What is a soul care retreat?
What is the state of your soul? And we don't mean saved vs. unsaved! We mean, how are you really doing at a soul level? Is your
soul weary, energetic, depleted, vibrant, dry, distracted, or battered? Most likely your soul — similar to so many other
leaders in church and parachurch ministry settings — is the most neglected aspect of your life! There are so many options
to fill our days and we are running fast, working hard, addicted to noise and activity, and as a result we rarely stop to even
consider the state of our soul — or how those around us are doing at a heart and soul level. Centered around three core
spiritual disciplines of contemplative bible reading, prayer, and reflection, the purpose of a soul care retreat is to tend to
and declutter our internal space.
You've probably heard of taking a "mental health day' to renew the body and slow down the whirlwind of the mind. On retreat we
invite you to take a "soul health day" specifically designed to renew your soul. Brief segments of the day are spent
introducing you to spiritual formation topics and practices — but the emphasis of the day is on giving you time to "unplug"
from technology, step off the treadmill of activity, and let your soul slow down, decompress, and enjoy some wide open space
with God.
There are large blocks of time dedicated to silence, solitude, prayer, contemplation, and reflection. Find a quiet corner
somewhere or, if the weather permits, stretch out under a tree outside where you can breathe deeply, think slowly, pray openly,
and ponder the Word from a relaxed "less is more" approach. Step out of your busy life for a day and pursue refreshment and
renewal for your soul. You'll be glad you did.
Want Us to facilitate Your Next Retreat?
Have we piqued your interest? It's amazing how God moves in a group when we commit to "waste a day" together doing nothing
but resting and listening for His voice — both for what he has to say to us individually and also how he would speak
into the life of our collective team. We've flown all over the world to facilitate these retreats for groups/teams both large
and small. Contact us for pricing. We offer day long and overnight retreat formats.
Endorsement from the CEO of ECCU
Do-It-Yourself Resources
Interested in getting away for a day on silent retreat but don't know what to do or how to structure the time? Check out these downloadable retreat resources that will help you make the most of a half-day or full-day retreat on your own or with your team.
Soul Sabbaths
Soul Sabbaths are one-day silent retreats for prayer, reflection and Sabbath rest facilitated by LTi staff and with local spiritual directors. Currently offered 4 times each semester to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary students through the ministry of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell.
"Soul Care day allows me to recalibrate my heart to incline it to Christ, my ears to hear the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice and my mind to attend to the Father. The
set-apart time to rest, rejoice and refresh with the Lover of my soul has been a tremendous blessing to me. Thank you so much, Steve and Rick, for your gentle nudging to guide my day.
"
Trish Marston
Evangelical Christian Credit Union, Brea, CA
"The LTi Soul Care Retreat came at a vital time in my life and ministry. I was questioning my long-term calling as a Senior Pastor of my church and my wife had
just come through 10 months of intense medical treatments for life-threatening cancer. The time at the retreat and my talks with Steve were used by God to reaffirm my calling and to help
me understand the strain of what I had been going through with my wife’s cancer.
"
Brian Kluth
Generosity Minister-at-Large
Author of "40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life"
-- Matthew 11: 28-30, (The Message)
