The Renewal Retreat process was developed in the 1980s by the Reverend Les Scarborough of John Mark Ministries as one way of contributing to the ongoing health and vitality of Christian ministers and leaders. His model, strengthened and enhanced in recent years by Tim Dyer of the John Mark Extension, who is a trainer of church consultants, mentors and leaders, has now spread through 10 denominations and is functioning in all Australian states.
Some retreats are cross-denominational and others are facilitated within their own denomination. It is a unique process which has been recognised by many people involved in ministry as one of the reasons they survived difficult seasons of ministry, as well as providing them with healthy self-care strategies. We know anecdotally that for each cycle of three years, between one and two pastors indicate they would have left ministry if it were not for their participation in such a group.
The first group to be held in Melbourne, which consisted of Anglican male clergy, began its 3 year cycle in 1994. The second group, which followed, was made up of clergy spouses. Those attending now include women and men in active ministry as well as clergy spouses. Because of the intimate sharing involved the policy is to have separate groups for men and women.