Reflections on the Ministry Enrichment Retreat

For those who were able to make it, the recent MER provided a time for relaxation, spiritual refreshment, generating new ideas, and mingling with colleagues from across North America. Evaluations of MER were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to make connections with others, for Hans Finzel’s practical presentations, and for the time they had to focus on worship. Comments included:

"Thanks for a wonderful retreat that included both content and time to relax and refresh."
"The books and the slinkies were the icing on the cake."
"Worship was refreshing."
"Thanks for inviting the missionaries."
"Lots of good things happen during meals and snack time, including sharing joys and concerns with others."
"We enjoyed getting to meet other BIC leaders. "
"Jesus was here. "
"We were treated like the royal children we are. Many thanks."
"This was my first conference and I look forward to more."
"This is an important retreat time. "

The good experience at this year’s MER motivated a discussion about finding ways to enable more pastoral couples to attend MER in the future, particularly our bi-vocational pastors and those serving in smaller congregations. This year at least one congregation reached out to a neighbor church, helping to underwrite the cost of the pastor’s participation in MER and another pastor’s registration and travel costs were provided by a special gift from an individual in his congregation. Using these as inspirations for future plans, we will look for ways at all levels of the denomination to continue to build on and encourage this kind of enabling generosity.

As we pray and work for continued growth within the North American BIC Church, it is crucial that we make participation in gatherings such as MER a high priority. This quadrennial event is part of the “glue” that helps bind together our increasingly diverse network of churches and ministry leaders.

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