Dr. R. Paul Stevens Vocational Discernment Retreat

Vocation, Work and Ministry: Finding Your Personal Calling

Offered by Vocatio Creation and HKPES
21-23 November 2008

In today’s world most people are in fairly continuous vocational transition. Vocational decision-making is then not a once-for-all event but a lifetime process. In such a mobile society we must grasp the heart of vocational living as a continuous process of discerning God’s will and purpose.

But for some Christians, concern “to be in the center of God’s will” leads to guidance anxiety. A plan, like a blueprint, is something that we must follow in slavish detail. But God does not have a wonderful plan for our lives. He has something far better – a wonderful purpose! A purpose is like a fast-flowing stream that carries a boat along, within which life is full of decisions, adjustments, redirections, mistakes and even second chances. God’s primary concern is not that we fit like pegs in their proper slots but that we become people who love God, neighbors and God’s creation.

And God’s will is not hard to find. Guidance is essentially a pagan concept. What Scripture offers is better than guidance; it offers the Guide. The Bible is more concerned with our relationship to the Guide than our being in “the center of his will,” a concept not actually found in the Bible but promoted by popular Christianity. Lacking signs and supernatural direction, Christians can still confidently move forward in their lives for good reason – if they are prepared to engage in a lifetime journey of discerning their own personal calling.

When

21-23 November 2008, Friday 9.00am – Sunday 12.00noon

Where

Breakthrough Youth Village (突破青年村), 33, A Kung Kok Shan Road, Shatin, N.T. Please click here for a location map.

Description

This weekend is a reflective experience in discernment of the way you have been made and the path to which the Creator and Shepherd of your life is leading. While some of the application will concern finding or remaining in suitable work/ministry, the emphasis will be larger and deeper than finding the right job. We will approach the weekend with the largest understanding of calling: to participate in God’s grand purpose and to live and work wholeheartedly and fruitfully for Him. There will be a balance of teaching, workshop exercise, small group interaction and guided personal solitude.

Facilitators

R. Paul Stevens, Professor Emeritus of Marketplace Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, BC
Philip Wu, Career consultant and coach

Tentative Schedule

(Note: Stevens’ sessions will be conducted in English only whereas Wu’s are in Cantonese)

Cost

Practitioners: $2,200
Pastors, Christian workers, or seminarians: $2,000
CGST alumni: $1,800

Cost includes all materials and 4 meals. $200 will be added for registrations received after November 11. There is limited accommodation (quad room) for resident participants. Please enquire us for the rate.

Advance Readings

Participants will be advised of the assigned readings upon successful registration and will need to read them in advance of the retreat.

Register

To register, please download the retreat brochure here and return the registration form with your cheque payment made payable to Vocatio Creation Limited to Suite A, 12/F, Empire Land Commercial Centre, 81-85 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Alternatively you may deposit the fees into our Hang Seng Bank account 768-121790-883 and fax us the payment slip together with the form. An email confirmation will be sent to you upon successful registration. No refund will be considered after registration but transfer is permitted upon our prior approval.

For further information, please contact us at:

Tel: (852) 2144 4900
Fax: (852) 3575 7414
Email: rps@vocatiocreation.com.hk
URL: www.vocatiocreation.com.hk

General Terms & Conditions

Application & Payment

1. Please send the registration form with your payment in crossed cheque payable to “Vocatio Creation Limited” to: Suite A, 12/F, Empire Land Commercial Centre, 81-85 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Alternatively you may deposit the fees into our Hang Seng Bank account: 768-121790-883. Please fax the payment slip, your name and contact number to us at (852) 2144-4900. Please note we do not accept applications in person at our above mailing address.
2. If you enroll in more than one person, please fill out a separate registration form for each applicant. Please list out all the applicants on the bank receipt or on the back of the cheque.
3. Registration is complete only if it is accompanied by full payment. Fees paid are not refundable. Fees will only be refunded if the retreat is full or cancelled. No refund will be considered after registration but transfer is permitted upon our prior approval.

Admission

1. Admission is made on a first-come first-served basis. Late applications will only be considered if there are still vacant places.
2. We reserve the right to cancel the event if there is insufficient enrolment or unforeseen difficulties arising from mounting the retreat. We may, at our discretion, refuse to admit an applicant.
3. Your admission will be confirmed by email, but we shall not be responsible for any delivery failure. Please contact us if you do not receive our confirmation 5 days before the event starting date.
4. We will make every effort to ensure that the retreat meet at the place and time advertised, and with the same speaker(s). However, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary.  

Adverse Weather Arrangements

If the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or the Typhoon Signal No.8 or above is hoisted at the following hours, the retreat will be suspended as below: