Spiritual Enrichment Weekend
Encourage members of your congregation to participate a spiritual renewal/growth experience. Through these Christ-centered experiences persons become "revived" in their own spirits and deepen their walk with Christ, along with being challenged to serve and minister. Youth weekends are also available.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | Church members join other pilgrims on a 72-hour retreat that begins Thursday evening and ends Sunday evening. |
| Weekends for men and women are held separately, but usually within a few weeks apart. Married persons are asked to make an equal commitment to participate so they can share the experience afterwards. |
| Only 30-40 people participate at a time. |
| The event is led by a team of laity and clergy who have participated before and who prepare carefully to offer a quality event. |
| The experience revolves around 15 talks which are discussed by participants. The talks focus on God's grace and on important aspects of living in God's grace as disciples today. |
| The experience is enriched by special times of worship, daily celebrations of communion, and the prayers and "sacrifices" of a living support community. |
| One of the strengths of these retreats is follow-up. To nurture the discipleship process, participants are encouraged to join together with 3 to 6 persons in small groups which meet weekly for reflection and mutual encouragement. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO......consult the web sites below for more detailed information. |
| DO......remember that these experiences are unlike most retreats and programs because they are not a one-time event offered for a single congregation. Rather, are held several times each year in a community/regional area for persons from various congregations. |
| DO......remember these events are not limited to persons from a single denomination. |
| DO......remember that they are not designed as an evangelism outreach tool. Rather, they are for the spiritual formation of those persons who are already member of the body of Christ. |
RESOURCES NEEDED: None
COST: Minimal, modest registration fee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
There are several denominational expressions including the following:
| Brethren Way of Christ (an Anabaptist expression in Indiana) |
| Way of Christ (an Anabaptist expression in Illinois) |
| Walk to Emmaus® |
| Via de Cristo |
| Tres Dias |
| Cursillo |
Also check these links to regional communities of many of these expressions.
Youth expressions are also available:
| FaithQuest (youth expression of Brethren Way of Christ) |
| Chrysalis® (youth expression of the Walk to Emmaus®) |
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