What Is A Silent Retreat?

Doorway to Discovery Guided Silent Retreats are presented from a conservative evangelical perspective and are loosely patterned after the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (a 16th century church leader).

Our Silent Retreats are “guided,” meaning the retreat director introduces a topic to be considered, suggests several texts for meditation and prayer, and provides questions for application. The retreat themes move around 9 short meditations. Topics include our role in the created order, the pervasive nature of sin and its effect upon us and the world, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God, the call of Christ the King, living the Beatitudes, the betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and the Great Commission mandate to evangelize the world.

Immediately following each session, participants can return to their room or go to another place of solitude to meditate upon the assigned texts and pray through any personal application. Reflections may be recorded in a personal journal for follow-up after the retreat.

Devotionals are presented by fellow retreat participants. Interspersed through-out the weekend are times of worship that include singing and informal sharing. All meals are homemade and served buffet style.

"Jesus calls us to come away with Him and to abide in Him "...so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" (John 15:11). The call to retreat into His presence is a call to joy. I believe the Lord has appointed times set aside to meet with each of us during the coming year. This years silent retreat may be one of those times for you."

Pastor Peter Churness
LEM Director