Gathering: Vineyard Worship Leader Retreats
Hello my friends!
It was wonderful to see so many of you this summer at our Vineyard USA National Conferences in Dayton & Denver. We loved the opportunity to worship with you, to reunite with old friends, and also meet so many new people during those two powerful weeks!
As I write this, I can’t believe that summer is almost over. But as fall draws near, I look ahead to the events and gatherings that are quickly approaching, particularly our Vineyard Worship Leader Retreats.
Our retreats are some of my favorite gatherings that we do here at Vineyard Worship because they extend unique invitations to our greater worship community.
First, retreats are an invitation to ENCOUNTER:
We know that He is Emmanuel (“God With Us”) but something special happens as we gather together in community. The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people, and when we come together at retreats, we know He is with us so we come with GREAT expectation that He will MOVE among us. And when He moves, we know we will see lives transformed. When He moves, we know we will see people healed. When He moves, we know we will see the dead places come to life. When He moves, we know we will see fresh vision, hope, and encouragement released.
We extend this invitation to you to come, receive, and encounter the Living God!
Second, retreats are an invitation to REST:
Retreats are just that…retreats. Not conferences, not meetings, not seminars. Retreats are not meant to be jam-packed with information that makes your brain want to explode (in the best kind of way). To retreat is to withdraw — to step back and away from your day-to-day tasks — and take time to meditate, to pray, and to meet with the Lord. As worship people, the weekly rhythm of leading our communities can take a lot out of us, so rest is vital.
We extend this invitation to you to come refill, recharge, and rest.
Third, retreats are an invitation into COMMUNITY:
We know the name says “Worship Leader” but that doesn’t just mean the song leaders or worship pastors. Everyone on your stage is helping to lead the church in worship each week, and all of those folks are invited to join us at these retreats! Invite your drummers, your bass players, your guitar players, and your youth worship teams! Everyone is welcome – especially your younger team members! It is powerful when the extended community comes together, each of us giving and receiving. Community is built when seasoned leaders encourage and bless new leaders (and vice versa). Community is built when songs, stories, meals, and laughs are shared. Community is built when people are vulnerable and open to one another.
We extend this invitation to you to build and extend your community.
I encourage each of you to prayerfully consider joining us for a retreat if you haven’t yet this year. I also encourage you to share this with your team members and pastors. Perhaps someone just needs to know they are welcome. Perhaps there is a little extra money in your worship budget to help bring someone new.
Our upcoming retreats are in North Carolina, New York, and California. You can find the info at vineyardworship.com/vwlr.
We hope to see you in the Fall!
Sincerely,
Melisa Keller
Melisa Keller is the Director of Events and Project Management for Vineyard Worship. She is a wife, mother of two and also leads worship and serves at Vineyard Fullerton Church in Southern California.