I began exploring the idea of an online retreat with some skepticism. Having read your comments and spent a number of hours looking around on the internet, I am now convinced that some kind of online retreat experience is not only possible but desirable. An online retreat will never replace the robust experience of getting away to a new location and meeting people in-person, but it might provide a valuable alternative to that.
For one thing, traditional retreats are expensive. Most people can only afford to attend a few of them. Some cannot go at all. And there may be other factors that prevent people from going to retreats. Some sort of online version of a retreat might meet some real needs.
Before I outline an imaginary online retreat for you, let me mention something I think is important.
While an online retreat will involve technology, it should use the simplest forms of technology possible. Technological tools that require software installations or are tied to some particular social media form would be too limiting. The model I’m proposing would require only a modest set of internet skills. Individual participants would be encouraged to use their social media connections on their own. That kind of thing would greatly enhance the retreat but would not be a requirement.
Enough talk. Here’s how I imagine an online retreat might look.
1. Registration
There would be a registration process. If a small fee were required, this is where you pay it. If I had to guess at a fee, I would think it would be around $25. When you register, you would create a user account and fill out a profile. This profile would include ways that other retreatants could connect with you – your email address, phone number, skype account, IM account, Facebook, Twitter, etc. None of these would be required, of course. You would choose how much you want to share. And you could update your page during the retreat if you wish.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDED: A website with registration capability, possibly with online payment capability.
2. Opening Session – Sunday Night
The first session of the retreat would be a live video from the retreat leader(s). A speaker would be introduced. Some details and instructions would be addressed. Those watching the video stream would be able to ask questions with a process like instant messaging. The speaker would present the first session.
The live video would not be recorded. Retreatants would have to be online to be part of this event. If someone can’t attend, that’s okay. But, as it is with live retreats, if you miss a session, you just miss it.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDED: Live video feed with feedback capability. Currently we are considering webex, which the HEB foundation pays for and has access to. For the initial session, only the presenter would have video showing.
3. The Chat Room Opens
After the first session, a chat room would be open for those who wish to use it. This room would remain open at all times throughout the retreat. If people want to connect in other ways, they could use the information in their profiles to connect with Skype, IM, email, or even by phone. Some might not want to interact at all. That’s fine too.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDED: A chat room with access limited to those in the retreat.
4. Exercises – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
On Monday morning, a web page would appear on the retreat website. This page would only be available to those on the retreat. This page would contain exercises and information particular to the retreat. It could contain artwork, poetry, readings, instructions for prayer exercises, videos, etc. Retreatants would visit this page whenever they could on Monday and work through the exercises outline on it.
Feedback on this page would be greatly encouraged. Comments (both video comments and written comments) would be collected. People could share their experiences in going through the exercises. Their feedback would become part of the experience for the next person who visits the page. Retreatants could come back to the page on Monday, replying to comments and being part of a conversation.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, new exercise pages would come online. Retreatants would visit them and go through the exercises on those days.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDED: A website capable of displaying video and receiving comments.
5. Session Two – Wednesday
On Wednesday evening there would be a second live video event. This event would be like the first one. The speaker would offer a presentation of some kind. It is possible that music could be involved in these live events as well.
The leader of the retreat, having gotten to know people since Sunday, might be able to expand this session with some increased interaction with those watching. Questions or comments could by typed live. The speaker could respond.
While the chat room would be open all the time, after this event there would be a special invitation to interact there. The speaker would likely be involved. As throughout the retreat, people could connect using their own methods as well.
6. Exercises – Thursday and Friday
Another series of exercises would go online each of these days. People would interact with them and with each other as they have all week long.
7. Closing Event & Worship – Friday Night
Retreatants gather for another live video feed. The speaker would make his or her last presentation. In this last gathering, we could turn on video feeds for all involved, creating a video conference. Participation in the video feed would be optional, of course. I’ve not experienced worship in this way, but perhaps there would be singing and praying and other forms of worship.
We would close by giving people a chance to talk for a few minutes about what the retreat has meant to them.
TECHNOLOGY NEEDED: Video conferencing. The same Webex technology that we used in the first two sessions could be expanded for this last session.
8. Live Gatherings
Live gatherings would be an important part of these retreats, but they would not be organized by the leaders of the retreat. The retreatants could meet in person after the retreat in whatever ways are available to them. Friends might go through the retreat and meet every day for lunch during that week. People who live near each other might plan to go through the retreat together and meet up at the end.
9. Post Retreat Archive
A closing web page for the retreat would be provided where people could leave final comments and post pictures or videos of their live gatherings. Retreatants could return to the archive and revisit the exercise pages. Profile pages would be available for those who want to reconnect at later times. If anyone wishes to delete or change their profile information, they would be free to do that.
A Word about Privacy
For the comfort level of those wishing privacy, anyone involved would be able to delete their user account at any time. Immediately, all comments and input offered by that user would be deleted. It’s not anticipated that anyone would want to do this, but perhaps it would be a comfort to know that it could be done.
Let me know what you think. Keep talking to me in the comments. This is just a model of what might be.
———–Gordon
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this would be appealing to a certain type of communicator.
and woud tie-in with others that also would like this.
a very well thought-out and doable plan.
Gordon,
This sounds very do-able. I am game to try it. The only thing I would note is that you might wish to advise attendees of minimum computer requirements. For example: do they need a web cam? Would this Webex technology need a minimum video card/memory requirement? (I know that my main Mac desktop could support just about any technology you throw at it , but my little netbook couldn’t handle much.) Would there be a person they could call if they are having trouble getting the technology to integrate? In that vein as well, it might help if there is a day before it all officially “starting” for retreat goers to get the technology needs ironed out and ready to go- a test run. That way once the retreat actually starts, the participants wouldn’t have to be worried about participating, technology wise.
Hmm… this sounds excellent, especially for people who would not be able to attend live retreats because of physical or social disabilities, or threat of contagion, or any of a long list that occurs to me (I think even of foreign missionaries who are often isolated in their ministries and would welcome the chance of refreshment. With current technology many of them would also be able to attend).
This may not appeal to people who are capable of going to a full fledged retreat, unless they view it as another sort of ministry. But, then the point is that it is another way, and not a substitution. As with anything, some are reached where others are not. And that should be seen as a good thing when the “some” are those who have limited options otherwise. Of course, that this idea gives people a chance to minister and encourage one another is the best part! I would definitely love to participate.
What a well thought out plan, I have to admit that when I read the title of this post I snickered. I thought it silly to try an online retreat…it seemed too…”distant” to work.
However, after reading it through a couple of times I’ve changed my mind. Although it couldn’t replace the beauty of going away with individuals and touching hearts, I do believe it would be a worthwhile event.
Peace,
Jay
A lot of thought has gone into this. I particularly like the provision for live video event(s).
Some random thoughts:
Curious as to why live video events would not be recorded.
As part of the registration particulars, I would want to know objectives and be able to see a schedule of activities, and also have some sense of time involved so that “attendance” can be accommodated appropriately.
For purposes of exercises: would there be a way if an exercise is started but needs to be completed later to save what was done and then pick up from there? Would some exercises be recommended and others desirable but perhaps not necessary to get the most out of the retreat? Would exercises be both individual and group?
Will the retreat have a theme and will that theme be reflected in the exercises?
Having a chat room is a good idea. It might be helpful to organize it so that people can discuss each day’s activities independent of the other days’, plus a place to offer resources, etc. For example, one in which I was involved had a practice circle for each day’s activities, a place for technical issues and Q/A, a place for sharing that was not related to the day’s activities, and a resources section to which anyone could contribute.
Will you provide for a post-retreat online evaluation?
For how long a period would the archive be open (most I know of maintain for about 6 months).
The only drawback for me would be that unless I took a week off work, my retreat time would be interrupted by work, etc. For retreats, I prefer concentrated time where I have time set aside to just focus on “retreating”. On the other hand, it might be something to look forward to at the end of each day. And for the times that I can’t afford to go away, I might just schedule the week off and do the retreat at home. I’ve done staycations before and they are relaxing.
Pat’s comments on work make me think of the Busy Person’s Retreat, which is about the same length and contains similar elements, but configured for people who are working and busy. This might require recording the speaker sessions but only leaving them up for one day so that employees could watch it before work, at lunch, or that evening.
On a very different note, I could see a second retreat in the year where this is all fit into a day retreat. One day where participants take off work and fully attend (including online and offline activities) for the entire day.
This is so exciting! The model sounds very inviting to me. I like what Sam says about leaving the sessions up for those who can only be available at certain times. Though the goal would be for one continuous retreat experience, I can see the practicality in that. We can take from it what we are able to that way.
Keep us posted!
Beyond mini-retreats or prayer activities online, I’ve never encountered anything like this. I think it is a terrific idea and worth pursuing. You’ve done great work with developing it and I particularly like the idea of actually doing it with people one knows (i.e. church small group, friends, etc) and connecting with them in person during the week.
Impressive! Program planning is in my blood. I love the challenge of finding new ways to serve needs and keep people connected for the growth of the Body.
I used to serve as program/worshop planner for a major university and have also written about email small groups (http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2002/winter/12.85.html), so I am following with great interest your efforts and planning here. You’ve really thought through the details, including the cautions and escape routes. Excellent, excellent!
Marilyn, I just took a look at your article on e-mail small groups and I love that idea!
Thanks. The article is 8 years old and we’ve done quite a few groups since then, but I’m intrigued by what you are working on and am glad I stumbled upon this site. I’ve been folllowing in iGoogle Reader for a couple of weeks and enjoying the voices here.