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Monday, March 20, 2006
The Lodge is 'Garden of Eden' for Weary Pastors from Across U.S.; Almost Half Sent by Thoughtful Church Member
NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS:
1. Editors and reporters, along with spouses, are invited to be complimentary guests at The Lodge. See contact information below.
2. Pastors from all over the U.S. have visited The Lodge. Interviews with those in your area arranged on request.
3. Photos and graphics available on request.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pete Pappas: 800-321-1538/ext. 2064 or ppappas@lifeaction.org
BUCHANAN, Mich. - Is it possible in today's modern world for a church to send its pastor to a veritable "Garden of Eden?" Or to help that pastor experience the words Jesus spoke in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you...?"
The answer is "yes." And The Lodge, a 1928 French-country estate and private retreat center in Buchanan, Mich., offers something as close to that as possible. Hidden away on 82 acres of solitude on the St. Joseph River less than 90 miles from Chicago, "The Lodge is an oasis displaying the greatness of God," said Byron Paulus, executive director of Life Action Ministries.
Serving as a retreat center for pastors from all over the country, The Lodge is an outreach of Life Action (www.lifeaction.org). It has eight guest suites and also is an ideal setting for staff, leadership, marriage or prayer retreats.
"Even if a pastor doesn't take the initiative to do it for himself, wouldn't it be a loving gift for a congregation to give a stay at The Lodge to its leader?" said Paulus. He said almost 50 percent of the pastors who come to The Lodge do so courtesy of a thoughtful church member.
Statistics show that 1,500 pastors leave their churches every month because of conflict, burnout or moral failure. Eighty percent of pastors report their ministry has negatively affected their families. Surveys reveal other facts that cry out for the need for pastors to have some place to go to rekindle their love for Christ and His church.
"The Lodge provides a peaceful setting for pastors and their wives to gain new perspective in a world clamoring for their attention. It is a sanctuary for sanity in a relentless world," said Paulus.
Group sessions at the Lodge are led by a "pastor's pastor," a seasoned veteran of full-time Christian service who fully understands the pastors' struggles. Each retreat includes devotionals, prayer and a lot of time for rest and personal reflection.
"The retreats work miracles, even though pastors at first say they can't get away, they can't afford it or they fear the reaction of their congregations," he said.
Pastor Kelly Reynolds of Berrien, Mich., said, "This week has been what I call 'a holy moment' in my life.' God has met me at my point of question and reaffirmed my calling to ministry and to the church I serve. I came hoping to receive a release from ministry as a vocation. I'm leaving joyful to be a minister, with a conviction that I've been called."
"The retreat has helped me refocus on God's love for me, even in the midst of troubling times," said Pastor Glenn Johnson of Duluth, Minn. "My calling has been affirmed. I am ready to return, even though the conflict in our church may not have changed, or even may have worsened."
Missy Benfield, a pastor's wife in Concord, N.C., said, "God found both of us drained - physically, emotionally and spiritually. This has been a time of getting back to our first love - Jesus!"
A virtual tour is available at www.retreatatthelodge.org. Information also is available at 800-321-1538.
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
1. Editors and reporters, along with spouses, are invited to be complimentary guests at The Lodge. See contact information below.
2. Pastors from all over the U.S. have visited The Lodge. Interviews with those in your area arranged on request.
3. Photos and graphics available on request.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pete Pappas: 800-321-1538/ext. 2064 or ppappas@lifeaction.org
BUCHANAN, Mich. - Is it possible in today's modern world for a church to send its pastor to a veritable "Garden of Eden?" Or to help that pastor experience the words Jesus spoke in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you...?"
The answer is "yes." And The Lodge, a 1928 French-country estate and private retreat center in Buchanan, Mich., offers something as close to that as possible. Hidden away on 82 acres of solitude on the St. Joseph River less than 90 miles from Chicago, "The Lodge is an oasis displaying the greatness of God," said Byron Paulus, executive director of Life Action Ministries.
Serving as a retreat center for pastors from all over the country, The Lodge is an outreach of Life Action (www.lifeaction.org). It has eight guest suites and also is an ideal setting for staff, leadership, marriage or prayer retreats.
"Even if a pastor doesn't take the initiative to do it for himself, wouldn't it be a loving gift for a congregation to give a stay at The Lodge to its leader?" said Paulus. He said almost 50 percent of the pastors who come to The Lodge do so courtesy of a thoughtful church member.
Statistics show that 1,500 pastors leave their churches every month because of conflict, burnout or moral failure. Eighty percent of pastors report their ministry has negatively affected their families. Surveys reveal other facts that cry out for the need for pastors to have some place to go to rekindle their love for Christ and His church.
"The Lodge provides a peaceful setting for pastors and their wives to gain new perspective in a world clamoring for their attention. It is a sanctuary for sanity in a relentless world," said Paulus.
Group sessions at the Lodge are led by a "pastor's pastor," a seasoned veteran of full-time Christian service who fully understands the pastors' struggles. Each retreat includes devotionals, prayer and a lot of time for rest and personal reflection.
"The retreats work miracles, even though pastors at first say they can't get away, they can't afford it or they fear the reaction of their congregations," he said.
Pastor Kelly Reynolds of Berrien, Mich., said, "This week has been what I call 'a holy moment' in my life.' God has met me at my point of question and reaffirmed my calling to ministry and to the church I serve. I came hoping to receive a release from ministry as a vocation. I'm leaving joyful to be a minister, with a conviction that I've been called."
"The retreat has helped me refocus on God's love for me, even in the midst of troubling times," said Pastor Glenn Johnson of Duluth, Minn. "My calling has been affirmed. I am ready to return, even though the conflict in our church may not have changed, or even may have worsened."
Missy Benfield, a pastor's wife in Concord, N.C., said, "God found both of us drained - physically, emotionally and spiritually. This has been a time of getting back to our first love - Jesus!"
A virtual tour is available at www.retreatatthelodge.org. Information also is available at 800-321-1538.
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
