Mugs and Goblets Retreat to Sebring

SEBRING, Florida -- Fifteen couples were represented at the 2011 Pastors and Wives Retreat in Sebring May 9-10.  These pastors and missionaries -- from as far north as Jacksonville and as far south as Miami -- met in central Florida to spend two days with their colleagues at Inn on the Lakes hotel.  The retreat consisted of four teaching sessions, optional game time, a night at the hotel, breakfast, and lunch.

The guest speakers for the retreat were Dr. David and Pat Warren. Dr. Warren is the state representative for the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches.  Their teaching focused on marriage, keeping a marriage strong, and encouraging good marriage relationships within the church.  One of their more memorable topics was entitled, "Men are Mugs and Women are Goblets."  Dr. Warren held up a mug and a goblet while teaching on the distinct differences between husbands and wives.  At one point while Dr. Warren was teaching on the responsibilities of husbands to care for their wives, laughter erupted when a wife leaned over to her husband and said (a little too loudly), "Honey, are you getting all of this?"  Truly all were challenged and encouraged by the Word preached.

The retreat did not just consist of teaching sessions.  Relaxation, fun, and even games were a part.  Aaron Snyder of Camp Sparta helped these "normally distinguished" pastors and wives to remember the fun of play, by leading them in camp style games.  Participants strategized to get all men or all women on the "couch" while playing "Four on a Couch."  Several wives then had the opportunity to feed donuts to their husbands using fishing poles.  A few other wives raced to be the first to feed their minister husbands from a baby bottle!  In  addition to these group games, many relaxed by spending time in the hotel pool, going out to eat, and chatting with friends new and old.

While most of the retreat was held right at Inn on the Lakes, the final session was hosted by Southside Baptist Church in Sebring.  Following a delicious lunch of subs and soup, Dr. Warren closed the retreat with Q&A and final thoughts from God's Word.

The 2011 Pastor's and Wives Retreat was enjoyed by all who attended.  Special thanks are given to Jim Stultz, Chuck Pausley, Aaron Snyder, and David Altman for their planning and hands on work in planning and running this retreat.

Click here to view photos from the retreat