Writing Your Family's 
Mission Statement—
OBC Annual Family Retreat

by Jack Dabney

Deep in the throes of Winter, an intrepid band of OBC families trekked northward, on a mission. And a daunting mission it was…to come to grips with the true goals that define us as Christian families.

The sixth annual OBC Family Retreat at the Greenwood Hills Retreat Center set as its goal the development of individual family mission statements.

Led by Pastor David Schnittger and Elder Jamie McBride, the conference sessions were aimed at helping each family determine its values, priorities and restructure their goals, according to what SHOULD be their priorities. Most of the participants expressed surprise at learning how the priorities for their families varied from how they actually spent their time and effort.

After a weekend of work, in small groups and within family units, and through biblical example, each OBC family announced its personalized statement. Here is a sampling of some of the mission statements:

“To enthusiastically gain a better understanding of the purpose of our lives and how we may more benevolently serve our Lord. Daily we will strive to be faithful and active in the ways of the Lord, seeking to recognize the opportunities He puts before us to be His servants and to trust Him always”

"To share the Love, Joy, Blessings and Peace of God with those in our lives through a daily commitment to Fellowship, Prayer, and Bible Study."

“Pressing on toward the goal for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

The mission of our family is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and bring glory to him by obeying the word of God. We do this by: · Prioritizing our relationship wit God through faithful Bible Study and prayer · Making family relationships important by spending time with them and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord. · Serving others in the local church and witnessing for Christ. · Trusting god’s providence and enjoying His peace. · Enduring trials and reaping spiritual maturity. · Honoring God with our finances, earning diligently, living modestly, giving generously, serving regularly and investing wisely.

Lest we leave the impression that the weekend was ALL hard work, one of the highlights of the three-day retreat was a Valentine's Day Couples’ Dinner. The teens supervised an early dinner for the younger children and then took them to the recreation center while the Couples shared an candlelight dinner in the new dining hall beautifully decorated by Rich and Lesley Nyborg. Tracy Dugan did a dramatic reading of 1 Cor. 13, the traditional wedding scripture. A DVD prepared by Brian Thomas played each couple's favorite songs and Mike and Laura Clark from OBC’s Clay Pots drama ministry presented a PG treatment of the Song of Solomon. Later, all of the couples participated in a killer round of the "Oldywed Game," during which we learned a lot about preferences in attire, among other things.

Earlier in the day, an afternoon break allowed families to go sledding on the snowbound hills. Others went touring the Gettysburg Battlefield; trolled the flea markets; or went to a movie in Chambersburg. Others just sat around the roaring fire, drank hot chocolate, talked and played board games.

Hymns and Choruses chosen by Lisa Thomas to specially fit the family mission theme highlighted the weekend’s praise and worship. Rich and Erica Nyborg assisted her. This year we offered child care for each of the teaching sessions. Parents of younger children appreciated the break and the kids loved the crafts and games in the recreation center.

At the moment, next February's OBC journey to Greenwood Hills is scheduled to be a Youth Retreat. A new date of October, 2005 is set for the next Family Retreat. For more information, or if you would like to be involved in the planning, contact Gina Dabney, hokiemom@comcast.net.

Here's the whole group