The mission of CTA is that lift up and encourage the body ...€¦ · that lift up and encourage the body of Christ ... staff, elder/deacon boards, Sunday school or Christian day

A retreat for church staff and volunteers

The mission of CTA isto glorify God by providing purposeful productsthat lift up and encourage the body of Christ—

because we love him!

Making an Eternal DifferenceA How-To Booklet for Retreat Planners

by Jane L. Fryar

Copyright © 2016 CTA, Inc. 1625 Larkin Williams Rd.

Fenton, MO 63026www.CTAinc.com

Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If this retreat planner proves to be helpful to you, we would like to hear from you. Your words will encourage us! If you have suggestions for us to consider as we create ministry helps like this in the future, please send those, too. You can reach us at:

Editorial Manager, Department MKD6DRCTA, Inc.PO Box 1205Fenton, MO 63026-1205

or by e-mail at [email protected]. Please include the subject line: MKD6DR.

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ContentsGetting Started ................................................................................................................................4

Suggested Schedule ...................................................................................................................5

Opening Worship and Prayer Time ................................................................................6

Leader Notes

Session 1: Jesus Calls ...............................................................................................................................8

Session 2: Jesus Equips Me for Service .............................................................................................8

Session 3: Serving in Christ’s Strength ..............................................................................................9

Session 4: God’s Promises for You .................................................................................................... 10

Session 5: Eternal Promises for Those who Serve ...................................................................... 10

Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry (optional) .............................................. 11

Participant Handouts

Session 1: Jesus Calls ............................................................................................................................ 13

Session 2: Jesus Equips Me for Service .......................................................................................... 15

Session 3: Serving in Christ’s Strength ........................................................................................... 17

Session 4: God’s Promises for You .................................................................................................... 19

Session 5: Eternal Promises for Those who Serve ...................................................................... 21

Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry (optional) .............................................. 23

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Getting StartedThis guide will help you plan a simple, one-day retreat for any staff or volunteer servant group in your congregation or Christian organization. It will take between five and seven hours to present. It can be shortened or expanded to fit your needs. See the suggested schedule and ideas for adapting it on page 5.

The retreat is based on the book Making an Eternal Difference (Item #MKD6SC), which you can order by calling 1-800-999-1874 or going to www.CTAinc.com and typing the title in the search box. Each participant will need a copy of this book. As a treat for your participants, consider the added value of the book packaged with the pen (Item #MKD6GS) for use during the retreat and as a reminder of the overarching theme and its encouragement after the retreat concludes.

While intended for groups from 8 to 30 participants, the materials in this retreat guide can be adapted for a larger or smaller number of people. Church councils, professional ministry staff, elder/deacon boards, Sunday school or Christian day school teams, and a variety of other groups in the congregation will benefit from participating in this retreat.

Retreat Goals

Under the Holy Spirit’s blessing, participants will

• review the eternal difference Jesus has made in their own lives and his calling to help make an eternal difference in the lives of others;

• renew their commitment to that calling with confident joy;

• see the results of their efforts through the lens of eternity;

• (optional) set specific goals for the upcoming year of ministry; and

• support and encourage each other in their mutual service.

Details, Details

If you and your group are new to retreat planning, many helpful guidebooks will walk you through the details. Visit your local Christian bookstore or log on to your favorite online bookseller and type “Christian retreat planning” in the search engine.

On the other hand, if you have participated in a few retreats or have planned them previously, you will probably be able to think through the accommodations aspect of the retreat on your own.

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In either case, someone will need to arrange for these amenities:

• Reservations at a suitable location (for example, a retreat center, motel meeting room, lakeside cabin, or, if you have no other options, your church fellowship hall);

• Prayer for leaders and participants before, during, and after the retreat;

• Transportation to the location, if appropriate;

• Hospitality, including setting up tables, chairs, and other necessary services—note that round tables would best facilitate the small-group discussions outlined below;

• Assembling and distributing goodie bags (for gift items, go to www.CTAinc.com and type “Making an Eternal Difference” in the search box)—consider including the computer screen cleaner (Item #MKD6CEW), ceramic mug (Item #MKD6CMB) or insulated tumbler (Item#MKD6APT), and perhaps some homemade cookies. If your budget will allow, consider packaging it all in a themed tote bag (Item #MKD6TB);

• Developing and posting any necessary signage;

• Welcoming participants and creating “welcome packets” that include the retreat schedule, pen(s), paper, appropriate contact phone numbers (as necessary), information about the retreat center, and other necessary “housekeeping details”;

• Meals and snacks;

• Inviting the appropriate participants; and

• Program, including coordination of a presenter or facilitator and plans for worship and music.

As you think about leadership responsibilities, consider engaging an outside presenter, especially if you intend to use the retreat as part of your yearly planning process. That way, church staff and volunteers can all more fully participate.

You will also need one local go-to person who is willing to coordinate the details listed above and answer questions as they arise from potential registrants.

Suggested Schedule

This retreat guide assumes the schedule below. By adjusting the schedule a bit, you may shorten or lengthen the retreat to meet the needs of your group.

To extend it, plan to include a “getting acquainted” activity or icebreaker as the day begins. (If you need ideas for these, search for “Christian icebreakers” online.) If you plan an overnight stay at the retreat site, schedule the ice-breaker and some extended worship time after all (or most) participants have arrived.

To shorten the schedule, omit one or more of the sessions or allow only 30–45 minutes for lunch.

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If time allows and your getaway purpose includes yearly planning, you may want to use the optional session, “Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry.” Depending on the scope of the planning you intend to do, this session can take from one to three hours or more. It will probably fit best between Sessions 4 and 5. Adjust the schedule below to accommodate this. If you decide to omit one of the other sessions to make time for strategic planning, consider working through Session 4 in some other setting after the retreat or leave it out altogether.

Saturday Morning

8:15 Continental Breakfast

9:00 Opening Worship and Prayer Time

9:20 Session 1: Jesus Calls

10:10 Break

10:40 Session 2: Jesus Equips Me for Service

11:45 Lunch

Saturday Afternoon

1:00 Session 3: Serving in Christ’s Strength

2:00 Session 4: God’s Promises for You

2:45 Break

3:00 Session 5: Eternal Promises for Those who Serve

3:30 Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry (optional)

5:00 Departure

Opening Worship and Prayer TimeLarge-group session—15–20 minutes

Read the Ministry Message “Making an Eternal Difference” found at www.CTAinc.com/FreeResources or adapt the content to your purpose and present it.

If you intend to present mementos of the retreat to participants, this would be a good time to distribute them. For example, in addition to the devotion book Making an Eternal

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Difference, which each participant will need, you may want to give other items from CTA’s Making an Eternal Difference line. See your CTA catalog or visit the CTA website at www.CTAinc.com for details. Type “Making an Eternal Difference” in the search box.

Laminated Tote Bag(MKD6TB)

Silicone Cell Phone Stand(MKD6DK)

Magnetic Clip w/Prayer Card(MKD6DMT)

Acrylic Tumbler with Straw(MKD6APT)

Ceramic Mug with Gift Box(MKD6CMB)

Pen and Bookmark Gift Set(MKD6ST)

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Leader Notes Session 1: Jesus Calls 45–50 minutes

The discussion guide for this session is printed on pages 13–14 of this guide. You will need to duplicate one copy for each participant present.

Unless you have preassigned small groups, participants will need to form them (four to six individuals in each group). Be on the lookout for participants who seem unconnected to others. Introduce them to peers they may not know and with whom they have something in common—personally, professionally, or in their service for the church. Do what you can to help everyone fit into an appropriate group.

Then distribute the discussion guides for this session. Make sure each group has roughly the same number of people. Explain that the groups will have 45–50 minutes to complete this activity.

Have each group choose a discussion leader and explain that this person will guide the group through the questions, keeping track of the time. Other group members are responsible for listening carefully to one another’s comments and adding thoughtful, helpful responses themselves. Stress that this “leader” is not the “teacher” but someone to keep the group moving along through the material.

When about five minutes of the session remains, announce this for the benefit of all the groups. When time has fully expired, call for everyone’s attention; ask for insights, comments, or questions; and respond appropriately.

As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. John 20:21

Leader Notes Session 2: Jesus Equips Me for Service 45–50 minutes

The discussion guide handout for this session is found on pages 15–16. Duplicate copies of this guide, one for each participant.

Participants will work in the same small groups throughout the retreat, so if you’ve taken a break, ask that everyone rejoin her group.

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Distribute the handout for this session. Explain that the groups will have 45–50 minutes for this activity.

Encourage group facilitators to keep track of time and keep discussion moving along as per the “time budget” indicated on the discussion sheet. Remind everyone that the other group members are responsible for listening carefully to one another’s comments and adding thoughtful, helpful responses themselves.

Note: Encourage groups to share the facilitator role, changing leadership from session to session. That way, everyone can more fully participate and, we hope, derive maximum benefit from your time together.

When about five minutes remain, call everyone’s attention to that fact. Then, when time has fully expired, call for everyone’s attention. Ask for insights, comments, or questions. Respond appropriately.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Leader Notes Session 3: Serving in Christ’s Strength 50–60 minutes

The discussion guide handout for this session is found on pages 17–18. Distribute one copy to each participant.

Have each group identify a facilitator for this session and remind group members to listen carefully to one another’s comments, adding thoughtful, helpful responses themselves. Facilitators are not “teachers.” Rather, they are to keep discussion moving along as per the “time budget” indicated on the discussion sheet. They should invite everyone to add thoughts and comments as time will allow.

Note that the first part of the session is designed for small-group work; the last 20–30 minutes are set aside as an opportunity for participants to read, think, and pray individually. You might invite participants to find a comfortable place to do that somewhere in the building or on the retreat grounds where they can work through the material more privately. Set a time at which you want them to return and let them dismiss themselves when the small-group portion of the activity is finished.

When about five minutes remain, call everyone’s attention to that fact. Then, when the individual prayer time seems to be completed, call for the group’s attention. Ask for insights, comments, or questions. Respond appropriately.

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May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:11–12

Leader Notes Session 4: God’s Promises for You 45–50 minutes

The discussion guide handout for this session is found on pages 19–20. Distribute one copy to each participant.

As before, have each group identify a facilitator for this session and remind group members to listen carefully to one another’s comments, adding thoughtful, helpful responses themselves. Facilitators are to keep discussion moving along as per the “time budget” indicated on the discussion sheet.

The word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

Leader Notes Session 5: Eternal Promises for Those Who Serve Small-group session—30 minutes

Proceed as in previous sessions, distributing one copy of the discussion guide handout from pages 21–22 to each participant.

Then, as this session ends, sing a hymn or song of thanksgiving to God as a wrap-up for the entire retreat experience. If a pastoral leader is present and wishes to speak a blessing over the group, by all means take advantage of this!

Through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day. 1 Peter 1:5 NLT

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Leader Notes Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry (optional)

Depending on what you want to accomplish, this session can take from one to three hours or more.

Before the Retreat

Think and plan carefully for this session. Unless you lay a careful foundation ahead of time, the strategic planning portion of any retreat will be the least satisfactory part of the event. With some advance planning, however, a retreat setting can prove one of the best ways to evaluate various strategic options, choose one, and begin its implementation. Here are some steps you can take to heighten the value of this session:

1. A week or two before the retreat, give each participant a copy of the goals you hope to achieve. (For example, “We will develop a vision for our shut-in ministry efforts, plan training activities for those who serve our shut-ins, and make assignments to individuals based on our plans.”) Or, if you want to involve participants in shaping the goals for the planning session itself, in your pre-retreat publicity ask participants to “bring along the one or two big issues you want us to address in your area of responsibility.”

2. As you open this session at the retreat, review what you hope to accomplish, outline the steps you will take as you address the day’s goals, and then follow your plan. Write each step on poster paper or on a whiteboard and post it in plain sight. If the group gets off-track during the conversation, draw them back by pointing to the poster and inviting everyone to refocus.

3. Make sure each individual will leave the retreat with specific assignments, deadlines, and a reporting or other accountability process. (Note: intermediate checkpoints along the way will keep longer-term, more ambitious projects moving ahead.)

4. Before you print out the worksheet for this session (pages 23–25), adapt it to meet your group’s needs and goals.

During the Session

Depending upon the size of your group and your purpose for this activity, decide whether to work in small groups or as a “committee of the whole.” Let form follow function as you make this decision.

If you have six to twelve participants and everyone will work together to make plans for the same purpose (for example, this year’s approach to youth ministry or cementing in place a long-term vision for the congregation), you will likely want to work together.

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If the group is larger or if various interests are represented (for example, leaders from your children’s ministry, members of the elder/deacon board, people involved in community outreach, and those who carry out shut-in ministry), you will likely want to form small groups based on ministry focus.

1. To begin, rehearse the goal(s) you have set and shared ahead of time. Answer any questions and allow participants to suggest ways to strengthen the goal(s) you have set.

If you haven’t already shared a preexisting goal, work with the group to brainstorm an appropriate goal for the time allotted.

2. Next, work your way through the handout you have adapted from the sample for Session 6 (pages 23–25).

3. When about 15 minutes remain, ask that the group divide the tasks and set deadlines for each task. Be sure everyone who receives an assignment knows when and how to report progress. Larger tasks should include intermediate checkpoints and deadlines.

4. As you close this part of the retreat, flow as seamlessly as possible into Session 5, Eternal Promises for Those who Serve.

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Session 1: Jesus Calls

As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

John 20:21

1. (5 minutes) Many people screen their calls. They answer the phone only if they really want to talk to the person who is calling them.

• In the space below, list the names of 5–10 people whose calls you would take without hesitation.

• Read your list to the others in your group.

• Based on your lists, create a general rule to describe the people who appear on your group’s “DO Call” list.

• Is it something in the caller or in you that makes you decide to answer or ignore a call? Explain.

2. (20 minutes) Now listen as someone from your group reads “When Jesus Calls” from pages 4–5 in Making an Eternal Difference.

• In the space below, list several tasks you perform as a volunteer or staff member at your church.

Participant Handout

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• Put a + (plus) beside one or two of these you feel most confident about doing. Put a – (minus) next to the one or two you perform least confidently. (You will NOT be asked to share these.)

• In what ways are you like the little girl in the devotion you just heard? In what ways do you identify with the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:9–10?

• Tell about a time when you realized in a more powerful way that God has “poured out his special favor” on you.

• How can that favor give you confidence in all your service?

3. (15 minutes) On your own, read through “A Unique Calling” from pages 7–8 in Making an Eternal Difference. Or listen as a volunteer from your group reads it aloud.

• As you read (or listen) jot down three or four key ideas the author shares.

• When everyone has finished, ask each group member to read the list he or she just created. Read every item, even if it repeats what someone else has already read. Don’t comment yet. Just listen to one another’s lists. Which ideas were repeated several times? Why might this be?

• Which ideas would you especially like to remember as you serve alongside other believers in your church?

4. (5 minutes) Read the Scriptures and quotations on pages 12–13 in Making an Eternal Difference. Which words here most encourage you in your calling to serve Christ by serving his people? Explain.

Closing: Pray the prayer on page 14 together. Or pair up and pray for your partner; base your prayer on the discussion you just finished.

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© 2016 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale.

Session 1, Continued . . .

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Session 2: Jesus Equips Me for Service

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion

at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

1. (5 minutes) Tell about a time you tried to do something without the proper equipment. Perhaps you tried to drive a nail with a screwdriver or cut the whole lawn with a weed eater.

• Did you give up or persist until the job was done? Why?

• What was your top emotion as you finished the task?

2. (15–20 minutes) Listen as a volunteer in your group reads the directions on page 18, “Equipped to Serve by God’s Word” in Making an Eternal Difference.

• Instead of writing out your answer, think about it. Then take turns sharing responses in your group. (Be sure to maintain the confidentiality of the person or people you serve.)

• Based on the stories you just heard from your colleagues and your own experiences, how would you say the Word of God equips the servants of God to help the people of God?

• Have you ever tried to serve Jesus’ people using the wrong “equipment”? In other words, think about a time you tried the spiritual equivalent of driving a nail with a screwdriver. If you can do so comfortably, tell about it. What did you learn from that experience?

3. (10 minutes) God’s Word equips all of us as God’s servants for the work he gives us. Our Lord also equips us by endowing us with a unique mix of personal interests, experiences, spiritual gifts, and natural talents.

• Have someone from your group read aloud “Gifted for Service” from pages 19–20 in Making an Eternal Difference. What does “making an eternal difference” mean to you?

Participant Handout

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• Do you find that thought encouraging, frightening, ridiculous, or something else? Explain.

• If you are gifted for your ministry and committed to it, does that mean boredom, frustration and tedium will never plague you as you serve? Explain.

4. (10 minutes) Conclude this session by talking with a partner about the questions in “God’s Calling, My Life’s Work” (page 21 in Making an Eternal Difference).

Closing: Pray with and for your group. Adapt the prayer on page 26 or pray extemporaneously, lifting up to Jesus the needs and the thanksgiving you each expressed in your conversation just now.




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Session 3: Serving in Christ’s Strength

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might,

for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father,

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance

of the saints in light. Colossians 1:11–12

1. (5 minutes) In what way(s) are the following things and people strong? What other examples of strength could you add to this list?

A marathon runner A Marine graduating from boot camp

A three-time cancer survivor Gorilla Glue

The vault at your bank The Mississippi River, swollen with spring runoff

An emeritus pastor A children’s Sunday school teacher

2. (10 minutes) Listen as a volunteer from your group reads aloud “A Life of Enduring Service” from pages 31–32 in Making an Eternal Difference.

• What kinds of strength did the prophet Jeremiah show? Why did he need that strength?

• The devotion you just heard outlines three sources of strength from which Jeremiah drew. Name them.

• How can we draw on these same sources of strength for our service today? Give specific examples.

Participant Handout

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3. (5 minutes) As the devotion suggests, Jeremiah’s name may have meant “the Lord throws.” Like us, Jeremiah was not always the Lord’s most eager servant. He did not always “serve the LORD with gladness” (Psalm 100:2). He sometimes grew discouraged. He spewed out prayers of complaint. Still, God did not give up on his problematic prophet. He forgave Jeremiah in the cross of the Savior who was to come. You and I are forgiven in that same cross.

• When has Jesus “thrown” you into service? Were you eager, reluctant, excited, rebellious, or . . . ?

• How does Jesus’ forgiving, constant love strengthen you in discouraging times?

4. (10 minutes) Now read “Built for the Long Haul” from Making an Eternal Difference, pages 34–35.

• When is complaining a temptation as we serve Jesus? When are we, instead, most prone to complacency?

• How do each of these dampen our joy and sap our strength?

• How do Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58 speak to each of these twin temptations?

5. (5 minutes) Read through “Quotes & Questions” on pages 36–37 of Making an Eternal Difference. Which do you find most encouraging? Take turns telling one another which one you chose and why.

Closing: Use the prayer on page 38 of Making an Eternal Difference as you close. Have a volunteer read it aloud, changing the singular pronouns (I, me, my) to plural pronouns (we, us, our).




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Session 4: God’s Promises for You

The word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

1. (10 minutes) Making and keeping promises is one proven way to build trust in relationships. Making and breaking promises is usually a sure way to destroy trust, especially if promises are routinely broken.

• Think about some of the Bible’s many promises. Which is your favorite? Why?

• Tell about a time Jesus kept that promise to you. What happened? What did you learn about trusting him?

2. (10–15 minutes) The Lord’s promise in Isaiah 55:11 is among his most precious promises to those who serve Christ’s people. Read it from your own Bible or from page 40 in Making an Eternal Difference.

• When have you seen the Holy Spirit keeping this promise in the life of someone you serve in your church? Tell about that, being sure to keep confidential information confidential.

• Now listen as a volunteer reads “Serving with Promise” from pages 40–41 in Making an Eternal Difference. Where do you see yourself in the opening story?

• As you do the things you do in service to your church, what (specifically) is “your part”? What (specifically) is “God’s part”? How do you know?

• How can remembering this distinction make you a more faithful, less anxious servant of King Jesus? How might it also help you trust him more?

Participant Handout

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3. (15–20 minutes) Find a quiet place where you will be able to think and pray for a few minutes on your own. Then read “Christ’s Promise of Joy” from pages 43–44 in Making an Eternal Difference. Pay special attention to Acts 13:52, the verse from which this devotion is drawn.

• Think about one or more “Paul-and-Barnabas moments” you have experienced recently—times of joy or times of rejection—in your service. What would you like to say to Jesus about those times? Write it out in full in the space below or simply bullet point your thoughts.

• Now, based on what you just wrote and on the last three paragraphs of the devotion, think about what Jesus’ response to you might be like. What do you imagine he might say to you? Write it out in full in the space below or, again, simply bullet point it.

Closing: Still on your own, read through “Quotes & Questions” on pages 48–49 in Making an Eternal Difference. Then pause to pray, basing your prayer on the encouragement you receive from one or more of the items on these pages.




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Session 5: Eternal Promises for Those Who Serve

Through your faith, God is protecting you by his power

until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day.

1 Peter 1:5 NLT

1. (5 minutes) Tell about the most wonderful—or the most disastrous(!)—family reunion you ever attended.

2. (10 minutes) Now think about the ultimate in family reunions—our reunion with Jesus and with every believer from every place and every era in this world’s history.

• Which brother or sister, son or daughter in Christ do you most want to meet there or reunite with there? Explain.

• What other blessings of that reunion bring a smile to your face as you anticipate them? Why?

3. (10 minutes) Read “A Great Reunion” from pages 52–53 in Making an Eternal Difference. Or listen as a volunteer from your group reads it aloud.

• Based on the devotion and on your conversation so far in this session, answer the question on page 54.

• What does your answer imply as you think about your service right now here on earth?

4. (10 minutes) The promise of Daniel 12:3 is not generally as well known as some of the Bible’s other promises. Read it from your own Bible or from the top of page 55 in Making an Eternal Difference. Then listen as a volunteer reads the accompanying devotion from pages 55–56.

• What new insights do you glean from the devotion?

Participant Handout

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• Where do you now see yourself in the promise from Daniel 12? How does that promise renew your zeal for serving in your class or community, your church or office?

5. (10 minutes) Read one final selection from Making an Eternal Difference now—“A Crown for Me?” from pages 58–59.

• Locate yourself on the list of “royalty” in this devotion.

• Who earned the “crown of righteousness” you will wear? How? What do you imagine that “crown” will be like?

• One great joy of having that crown will be using it for a very special purpose! Read about that purpose from Revelation 4:10–11. For what reasons do you look forward to that day?

Closing: Use the prayer on page 62 of Making an Eternal Difference as you wrap up this session. Or pray one-on-one with a partner, basing your words of praise and your requests on the discussion you just shared.

Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.



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Session 6: Goal Setting for Life-Changing Ministry (optional)

Our on-going mission:_________________________________________________________________________________

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Our goals for the year ahead:Note: Your goals for any given year should be designed in such a way as to advance the mission on which the Lord Jesus has sent you! They should do this in the best way possible, given the opportunities, challenges, and resources the Lord has made available.

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Participant Handout

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Activities to achieve these goals:_________________________________________________________________________________

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Assignments, checkpoints, and accountability:_________________________________________________________________________________

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Communicating our goals: Who will share the goals you have set and the plans you have made with your pastor, governance board, and others on the church or organization leadership team who need to know? How and when will this happen?

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Note: Before you close, go back to assign leadership responsibility and deadlines. Ink these in, along with intermediate checkpoints for each significant action step. Remember, those in charge of the activities need not actually do the tasks themselves. Instead, these leaders serve by recruiting, equipping, encouraging, and coaching others who volunteer for the tasks.


Documents

The mission of CTA is that lift up and encourage the body ...€¦ · that lift up and encourage the body of Christ ... staff, elder/deacon boards, Sunday school or Christian day