“I’m supposed to be faithful and fired up. But I mostly feel overworked and burned out.”

What word best describes today’s pastors? It’s not obedient or committed, but rather stressed and overworked.

Pastors are suffering. The demands of ministry are more difficult than ever. Families are stretched thin. Life is complex. There are projects to oversee, visitations to make, events to plan, and goals to accomplish. Church leadership has never been more complicated — or less healthy. Unhealthy pastors lead to unhealthy families, churches, and communities. How can spiritual leaders restore their health?

Mark 1:35 demonstrates a first step in the restoration process: “Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there” (NASB). Providing the peace and power of that “secluded place” is the prayerful goal behind ReConnect Pastor Rest & Renewal Retreats at The Hideaway Experience.

ReConnect Retreats are a way for overworked pastors to “reconnect” with their relationship to God, their spiritual calling, and — because spouses come along, too — with their marriages. We offer four days of valuable rest at The Hideaway Experience, a rustic retreat center known for being a sequestered haven for prayer and meditation. There, you’ll be pampered by our caring staff in a breathtaking natural setting. Best of all, there’s no schedule at a ReConnect retreat. No agenda. No time demands. No responsibilities. Just the chance to relax, seek God, and get back on track with God’s plan for your ministry and marriage.

ReConnect Pastor Rest & Renewal Retreats FAQ

Really? No agenda?

None at all. There is no set schedule. Spend your time reading Scripture. Take a long walk. Have a long talk with your spouse. Enjoy the friendly hospitality of your hosts. Get to know other retreat guests. Read a good book. Take a nap. The benefit of several days spent without the pressure of a to-do list may seem unfamiliar, but it’s not long before our guests find it surprisingly therapeutic and invigorating to their ministry.

I’m not really having any problems like the ones described here. Can I still come?

Yes! Our ReConnect Retreats are valuable opportunities for “preventive spiritual maintenance.” Maybe you haven’t reached burnout, but most ministers have at least taken the first steps down that road. The best time for a retreat is before you need it.

I have too much to do. What if I can’t get away for that many days?

That’s exactly why many pastors need a retreat — because they’re so busy ministering to others they neglect themselves. As believers, we are commanded to love others “as we love ourselves” (Mark 12:31), yet many of us have forgotten how to care for ourselves. If we can’t meet our own needs by taking the time to rest and recharge, then we will be ineffective at meeting the needs of others…including our spouses. Together, we need to hear from God and each other before our busy schedules begin to drive us apart.

Can I come with my entire staff?

We don’t recommend it. One of the burdens of being a pastor is the stress of performance — being the person people expect you to be. We’ve found that pastors who retreat with fellow staff members are distracted by the pressure of living up to expectations. The most beneficial retreats take place among two or three other couples who do not already know each other. The result? Authenticity, freedom, and great new relationships.