by Rev. Dr. David Peppler, Sr.

“You can actually get a group of pastors to be quiet for 72 hours?” Well, yes and no.

When I tell people I lead silent retreats, particularly for ministers, I certainly pique the interest of my listeners—and they often chuckle at the thought. But people are genuinely intrigued to know how a silent retreat works and what benefits it brings.

The Gathering of Silence, for example, has optional talking times each evening where attendees reflect on the meditation materials I’ve given them. They often also share some questions or issues they are experiencing and want to glean wisdom from a collective group of peers. I also offer coaching sessions to anyone attending who could use some focused time of discernment. The remainder of the time we share at CrossRoads Camp is spent in silence.

What is the purpose of a silent retreat? As a spiritual guide, the retreats I lead have one primary purpose that provides many benefits. The first and foremost goal of a spiritual silent retreat is for the participant(s) to strengthen their relationship with God. It is the art of taking your relationship with the Lord and moving it up a notch or two. In any relationship, quality time together enhances the already present bond. What I have discovered over time is that we sometimes need focused quantity time to experience the quality time we seek. When we emerge with a stronger connection, the primary purpose has been accomplished.

Silence is frequently referred to as solitude. My definitions do not equate the two. For me, silence is an internal activity. It is a quieting of the mind and spirit. It allows the tensions, concerns, worries, and even joys to step aside while you give yourself some time for real peace. In Nurturing Silence in a Noisy Heart, Wayne Oates describes it as mentally dismissing noises, one at a time, including physical, emotional, and internal noises that are occupying your thoughts. This activity is nearly identical to many centering prayer activities you may have experienced.

Solitude is time spent alone with God. Connection is its primary purpose. This time is mainly understood as a prayer time but does not necessarily have to include it. It could be a time of focused meditation. For example, often when I am on retreat in nature settings, I will spend time in solitude by observing and intentionally thanking God for what I am seeing. I find the awareness of my surroundings increases, and all my senses come alive more than usual. I take in creation and share the joy God must have experienced whenever the words were uttered, “It is good.”  

The benefits of silent retreats can be limitless. The feedbackI receive from participants is mostly about how God helped them in a matter of discernment. Intentional solitude with God can become intense time with God.Then, when a person takes on the posture of listening for God’s guidance, the awareness of God’s presence tends to increase rapidly. This is where many people experience God’s clear whisper. Some hear an audible voice. Some experience God’s reasoning in reading scripture. Some experience dreams. Some hear God’s explicit instruction in a moment of holy conversation, perhaps with a fellow pilgrim.

Discernment is gaining an understanding of God’s intentions or desires for you. Some describe this as an answer to prayer. Others sense God’s help for decision making. I have led many through a discernment process that helps them discern God’s call for their lives, whether vocational or otherwise. Regardless of its labeling, discernment is experienced as one watches a fog lift or possibly a fast-moving act of revelation. It is the alignment of your heart with God’s heart and your mind with God’s. You are opening yourself fully to God’s will and agree to follow the path now being shown to you.  

Another frequently experienced benefit of silent retreats is that they sound simple yet are profound. I have listened to many people describe a new commitment to Christ. Many find themselves so newly opened up toGod that what they experience is like a rebirth. Some call this rededication. Others say it is the profound presence of God that has overwhelmed their hearts to new levels.

I have witnessed all these things and many more in laypersons and clergy. I have heard stories from people explaining their new call from above that they may not have heard had they not experienced this specific time alone with God. Some have entered ministry from silent retreats, while others have learned how to be better Christian employees where they work.Many have decided to become more active in their church, while others have realized it is time to change their affiliations. All have one particular thing in common: they credit the unique experience with God through time spent in their silent retreat.

It is a tremendously humbling honor to be called to lead such retreats. The reward is seeing lives changed as people from all walks of life almost universally speak of their new or renewed closeness with God. It is a joy to be a guide for this process for individuals, groups, teams, and congregations. I can never promise the results. But I have also never seen God fail to deliver to those who wisely use their time in silence!

Rev. Dr. David Peppler, Sr. is founder of PeptalkMinistries and also currently serves as interim pastor at First Baptist Church of Herndon, VA, a BGAV-participating congregation. You can reach him here. You can also register here for this fall’s Gathering of Silence retreat September 30 – October 3.

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