus on the one(s) that you choose. The tasks are: The Self, Identity (who am I?); Relationships, Intimacy (who will be with me?); Work, Accomplishment (what will I do?); Health, Wholeness, Freedom (can I achieve balance?); Faith, Spiritual Vitality (will my journey be meaningful?); and Commitment, Contribution (can I make a difference?).
. Our Time of Need
What are you currently dealing with? Various points of need are listed (with related Bible verses) and there is space to add other needs. You will choose which area(s) to focus on, and pray about. Examples are: unmet needs; struggling with relinquishment; disappointments and discouragements; going through a barren time; health issues; family concerns; praying for a lost friend or a family member; carrying a heavy burden.
. Prayer Areas and Issues
This topic focuses on specific prayer areas and issues such as bearing fruit; Bible study and prayer; finances; future direction and decisions; health, home and family; relationships; rest and renewal; restoration of life and ministry; seeking the Lord’s power, strength, and wisdom; service; and submitting to him. There are related Bible verses, questions for reflection, and short readings.
. The Servant Leader (separate booklet)
Jesus demonstrated the fact that a leader is called to be a servant. The materials describe what leaders must do to follow Jesus’ example. First there must be a servant heart—leadership character; then a servant head—leadership methods; next servant hands—leadership behavior, and most important, servant habits—leadership commitment and renewal.
The Topics for Short Retreats
These short retreats can be offered to groups over a weekend, or in sessions over a period of several weeks.
. Life Passages and The Missionary Experience
How do our missionary experiences impact on the usual life passages? And how can we find the necessary joy and strength to sustain us? An overview of this retreat will be experienced on the same day the group focuses on the Reflection and Prayer topic Life Tasks. A set of guidelines for leading the retreat is included with the manual.
. New Testament Images of Adult Growth and Change
What can we discover about the adult learning process from Biblical images? They have important implications for ways we discover spiritual truth, and how our faith can develop and grow. The six images are New Wine, The Body, The Blowing Wind, The Yoke, The Grain of Wheat, and The Bread and Cup.
Overview of the Let’s Pray! Manual
The manual provides instruction in facilitating ministry prayer. The Bible lays a strong foundation for healing prayer, and there is a great need for healing in the church and in society. Steps to follow in the facilitation of ministry prayer are listed, with example prayers, worksheets, and other articles and resources to help prepare one to facilitate prayer both individually and in groups.
Application Form
Preparing Leaders for Reflection and Prayer Days and Short Retreats
May 13–22, 2009 at White Oak Conference Center
Return the application form electronically to evelyn_davis@sil.org (not pages 1 and 2). Please request the
persons sending references to forward those electronically.
General Information (use more space if needed)
Name ______________________________
Address ______________________________
Land Line phone __________________ Mobile phone _____________ Fax Number ______________________
If the session of your preference is full by the time we receive your application and references, are you interested
in attending in May, 2010? ________________________
Is a double room acceptable? _______Or do you prefer a single room? _______ ($16 daily surcharge for a single)
How Long a Member of Wycliffe/SIL? _______________ How Long Serving in Current Entity? ____________
If not Wycliffe/SIL, work with ______________________________
Current Job ______________________________
Describe your job responsibilities ______________________________
What do you like best about your current job?
What do you wish could be different? ______________________________
In what other places have you served? ______________________________
What job(s) did you have? ______________________________
Training Focus (use more space if needed)
What is your background in education and/or training (formal and/or informal course work, seminars, etc.)?
What is your background in teaching and/or the delivery of training? ______________________________
What interests you most in considering the possibility of attending the Reflection and Prayer/Retreat training?
______________________________
Could you use this training in your current position? ______________________________
If not in your current position, how do you envision that this training might be useful? _____________________
Are you willing to make a commitment to try to begin offering days of R & P after the training? ______________
The Reflection and Prayer Web Site
In view of the fact that most of the expenses for this training are covered by a scholarship fund, and that the vision for
the training is to get people engaged in a lifestyle of reflection and prayer and then to help others do this also, are you
willing to make an on-going commitment to interact with other participants on the reflection and prayer website?
__________. Note: Betsy Hopkins, a former participant and staff member, is the current coordinator of the site. If you
have any questions about this aspect of the R & P training, before answering the above question, do contact her at
betsy_hopkins@sil.org If you have limited computer or internet access, we can work with you in other ways to include
you in the on-going ministry of sharing R & P with other participants.
Any comments, questions, etc. ______________________________
Finances
If you are requesting financial assistance, please explain why and indicate how much is needed.
______________________________
List the name (and number) of the account that should be charged the $75.00 registration fee after your acceptance,
and also for any balance due after financial assistance is arranged ______________________________
If you are not a member of Wycliffe, please mail a check for the registration fee (made out to SIL International)
to Dr. Evelyn Davis, 18 Winding Poplar Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
References
Ask two persons to write a reference for you. At least one should be an administrator or supervisor at your work,
who expresses encouragement and support for your training in Reflection and Prayer, and who speaks to the issue
of how you could use this training in the future. Please list the individuals that you are requesting to send the
references, and ask them to send them electronically to evelyn_davis@sil.org.
Name ______________________________
Name ______________________________
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