SONBEAM VIA DE CRISTO
SECRETARIAT RETREAT
August 7, 2004

Lay Director Paul Sabatier-Smith opened this Saturday morning retreat held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church with prayer. He indicated that this was just a “get together”, and shared his desire that this continue approximately every six months. He reminded us that we are all leaders.

Paul shared a meditation on the Tower of Babel from Scripture. He made the point that even a team that came together can fail if they lose their vision. Paul also shared that he believes in John Maxwell’s teachings on leadership. He then distributed a copy of the book Bait of Satan to each member. He told us that he intended to use a chapter from this book as a meditation at the next several meetings. He summarized the first chapter, then divided us into four groups to discuss the questions

1) Have I been offended this week?

2) How did I respond?

One representative from each group then shared about the group’s discussion.

Paul next shared that he felt the best description of the recent NLS Conference was WOW! The theme was “Created, Called, and Commissioned”. About 210 attended, with 90 of these as delegates. Daily newsletters from the Conference are available on the National website. He then gave the other attendees (Barbara Fox, Betts Huntley, and Bill Sistar) a chance to share. Paul said that one of the presentations on “Essentials” will be discussed later, and possibly, a special presentation made at the Leader’s Workshop on Sept. 11. He also indicated there will be a presentation on Sponsorship at that workshop. 

Paul asked the group what is the purpose of Via De Cristo? Several shared their thoughts. Paul then shared the purpose as written in our bylaws and from the National Secretariat document “The Essentials of the Via de Cristo”.

Sonbeam By-Laws:

Article I – Purpose, essence, Basis and Norms

“…. Sonbeam, has been organized to develop in Christians a consciousness of their power and mission to be true leaders in Christian Ministry, and the desire to continue to live the life of Grace, personally and together with their brothers and sisters in Christ. …”

The Essentials of the Via de Cristo (from NLS)

Chapter 2 - Mission Statement and Purpose

“The Mission Statement of Via de Cristo:

By grace with the Holy Spirit, we challenge leaders to discover and achieve their personal calling, assisting them to influence their environments with the Gospel.”

“In summary, Via de Cristo is both a movement and a method. The purpose of the movement is to form within the Church small groups of committed leaders that will evangelize their environments with the Gospel. Via de Cristo purposes to provide a workable structure that helps leaders live what is fundamental to being a Christian by committing themselves to the means of grace in Word and Sacrament to small group dynamics and to personal growth through Piety, Study and Apostolic Action.

In Via de Cristo we have found that a person will:

1) experience more joy, happiness and satisfaction from the Christian faith

2) experience a closer walk with Jesus

3) develop a more joyous fellowship with brother and sister Christians

4) find sharing faith with others easier and more enjoyable

After a discussion on possible meeting dates between Ultreya day meetings, Paul asked the group to email him with thoughts. We then viewed the training video “Who Moved My Cheese”. This was about adjusting to change, and through cartoon characters portrayed the 4 types of people. Some accept change. Some reject change. Some are OK with how things are, but could accept change. Some waver back and forth.

After a short discussion of when we will meet next, Paul said he will be in touch. He closed in prayer promptly at noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Don Kragh, Secretary