Time Away: A Guide for Personal Retreat

"Come away with me and rest for a while," Jesus said to his disciples. Sometimes we need a break from our busy lives just to take time to be, but more important, to listen to God.

Time Away details the joys, challenges, and benefits of a personal retreat. This book's step-by-step instructions will enable anyone--from first-timer to veteran--to make the most of dedicated time with God.

Chapters cover these topics:

The book includes helpful appendixes that include lesson plans for a class on personal retreats, liturgies for use with groups on retreat, and descriptions of a retreat leader's tasks.

Time Away is an indispensable handbook for ministers and other retreat leaders, as well as any individual who wants to go on a personal retreat. Enjoy your time away with God!

Ben Campbell Johnson (1932-2016), professor emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Dr. Johnson was widely known for his work in church renewal movements and interfaith relations. He served as pastor of United Methodist churches in Kentucky and Alabama and as interim pastor of two Presbyterian churches in Georgia. In 1963 Dr. Johnson founded and served as director of the Institute for Church Renewal in Atlanta. In 1981 he joined the faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary as professor of evangelism and church growth. In 1995 he became professor of spirituality, retiring in 2000. A prolific writer, Dr. Johnson authored more than 40 books on evangelism, prayer, and spirituality, including Calming the Restless Spirit (Upper Room Books, 1997) and A Seeker's Guide to Christian Faith (Upper Room Books, 2000). After retirement he continued writing and devoting energy to interfaith relationships. He was an advisory board member of the Interfaith Community Initiatives, the Clarkston Community Health Center, and other interfaith programs in the Atlanta area.

Rev. Dr. Paul H. Lang is head of staff at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo, North Dakota. He is executive director of the Institute of Church Renewal.