J-F 2002 Pierce

When Eugene Peterson observed a congregation getting along for two years without a pastor and without skipping a beat, he wondered, "What exactly does a pastor do?" His conclusion was that we are appointed to do three things — be in the Word, be in prayer, and be with people.

After 21 years of busy ministry, Peterson's simple conclusion stunned me. I had spent three pastorates doing a great many things, but the activity trap of doing things right rather than doing the right things had won the day. I had built a successful track record of ministry, accumulated degrees, positions, and committee appointments, but I knew I was missing one of Peterson's key elements — prayer.

My mentor and friend — whom I had watched grow in godliness and prayer for 22 years — encouraged me to sit at the feet of a master.

Mary's Place
Started by Doug and Margie Newton in Estes Park, Colorado, Mary's Place is a week-long retreat that helps pastors and their spouses change from a Martha lifestyle to a Mary-style life. But radical change doesn't happen in one week.

To prepare for the retreat, the Newtons worked with our church to raise up prayer partners and ministry partners to redirect the church's priorities as well as the pastor's. My wife and I filled out questionnaires and were assigned five books on prayer to read. But the most difficult preparation was internal. Was I truly ready to commit to the changes? Or was I just getting another conference and retreat fix?

We flew to Colorado to find out.

Mornings at the retreat were filled with solitude, prayer, reflection, reading, and writing. It was during that time that God began breaking through to me.

We were staying in a split-level house. I was downstairs praying while Doug was upstairs. When I encountered troubling or exciting moments in my study, I wanted to run upstairs and talk it over with Doug. I wanted someone to help me process these ideas, someone to talk to about the stirrings of my spirit.

That's when I learned something I had never fully understood before. So much of the pastor's life, and even his prayer life, is surrounded by people. What we study we preach. What we learn we share. When we pray it's in public. I needed to learn to pray for myself, with myself, and most importantly, by myself. It wasn't Doug, or a board member, or the congregation I needed to talk to about these ideas and stirrings, it was God.

Back to My Place
"It sounds like a great retreat," you say, "but what lasting effects did it have on you and your ministry?"

At Mary's Place I promised the Lord, my wife, and the Newtons that this was the beginning of a life centered on prayer. I created a Reorientation Plan. It said: "Soon my steps will be ordered of the Lord, coming out of committed times of prayer. These times will be part of my daily schedule, set apart for an audience with the Lord. I will retreat and ask the family to respect these times for Mary's Place. I will ask my staff and congregation to hold me accountable to it."

My congregation was already focusing on prayer. When I returned, I asked them to help me make this a priority in my own life. Meetings and ministries were rescheduled to allow me a set, daily prayer time. This "Mary's Place" of mine is a mini-retreat in my attic. There I study, reflect, read, intercede, listen, and praise. I do whichever of these best allows me to center my heart on God in a given session.

I must admit I have the occasional relapse when busyness consumes a prayer appointment. But I don't let it happen often. The effect of retreats on my daily life means too much to me -- and to others. After one particular week of being faithful to my Mary's Place, a good friend commented, "I just want to be near you."

I had been with Jesus and it was evident.




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When Eugene Peterson observed a congregation getting along for two years without a pastor and without skipping a beat, he wondered, "What exactly does a pastor do?" His conclusion was that we are appointed to do three things — be in the Word, be in prayer, and be with people. After 21 years of busy ministry, Peterson's simple conclusion stunned me. I had spent three pastorates doing a great many things, but the activity trap of doing things right rather than doing the right things had won the day. I had built a successful track record of ministry, accumulated degrees, positions, and committee appointments, but I knew I was missing one of Peterson's key elements — prayer. My mentor and friend — whom I had watched grow in godliness and prayer for 22 years — encouraged me to sit at the feet of a master. Mary's Place Started by Doug and Margie Newton in Estes Park, Colorado, Mary's Place is a week-long retreat that helps pastors and their spouses change from a Martha lifestyle to a Mary-style life. But radical change doesn't happen in one week. To prepare for the retreat, the Newtons worked with our church to raise up prayer partners and ministry partners to redirect the church's priorities as well as the pastor's. My wife and I filled out questionnaires and were assigned five books on prayer to read. But the most difficult preparation was internal. Was I truly ready to commit to the changes? Or was I just getting another conference and retreat fix? We flew to Colorado to find out. Mornings at the retreat were filled with solitude, prayer, reflection, reading, and writing. It was during that time that God began breaking through to me. We were staying in a split-level house. I was downstairs praying while Doug was upstairs. When I encountered troubling or exciting moments in my study, I wanted to run upstairs and talk it over with Doug. I wanted someone to help me process these ideas, someone to talk to about the stirrings of my spirit. That's when I learned something I had never fully understood before. So much of the pastor's life, and even his prayer life, is surrounded by people. What we study we preach. What we learn we share. When we pray it's in public. I needed to learn to pray for myself, with myself, and most importantly, by myself. It wasn't Doug, or a board member, or the congregation I needed to talk to about these ideas and stirrings, it was God. Back to My Place "It sounds like a great retreat," you say, "but what lasting effects did it have on you and your ministry?" At Mary's Place I promised the Lord, my wife, and the Newtons that this was the beginning of a life centered on prayer. I created a Reorientation Plan. It said: "Soon my steps will be ordered of the Lord, coming out of committed times of prayer. These times will be part of my daily schedule, set apart for an audience with the Lord. I will retreat and ask the family to respect these times for Mary's Place. I will ask my staff and congregation to hold me accountable to it." My congregation was already focusing on prayer. When I returned, I asked them to help me make this a priority in my own life. Meetings and ministries were rescheduled to allow me a set, daily prayer time. This "Mary's Place" of mine is a mini-retreat in my attic. There I study, reflect, read, intercede, listen, and praise. I do whichever of these best allows me to center my heart on God in a given session. I must admit I have the occasional relapse when busyness consumes a prayer appointment. But I don't let it happen often. The effect of retreats on my daily life means too much to me -- and to others. After one particular week of being faithful to my Mary's Place, a good friend commented, "I just want to be near you." I had been with Jesus and it was evident.