Summary of MTS Fall Retreat for 2025

Main Topics Discussed

1. Letting Go of Preconceived Notions and Personal Agendas

* Participants reflect on the challenge of releasing their own plans and preconceived ideas, especially in ministry or mission work.

* Emphasis on the difficulty of surrendering investments (time, money, effort) when God redirects the path, and the spiritual resistance to letting go of what is already built.

* Discussion of how following God often requires flexibility and willingness to be redirected, rather than stubbornly pushing forward with personal agendas.

* Concrete example given: an ongoing mission/building project, where God’s intention may be different than initial human expectations.

2. Biblical Foundations for Spiritual Listening and Obedience

* Key scriptures highlighted:

* 2 Samuel 5:24: David instructed to wait until he hears the sound of marching in the trees before moving, representing the importance of waiting for God’s signal.

* John 5:19 (referenced as the date was the 19th): Jesus only does what he sees the Father doing, underscoring the theme of alignment and imitation.

* Examples from Gideon, Joshua, and the Tabernacle: Illustrations of radical obedience, trust and waiting for God’s movement or instruction rather than relying on one’s logic or strength.

* Psalms 8:2 and Matthew 16:21: Discussion on praise as a spiritual weapon and the power of simple, honest adoration.

3. Spiritual Practices: Praise, Stillness, and Active Listening

* Emphasis on entering God’s presence through worship, thanksgiving and praise as key steps to spiritual clarity and effectiveness.

* The group references the biblical pattern in Israel’s journey: remaining stationary until God (the cloud/fire) moves, paralleling the need to “move when God moves.”

* The importance of “active rest”: being still and listening even amidst responsibilities and activity.

* Acknowledgement that obedience to seemingly simple instructions can unlock extraordinary outcomes (“If you do the ordinary, God will add the extraordinary”).

4. Family and Societal Concerns: Absentee Fathers and Christ as the Example

* Connection made between societal issues (like absent fathers and marriage decline) and the need for spiritual fatherhood and looking to God as Father.

* Jesus as the model of being completely grounded and guided because of his relationship with the Father; suggestion that children and individuals without a “father to look at” are vulnerable.

5. Corporate Repentance and Prayer for God’s Focus

* The group collectively prays for God’s revelation, repenting for relying on their own thoughts, plans, and interpretations.

* Request for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s specific will and to shift their focus from their own solutions to God’s supernatural solutions.

· Action Items and Next Steps

* Transition to worship and energetic praise, aiming to shift focus onto God and be open to his direction.

* An intentional period of collective listening after worship for individuals to share or pray whatever is inspired or revealed.

* Ongoing commitment to “wait for God’s signal” before making decisions or moving forward on ministry initiatives.

* Continued reflection on and meditation with the scriptures highlighted, especially 2 Samuel 5:24 and John 5:19.

* Practice of true spiritual rest: being willing to pause, listen, and follow God’s lead, even when it contradicts logical or previously planned strategies.

· Key Takeaways

* Progress in spiritual or ministry life is not about pushing personal agendas but about yielding to God’s unexpected directions.

* True success comes from alignment with God’s revealed will, often signaled through scriptures, spiritual nudges, and a posture of listening in worship.

* Praise is not just a reactive or decorative action; it is a potent spiritual weapon that changes focus and releases God’s power over situations.

* Societal answers and individual stability are found in reflecting the relationship Jesus had with the Father—this spiritual model is especially highlighted in conversations about the need for father figures.

* Relevant Dates and Scriptures Mentioned

* Discussion occurred on the 19th (referenced by John 5:19)

* Key Scriptures:

* 2 Samuel 5:24

* John 5:19

* Psalms 8:2

* Matthew 16:21

* Reference to tabernacle movement, Gideon (Judges 7), and Jericho (Joshua 6)

· Additional Notes

* The conversation displays vulnerability and openness to change, encouraging humble acknowledgment of one’s limitations and mistakes in pursuit of greater spiritual alignment.

* The community values collective discernment and prayer, reflecting a desire to move forward only with God’s clear leading rather than personal presumption.

Overall summary for our spring retreat:

We believe that God is guiding us into a new season, building upon the previous years of eliminating negative spiritual influences and establishing a foundation rooted in His will and purposes. As we embrace this new season, God is calling us to release our expectations and preconceived notions, allowing Him to create something new through us that will glorify His name and advance His Kingdom in our community and region.

He is urging us to pray with confident expectation, believing that we will witness miraculous events on a weekly basis. Specifically, as we seek God's Kingdom solutions in the school system, we must ask Him to perform miracles addressing core issues, such as turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers

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Mike Greider

Director of Mission Tri-State

304-634-7593

[email protected]