Pre-Conference Discipleship Retreat

Falling For God:Saying Yes to His Extravagant Proposal

Restoration of the soul—that leads to abundant life in Christ and the emotions of love, joy and peace—happens as we take the time to cultivate a passionate relationship with God.  But for many Christians, the main thing that distinguishes them from non Christians is where they spend their Sunday mornings!  Where is the love, joy and peace that characterized Jesus, and that has been promised to us—in life and practice?  While we can learn facts about Jesus and muse about what He might do in certain situations, it does not ensure that we’ll become likeHim.   For this we need three things: time, honesty, and desire.

We invite you to join us for a day and a half retreat where you will discover how you can become like Christ from the inside out by falling in love again with God--and learning how to enjoy the real presence of Christ within.  Through a combination of Bible study, personal meditation and exercises in classical Christian practices, we will take a heartfelt journey through nine dimensions of Christian formation—experiencing thekingdom of God, practicing God’s presence, learning to hear His voice, embracing willingness and obedience, overcoming fears and idols, accepting our own personal cross, forgiveness, reconciliation, and union with God through Christ.  Our goal is to recover a dynamic relationship with God—a relationship that moves from conversation to communion to joyous union and personal transformation.

Our Retreat Leader will be Dr. Gary Moon, Vice President for Spiritual Development and professor of psychology and spirituality at the Psychological  Studies Institute in Atlanta, Georgia.  Gary serves on the editorial boards for The Journal of Psychology and Christianity, Marriage and Family:  A Christian Journal, and a new journal called Converssations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation.  He is currently working with Dallas Willard to produce a multi-volume, video-based series called The Curriculum of Christlikeness.  As in past years, CLS Chaplains Glandion Carney and Phil Ashey will be available for spiritual friendship, conversation, direction and prayer along the way!

Cost:  $65 per participant  (includes Lunch only on Thursday)