“Surprisingly, ministry doesn’t give you much time to be available to the Lord.”

Allen Macartney
Special to Spur Ottawa

Ryan Dawson puts a high priority on personal retreats. As the lead pastor at Sequoia Church, he knows how easily the busyness of ministry can wear good leaders down. Without being intentional about rest, the principle of Sabbath can easily be lost in the weekend stress of running a Sunday service.

“It’s easy to feel frayed in the midst of the pressures of ministry,” Dawson states. “A personal retreat is extremely helpful, especially as we live in such a busy, push-pull world.”

Dawson’s retreats are far from the stereotype Canadian idea of a vacation. Last summer Dawson spent several days at the Genesee Abbey, south of Rochester, New York.

“Each morning I take time for extended devotional reading, prayer, and meditation.”

“Here you can spend the days enjoying the peaceful rhythms of the five prayer services with the Trappist monks. You can even work on their farm if you want. Spiritual direction is also available. I take time to rest. Each morning of my personal retreat I take time for extended devotional reading, prayer, and meditation. Another priority is spending time in nature and enjoying a trail run.”

Dawson says exercise helps him think clearly and hear the Lord better, but he also likes to simply sit on a bench or chair, enjoying God’s presence.

How often does he plan a personal retreat?

“Not often enough,” Dawson admits. “But I make sure to take a multi-day retreat at least once a year. A one-day retreat each quarter would be ideal.”

Personal retreats are not just an introvert’s way of sustaining through busy ministry schedules; Dawson says they are vital for all pastors. Denise Allen-Macartney (minister at Gloucester Presbyterian Church) agrees.

“It’s essential for pastors, including new ones, to establish rhythms of healthy spiritual disciplines.”

“Surprisingly, ministry doesn’t give you much time to be available to the Lord. Time alone with God often seems a luxury, yet it’s absolutely vital.”

She almost always begins her work day with dedicated scripture reading, as well as prayer for members of the congregation and personal prayer. It is time to anchor her heart in Jesus, but she also plans regular personal retreats.

“In the past year I’ve taken two or three personal retreats. An entire day is best, though a half a day is better than nothing,” she says. Taking a personal retreat at home is okay, but “it’s very easy to be distracted, so they aren’t as effective.”

Last spring Allen-Macartney planned a one-day retreat at Bethesda Retreat Centre (just outside Stittsville).

“Bethesda has trails through a forest, so you’re not going to get lost or be too far away from the Centre. It also has places along the way to sit down and pray. I love spending time there reading, praying, journaling, walking in nature, and just seeking the Lord’s face in silence. It’s really invigorating.”

In addition to encouragement and renewal, Allen-Macartney says personal retreats carve out opportunities for God to speak to you and prepare you for what He wants to do in the next season.

“It’s essential for pastors, including new ones, to establish rhythms of healthy spiritual disciplines,” Allen-Macartney says. A regular personal retreat achieves exactly that. It helps re-balance perspectives.