This update is from GCI Pastor Doug Johannsen who attended the retreat reported on below.
As we grow together in understanding and appreciating the relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we find the Trinity moving us to see the importance of growing together as a group. This realization motivated some of us to attend the “Spiritual Discernment Retreat” conducted recently in Farmington, MN, by the Odyssey in Christ ministry. The retreat focused on helping groups practice life rhythms that lead to improved spiritual discernment as a community. The approach taken was in line with Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi:
This is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:9-11)
Practical applications shared at the retreat included sessions on presence, silence and solitude, ways of life discernment, decision-making, discerning God and self, environmental discernment, group discernment practices and creative expressions.
The retreat was followed by a worship service and meal shared by all four GCI congregations in the Twin Cities, MN, area. Dr. Larry Hinkle, Odyssey in Christ Director, gave the sermon titled, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”.
