John Bunyan’s work Pilgrim’s Progress has been continuously in print since first published in 1678, sold over 100,000 copies in his lifetime (an incredible feat at the time) and until the mid 1900s it held second place for the book that had sold the most copies (the Bible being #1 by billions of copies still today). It is a book that is awash with Scripture, and it offers through allegory many simple yet profound insights about the path all Christians must walk in this world as we journey to our eternal home. It has encouraged and strengthened believers through the past three and a half centuries. It has much helpful insight for all believers, and I think that it can provide some particularly poignant wisdom and encouragement for those in ministry and their families, which is the reason behind the name for House Beautiful Retreats. Allow me to share a bit about what’s in the name and I think you’ll see why it is fitting:
In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian arrives at the House (or Palace) Beautiful after ascending the hill called Difficulty. He arrives late and after dark because after initially ascending the hill, he had to descend again and backtrack to the pleasant arbor halfway up the hill where he had fallen asleep while resting. The arbor had been placed there by the Lord for the relief of pilgrims ascending the hill, another picture of his grace, just as House Beautiful at the top is there for the relief and preparation of pilgrims, an even greater grace. He realized that when he had awoken, in his haste to finish climbing the hill, he was missing his scroll that he had been given when his burden was removed at the cross, a scroll by which he was comforted as he read from it, and which he was directed to show at the end of his journey so that he might ultimately enter the eternal city. Often in the midst of difficulty we need assurance from our Lord that we are kept by Him, and it’s no accident that Bunyan has Christian encounter this loss of assurance as he ascends the hill difficulty. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, and countless other pastors and ministers of the gospel through church history have experienced seasons of great difficulty and depression while ministering. They could all have related to Christian’s predicament, and most pastors today can as well.
After recovering his scroll and hurriedly re-ascending the hill, it began to get dark. As he reaches the top, Christian encounters the lions that had so frightened Timorous and Mistrust that they turned back and left the way of life. At the encouragement of the porter calling to him to come ahead to the house, he shows faith to keep to the narrow way between the chained lions on either side of the path that could not reach him if he kept to the center. He spends time with Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity while there, and through this he is encouraged, equipped, and strengthened for the journey ahead. Christian’s time at the Palace Beautiful provided several means that helped him prepare for the rest of his journey to the Celestial City (Heaven) and the many challenges and trials he would face that lay ahead in his path.
The need for conversation with Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity is never outgrown by the most mature believers in this life, and the need for continued growth and preparation to finish the pilgrimage through this world is as critical for the pastor as it is for the new believer. If anything it is even greater for the pastor or missionary, since they have a burden of responsibility for the shepherding of those entrusted to their care, and one cannot give what has not first been received.
Let me share some of the things that Christian was called to do and provided with during his stay at Palace Beautiful, which we pray will also be true of House Beautiful Retreats as the Lord would use it in the lives of those who stay with us.
Remember: First, he was encouraged to remember; to look back on where he had been, see how the Lord had called him, to recall the joys and sorrows of his journey thus far. They inquired of how he came to undertake the pilgrim’s lifeHe gave pause to reflect on the grace of the Lord that had brought him safe thus far, how He relieved him of his burden by His death on the cross, and how He had given him His Word and the Spirit (Interpreter) to guide him. Christian was also encouraged to give thought to the pain he felt for those he had to leave behind and his affliction from trials he encountered on the way. By looking back, he was strengthened in his trust that the Lord, who did not spare His only Son to save him, would also resolve the sorrows that remained and heal the scars left by trials.
Rejoice: Second, he was given the opportunity to rejoice in and be strengthened by the good gifts God has given for our comfort and enjoyment: a wonderful supper of delicious food and drink paired with joyful fellowship that directed praise and glory to the Giver of it all. These foretastes of the joy to come at the wedding supper of the Lamb are meant to create longing for the good that they reflect and to turn our hearts to praise.
Reflect: Third, he and the others in the house reflected upon how the Lord worked through His servants throughout history to accomplish his purposes in a sort of Hebrews 11 reflection. This assured Christian of the Lord’s provision of the armor of God for him to stand and accomplish His purposes for him as well, and he was fitted with this armor before his departure.
Ready Oneself: Finally, Christian was helped to look ahead, to set his eyes on the end goal of dwelling with God, beholding His glory, enjoying the Lord and His goodness forever, and thus strengthened to press on in the upward call that is his in Christ Jesus.
Recite Truth: Many similar comforts were given to Christian’s wife, Christiana and their children in the second book of Pilgrim’s Progress upon their stay at Palace Beautiful. One addition is the catechism of the children, with Prudence asking the children to recite the things they know about what they believe and then building upon their knowledge of the Lord by further teaching them. By knowing and remembering what they believe they are: 1. better equipped to stand against lies and trials, 2. they can discern the right path that the Lord has willed for them and the manner in which they are to walk it, and 3. they can rightly know God as He has revealed Himself in His Word so they can love and worship Him properly and to a greater degree.
Reconnect: Additionally, we wish to provide opportunities for spouses to reconnect, for families to spend time mending relationships, healing and processing life together, give space to make sweet memories, and opportunity to recharge relational bank accounts that have been exhausted.
Above all, we want to provide a place to reconnect with our Lord and Savior, the shepherd of Psalm 23, in the beauty of His creation, relying upon Him to restore souls in the relative stillness and open space where He speaks and we listen to His soothing Word. Reconnection with our Lord and others requires disconnection from ministry stressors, email, and news feeds.
All of this happens best in a place where the beauty of God’s creation provides peace and serenity and where the distractions and worries of life are not as imminent. This follows Christ’s example of going to places remote and quiet to meet with the Father to pray, listen, and reflect upon His will.
These things, especially the “Reconnect” piece, bring me to one aspect of House Beautiful Retreats that will uniquely serve pastors and missionaries, and that is our plan to host whole families. Most retreat centers like this don’t host whole families, and I’ve had many pastors tell me that they can’t do a retreat like this without bringing the kids along. That is not to say there isn’t a place for solo retreats or having a couples retreat, but the option for the whole family to come provides a significant opportunity for investment in family life and the first ministry of the pastor, to shepherd his family well. You all know the stereotype, pastor’s kids all too often have left the faith or rebelled, in many cases because dad was too busy with ministry to tend to and invest in the sheep he is first called to. This kind of regular retreat is vital for a ministry family for longevity in ministry and health of the whole family and their relationships with one another and with the Lord. It is critical for successful ministry to spend time reconnecting with one’s family, investing in individual kids through undistracted and intentional time, enjoying valuable family time to build relationships and trust, showing their spouse and kids that they are the priority, guarding this intentional time with the help of elders at their church to keep from being pulled away by the demands of church ministry. If a pastor’s ministry can’t survive a week without him, something’s got to change, because it’s relying too much on him and not enough on the others the Lord has raised up around him to help, and ultimately is not relying enough on the Lord Himself to build His church as He has promised to do. None of you should want the ministry of the church to rise or fall on the 24/7 availability of your pastor.
That said, on the flip side of the same coin, your pastor does have a central role and purpose in building the church through his shepherding and if your pastor is not healthy, the church will suffer and the spiritual health of the congregation will show this. Which is why another function of the retreats we host will be to help pastors evaluate their health in order to help them be ready to run the race well.
Will you join me in prayer for the pastors and their families who will be staying with us at House Beautiful? Will you partner with us to see healthy leaders in ministry that continue faithfully to the end? To the glory of God and for the good of His people, amen!
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