Ministerial day retreat 2018
Posted: 03 Nov 2018
The Ministerial Retreat where the pastor and his family gather with all other pastoral families is typically held in the month of September each year. This year the Ministerial Department of the SVG Mission chose to use the format of a Day Retreat.
The retreat, in taking the pastor away from the rigors of the day to day pastoral ministry, enables ministers and their families to connect with one another. The chosen theme of this year’s gathering was, “Lord Transform Me and My Family to Build an Effective Ministry,” and was convened at Paradise Cottage in Spring, Biabou on 22nd September.
In attendance were all Administrators of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Mission of Adventists, pastors and families. Guest presenters were President, Caribbean Union Conference, Dr. Kern Tobias, the main presenter, and new Ministerial Secretary, Pastor Ammaran Williams who happens to have Vincentian roots. He is a son of Bequia.
The day provided a moment of refreshing and renewal for the pastoral family. As travelers in a dry and barren land who find an oasis, they were renewed and recharged to build a stronger, more effective ministry.
Many would wish to provide more respite for the pastor as he strives to fulfill his mission of advancing the Gospel story. We have identified the third sabbath of October as Pastor’s Appreciation Day. Churches can feel free to show appreciation to their pastor by recognizing their commitment to ministry and their service within to community.
One need not go to great lengths to show appreciation - a card, a general thank you from the congregation, or even a specially prepared lunch. And of course, one is not limited to express approval only within the month of October – any day of the year is a good time to appreciate the work that the pastor has been called out to do.
From the Ministerial Department we take the opportunity to thank all pastors for their hard work and pray that they all continues to allow God to use them effectively in the ministry to which He has called them.