Article: May 2024
Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late to Debrief
“I always thought that debrief was for when you were finished with ministry. I never knew that I could have been processing the stress, events, grief and joys I had experienced through our years of service on the field.”
– 2023 Winter Debrief participant
Debriefing is an essential step in the learning process. It requires reflection, engagement and readjustment. As parents, we help our children when they are emotionally distressed or having a tantrum. Through a little space, time and reflection, we can help our kids to process how/why they are feeling distressed. Unfortunately, we don’t see the need to do this as adults.
Debriefing is needed throughout our growing journey as Christians– not just at the end. It is essential to process and reflect on our own physical, emotional and spiritual needs away from ministry, whether short or long term. With space, comes clarity and perspective to seek God’s provision in the areas where we need to grow, whether it is forgiveness, humility, reconciliation, patience, conflict resolution, etc.
Amid the busyness of ministry, you may not have had the capacity to process your past experiences. However, with space, time and rest through a debrief retreat, you can look at every experience, and process them with others. At CIT’s Debrief Retreat, you will have opportunities to share stories around a campfire and find fellowship with food that will fill your gut as well as your soul. Our facilitators have been through similar experiences and can bring perspective to your circumstance with compassion. You will also have the space and time to refocus your heart and mind on God’s love for you in the beautiful mountains of Union Mills, North Carolina.
We will always have a million reasons or excuses for not taking the time to debrief. Life is busy and will continue to stay busy. However, by making it a priority to debrief, whether you are in between ministry assignments or feeling “done”. Process your experiences from the mission field, so you can continue pursuing God from a place of thriving, instead of surviving.
