Weekend retreat helps men cope with chaos
BEERSHEBA SPRINGS, Tenn.––“How do men cope with the chaos that exists today?” That was the topic tackled by the Rev. Rick Vance, director of the Center for Men’s Ministries at the General Commission on United Methodist Men, and the Rev. Tommy Vann, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, at an Aug.7-8 retreat at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Camping and Retreat Center.
“Living in chaos is a choice,” said Vance. “The first steps to overcome the chaos in our lives is to pray, to form an intentional relationship with Christ, and to engage in accountable relationships with other men.
Vance offered the 27 participants ten additional ways to cope with chaos:
- Exercise
- Eat and sleep well
- Meditate
- Attempt to solve the cause of your stress
- Avoid stressful situations
- Accept things you can’t change
- Don’t take on more than you can handle
- Assume a glass-half-full attitude
- Tackle the most critical things first
- Take time to celebrate victories
Vann used Moses as an example of a man who had an intentional ongoing relationship with God. That relationship did not mean Moses would gain popularity or success as defined by Egyptian culture.
Van said was not easy for Moses to follow the difficult pathway God set for him. It required a burning bush and Moses had to rely on Aaron to hold his tired arms up
Mark Barrow, executive director of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, served as worship leader for the two-day event. The weekend concluded with a service of Holy Communion during which the men were reminded they are united by God's grace.
Titled “Refocus,” the retreat was a collaborative venture of the Center for Men’s Ministries and the United Methodist retreat center. It was originally scheduled for 2020 but was rescheduled for 2021.
The General Commission on United Methodist Men offers resources and staff who are able to provide workshops, studies, and retreats to conferences, districts and local churches.
For information, please contact Rev. Dr. Rick Vance at the center for men's ministries. (rvance@gcumm.org or 615-620-7277).