Retreat Advance

Several years ago (late 1980s) I attended the Northeast coc in Greenville. We did not hold a "Youth Retreat." We held a "Youth Advance." I like the thought process behind that name.

Anyway, this past weekend we held the planning retreat for next year's PBC SuperWeek. We are in a time of significant transition. Last year we had the 25th SuperWeek. My great friend Curt Harbuck has been director for the past 15 years. This coming year will be his last in that role. "Our generation" is now represented by Curt and me, for the most part. This past weekend, more than any previous time, I felt like the "old guy." It must be time for that feeling... because I didn't mind it! The directorship and program teams for the next phase of SuperWeek are basically in place. We must find the person to take MY place as Worship Director very soon. It is time that I decrease and someone else must increase. I LOVE leading the camp in worship. But PBC must be driven and led (publicly) by people younger than me. I have BIG dreams for my role in the future, but it will not be a public role. (In fact, if it goes as I want it to, it will be an anonymous role.)

In past years our goal at the retreat has been to select the theme for next year's SuperWeek. This year was different - in a VERY good way. The theme had already been selected. So while we had all those committed and creative people together, we spent the time beginning to frame the week with the theme, and to "put some meat on the bones" for each day. I believe this is a much more fruitful way to spend that time. I am glad for the vision cast by the "up and comers" to spend our time this way.

A BIG shout out to Ben Baddeley for the amazing cuisine presented this weekend. Ben truly has a gift, and I got to bring some of it home! We will share it with our Life Group this coming Sunday night (Tomato Bisque, which was simply DELICIOUS!)