“I’m a fan of me, Jesus, and a candle,” Carolyn Arends said with a smile in her conversation this week with Nathan Foster on the Renovaré Podcast. ​“But there’s something quite intriguing, isn’t there, about what the contemplative stream looks like with other people.”

As Jesus showed us, alone time with God — ​“withdrawing to the wilderness” (Luke 5:16) — is essential. He also showed us a way to be ​“alone together.” In reviewing a familiar Scripture passage from Mark 6, something new caught my attention:

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while…and they went away.”

Note the plural pronouns. It appears the disciples did this together. 

There are a variety of ways to be alone together: a few minutes of silence with your family on the couch; a group silent retreat (which has a substance to it that’s different from a solo retreat); or a formal program that includes contemplative elements. 

For that last category, two specific opportunities are worth mentioning… 

The first is available to anyone. The next cohort of the two-year Renovaré Institute begins this fall and the application deadline is February 1. It’s our ​“immersion program” into life with Jesus in the Kingdom of God.

The second is for pastors. Westmont University has created a program called Next Frontiers to help mid-career pastors thrive during times of transition in ministry by reimagining pastoral identity, fostering spiritual renewal, and engaging in meaningful relationships with veteran ministers like Trevor Hudson and Mimi Dixon. If you are a pastor (or know of one) who desires a fruitful ​“long obedience” in the pastorate, this may be worth exploring.