Ideas for 2008 continuing education events?

As part of a grant from the Lilly Foundation's Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program a group of us have to think through individual projects for the year.  This year I am going to try and do some interesting continuing education events. 

So my blogging friends . . . what events, conferences or other experiences should I think about this year and why?  What I am looking for is something that will stretch me a bit outside of some of my natural boundaries of pastoral work or to revisit some foundational studies.

Some possible areas of study/experience:

• Intensive Bible Study
• Silent Retreat
• International Plunge
• Leadership Retreats
• Spiritual Practices
• Exegesis Practicum
• Service/Mission Experience
• "Create-my-own" thing

I have two weeks to play with and a good chunk of $$ so the possibilities are pretty wide open.  Not really looking for things about blogging, techie or anything emergent-esque, but if you think there is something that is really super-fantabulous in these areas, please feel free to make your case.

[image: Daily Clip Art]

Comments

[bob]

I "almost" did one of those "Outward Bound" events and thought it would be an amazing experience both professionally and personally....still do, but I probably won't get around to it now.

How about this one? woo hoo!
http://www.outwardboundwilderness.org/course/mexico_to_canyonlands_spring_semester_495.html

[Elaine]

Two weeks isn't enough time.

If you want a life-changing spiritual event that defines where emergent meets tradition, then do what countless thousands have done before you for the last 1/2 a millenium (give or take) --

The Spiritual Excercises of St. Ignatius.

Elaine
Norman, OK

[Shawn Coons]

Two words - Burning Man.

I really wanted to try and swing it this coming summer, but I think GA is going to be my big trip. But summer of '09 I really want to go to explore intentional, creative, self-sustaining, adapting community in the extreme.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

Shawn - Never thought of that, but might be a pretty powerful experience. Not even sure where to start.

Elaine - Yeah, not sure I was expecting or could expect "life-changing" but rather sustaining, re-energizing etc. I wonder if there are some "teaser" type of things that I could attend. Good food for thought.

Bob - With my natural comfort in the concrete jungle, this might be a way for me to get out in that whole nature thing. But can I live-blog is the real questions ;-)

[jim]

If you have never been to Scotland and to the Iona Community, I would rank this up there as an absolute must do; but it will take most of your two weeks.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

Jim - Another great idea. Thanks!

[chris]

Is now a time to reinforce some good habits/disciplines? Is it a time to get really uncomfortable? Is it a time to reflect or forge ahead? Do you want an experience that moves you forward as a disciple? As a father? Husband? Pastor? All of the above? Do you want to take on something for your own personal benefit? The benefit of your church? The benefit of others? What are you leaning towards on a gut level?

When contemplating what to do next, I'm always besieged by questions, but after answering a few I have a clearer idea.

Word up!

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

Chris - Great questions! Those have been getting prodded out of me as folks have offered suggestions. Hmmm . . . that would do "this" if I went this way. Take care. Bruce

[kristen rudd]

OOH, you could walk the camino de santiago in northern Spain. It might take more than two weeks to do the whole thing, but you could easily do a section.

When are kids are older, I want to do that sometime. I've had several friends do it.

[LadyBurg]

I like the Burning Man idea. Let me know when you all go and I just might join you.

How about something crazy and stretching like a Mystical Church Network gathering? They aren't long so you could do other things. It would be very different! And we have tons of fun too.

[Karen Sloan]

I'm the kind of person who would be totally into Continuing Education that incorporates both time at Burning Man and in The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. I too am thinking about becoming a 'burner' (or as I like to call it, "Continuing Education in the Desert") and there is a Jesuit Center located on the SF Peninsula that has 8-Day & 36-Day Ignatian retreats:
http://www.elretiro.org/eventDetail.jsp?eventID=2045&categoryID=121
http://www.elretiro.org/eventsInCategory.jsp?categoryID=122

All it would require for me to get signed up is grant funds, too bad I don't know which door to knock on....

[Robin Mohr]

You might take a weekend workshop at the Ben Lomond Quaker Center. Here's the Schedule:
http://www.quakercenter.org/Pages/ProgramPages/ProgramSchedule.html

[djchuang]

I'd get a look at leading edge culture at the TED conference, if you can get a tix, or the touted Christian version of TED called Q http://www.fermiproject.com/q/ - I'll be at the latter in NYC this April 9-11