Theme: Nurturing the Soul of Ministry - Intimacy with Others

November 12, 2011

Nurturing an ongoing personal relationship with the triune God in the midst of the demands you face ... that can be challenging. This year's All-Seminary Retreat responds to that need, that desire, particularly as it is expressed in our relationship to others. The communal worship, prayer, teaching, and reflection that make up the retreat work together so we can better read all aspects of life as a text for spiritual formation and engagement in our faith. The day focuses on fostering:

• A deepening acceptance and love of others
• A capacity and propensity for compassion
• A freedom to receive and give love
• Concern for and ability to relate openly with other people, especially in reference to one's Christian faith and life

Featured Speakers: Drs. Mark and Lisa McMinn

Lisa Graham McMinn is a professor of sociology and Mark R. McMinn is a professor of psychology. They both teach at George Fox University, have been married 33 years, enjoy their 3 grown daughters, son-in-laws, and 2 1/2 grandchildren. Besides teaching, writing, and occasional speaking, they are small-scale farmers who tend bees, chickens, vegetable gardens, orchards and forest, and grow food for 12 families besides their own. Lisa is the recent author of Walking Gently on the Earth (IVP, 2010) and Mark of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (Tyndale, revised edition, 2011). Their first co-authored book is coming out next year, Dirt and the Good Life: Stories of Fern Creek (Barclay Press, in press). You can learn about their CSA and follow life at Fern Creek at www.ferncreekfarm.us.