In the heart of the Scottish Borders, nestled among rolling hills and babbling brooks, a gathering of pastors took place that would leave an indelible mark on their hearts and minds. From 16 to 19 October, 32 pastors from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland convened at Whithaugh Park, Newcastleton, for a retreat that was both enriching and inspiring.
The key speaker for the event was Pastor Bill Knott from the General Conference. He is particularly known for his recent work as Editor of the Adventist Review. Currently he heads up the World Church’s interface with the United States Congress. His popular and inspiring weekly “Grace Notes” publication is read by thousands around the world. Bill Knott has a deep affinity to the British Isles, and he was delighted to be invited to speak to the pastors of the Missions about the experience and challenges of pastoral ministry.
Dividing his presentations into two distinct sessions, Bill Knot used the morning sessions to talk about how pastors could develop resilience in their ministries. Speaking in an incredibly open way he shared how individuals guided him through seasons where he would go to work and wonder how he was going to survive as a person, despite a very successful career. His presentations were an inspiring mixture of prosaic storytelling, deep insight, and open discussion with his fixated audience of pastors.
The evening sessions followed a different presentation method in which he presented the participants with “case-studies” that addressed very challenging situations that pastors may face in the lifetime of their ministries. One such case study dealt with the ethical and relational considerations when a “fictional” church member employed another church member who did not have a legal immigration status and faced the prospect of being discovered by the authorities (who also happened to be a member in the same church.) The goal of the conversations was not to solve the specific conundrum, but to explore in a practical way how Biblical values and life wisdom can be employed to navigate challenging situations. The conversations in the group were animated and deeply spiritual. A pastor who attended commented that it was an empowering feeling to be surrounded by other spiritual leaders who often feel alone and isolated, and to share the deep passions that drive them in their ministry.
In the final presentation of the week Bill Knott spoke about the battle that every minister faces to experience the grace of God in their own life, as they battle their own sense of inadequacy. In his travels around the world, he has found this to be an almost universal experience. In the midst of these struggles, Pastors are then called to by God to minister grace to others. “Reconciling grace,” according to Bill Knott, “is never something that we achieve and access through our own efforts. We always receive it. And because it comes to us as a gift, there are surprisingly many circumstances in our ministries where we can give the same grace.”
The value of pastoral retreats does not only lie in the opportunities that it offers for continuous professional development. It also presents many opportunities for pastors to forge deep personal relationships, to pray together, cry together (yes, there were tears on occasions), and to play games and enjoy themselves.
The facility where the event took place was rustic. It consisted of bunk beds and shared ablutions. The pastors prepared their own breakfasts and lunches from ingredients provided. The campsite provided catering for an evening meal. At the start, the pastors might have wished that they could go back to their own comfortable homes. But the spare facilities, and poor internet connection, created an atmosphere of simplicity in which real connections were forged and the pastoral team could become stronger and more united.
The previous Three Missions retreat took place about 2 years before Covid lockdowns, and although memories of those retreats may have faded, this retreat has been described as very impactful, and truly meaningful for Pastors own faith journeys - a memorable experience.
The next Three Missions retreat is planned for 2025 for which the Irish Mission will be the host. It is likely that the world will be a different place then, but it will certainly be another opportunity for reflection and personal growth.
