Sharing the Journey (Part One)

The first dynamic in a transformational community gathering is connecting with one another by genuinely relating with compassionate courage. Listen to the podcast interview (part one) in Resource Section.

·      Why relating is important - Hebrews 10:24-25
We are all created by God to live in community. It is not good for humans to be alone and we must strive to stay connected to one another. We need to resist the temptation to isolate ourselves, especially when we are hurt or fearful. The lies of the evil one(s) that harden our hearts only work when we are disconnected from community. Our hearts need ongoing encouragement to stay tender and selfless.

·      How to facilitate relating - Acts 20:28
 We, as shepherds, are to be feeding and teaching the flock under our care and make our primary goal to love well. (1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Peter 3:1-5) To be the kind of servant who does not control people out of pride or insecurity, but loves them well, will require us to know the true condition of our people as well as our lives. Are they/we encouraged in heart and united in love - what’s really happening spiritually and relationally? (Colossians 1:28-2:3, Philippians 2:1)

·      The following two questions are helpful in facilitating the process of relating:

1.    How do you interact with others and impact the group atmosphere?

2.    How are you helping others participate and see their style of relating?

·      Take some time to discuss your personal and relational challenges as you head into 2015. How would you assess the true condition of your life and ministry?

·      Haven for the Heart has a two step strategy where we help leaders experience a haven for their hearts and become equipped to be a haven for the hearts of others. We hope that you and your spouse or ministry team will take advantage of a Haven for the Heart retreat. During a Haven for the Heart retreat we will cover in further detail each of the 3 dynamics of the CPR process.

Entering the Battle(Part Two)

The second dynamic for facilitating transformational communities is pursuing the truth by honestly reflecting on God’s revelation and our realities. Listen to the podcast interview (part two) in our resource section.

·      Why reflecting on truth is important - John 8:31-32, Romans 12:2
No substantial or lasting transformation occurs without accurately understanding and believing the truth. If truth doesn’t penetrate the issues of the heart there will be no real fruit. As leaders we must honestly and consistently reflect on our lives and doctrine (who we are and what we teach). We must study to show ourselves approved as a pastor who rightly handles the word of God.

·      How to facilitate heart reflection on truth - Proverbs 20:5, James 1:19
There are two key questions you should be asking to help facilitate a biblical discussion that addresses heart issues.

1. What’s going on inside of us as we reflect on these truths?

2. How am I drawing out our real thoughts and feelings?

·      The book, Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp,  is a great resource to draw upon and discuss in your cluster groups and points you to some core biblical truths that can transform our lives and ministries. What truths have encouraged or challenged you the most in this book? What do you anticipate being most helpful or difficult as you discuss the book, A Work of Heart by Reggie McNeal?

·      Haven for the Heart has a two step strategy where we help leaders experience a haven for their hearts and become equipped to be a haven for the hearts of others. We hope that you and your spouse or ministry team will take advantage of a Haven for the Heart retreat. During a Haven for the Heart retreat we will cover in further detail each of the 3 dynamics of the CPR process.

Walking with God (Part Three)

The third dynamic to ensure that community gatherings will lead to authentic life change and ministry effectiveness is to motivate response toward God and others. Listen to podcast interview (part three) in our resource section.

·      Why responding in trust and obedience is important - Hebrews 10:24, James 1:23-25 A community must spur each other on toward maturity. If we merely discuss the truth and do not do what it says, we become hypocrites and deceive ourselves.

·      How to facilitate responsiveness toward God and others - Phil. 3:12-14, Ps 51:12-13 I’ve given you two questions that help make action steps very personal and specific.

1. What is God calling us to do in relationship to Him and others?

2. How do I invite others to respond toward God in a more restful and risky way?

·      Find a friend this week and discuss issues of your heart and how you want to make movement toward God and others. Pray together for the help of the Holy Spirit as you do this.

·      Haven for the Heart has a two step strategy where we help leaders experience a haven for their hearts and become equipped to be a haven for the hearts of others. We hope that you and your spouse or ministry team will take advantage of a Haven for the Heart retreat. During a Haven for the Heart retreat we will cover in further detail each of the 3 dynamics of the CPR process.

2015 Focus on our Prayer Advisory Support Team (P.A.S.T.)

2015 Focus on our Prayer Advisory Support Team (P.A.S.T.)

The Lord confirmed one thing and directed me to do one thing while I was in solitude and silence at a recent prayer retreat.

·      He strongly confirmed our calling to be a haven for people’s hearts who are devoted to being a haven for the hearts of others.  The assurance He has given us is not that He will meet all our needs in the way we define them, but that what he provides is what He believes we need! He wants u to be thankfully content and live with hearts of simplicity and generosity!

·      He clearly guided me to not worry about building His Kingdom, he’s well able to do His job! Pam and I are to invest in you – our P.A.S.T.! He is planning to expand His kingdom and build His church through you!! We are to be a blessing to you as you continue to be a blessing to others.

There will be three ways we will be investing in you:

·      Resources that will help you in your life and ministry as well as to help you understand how each of us can do CPR. Keep reading our newsletters and blogs and listen to our podcosts!

·      Prayer in faith is more powerful than anything! Please let us know how we can fight the spiritual battle with you.  We would love the opportunity to know how we can specifically pray for you.

·      Visits to see us or from us! Face to face connection is always the best, but phone calls or skype help too.  Come to a Haven retreat for yourselves, or bring another couple or individual who you are mentoring or connecting with in community.  We’d be willing to go to you and do a regional retreat with you and some of your friends or leaders in your community.

There will be three ways you can invest in Haven for the Heart:

·      Prayer – Your prayer for us, and those we serve impacts everything!  I can’t over emphasize this! Apart from God working in us and through us, nothing beneficial will be accomplished. We will spend specific prayer requests out on a regular basis to those on our Prayer Advisory Support Team (PAST).  If you are interested in being a part of this please let us know.

·      Advise – We need ongoing encouragement and wisdom for our own lives and those we serve. Please share your thoughts with us.

·      Support – We highly value those who help us with technology, mechanical, Haven maintenance, business and administrative needs, etc. Your financial support is also vital to the ongoing ministry of Haven for the Heart.  We are so grateful to our generous financial supporters.  A sincere thank you to all who have given in any of these capacities in 2014.  Please pray about and consider how you can partner with us in 2015.

Never Alone, Mike & Pam  (dittman@havenfortheheart.com ) 

                                                   Mike-267-994-9116 Pam-267-994-9115

Reflection on my Birthday: Getting Older - Growing Wiser! Really?

Reflections on my Birthday:  Getting Older – Growing Wiser!  Really?

“Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you so much! I am so proud to call you MY Dad! I look up to you so much. You are the most determined, godly and loving guy that I know! I am so proud of you working so hard with Haven! I love seeing you doing what you do best, loving and serving the church. Thanks for always being there for me! I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have you in my life! Love, Kylie”

I’m sure many of you have received birthday wishes similar to the one I received from my daughter this year. I read words like this from her and am humbled. I know I fail in many ways, but even in my shortcomings God chooses to use the work He is doing in my life to somehow encourage others. I can’t imagine a better gift than to see that my life is being used by God for an eternal purpose. Any of us parents, and especially those of us who are in the daily challenges of pastoring, feel so humbled and grateful when our children (and those we shepherd) want to follow God rather than live for the pleasures of a temporary world, become bitter about their upbringing, or simply disillusioned with Jesus or His church. Believe me, Pam and I walk along side many parents and pastors who have a very different story!

There has been a lot that has challenged me and changed as I grow older.  Here are a few thoughts from a very long list of things the Lord has been revealing to me.

·      I used to have a lot of opinions that I knew were right!  I now have a few convictions I believe deeply - shift from insecure dogmatism or arrogant defensiveness to a quiet confidence. God uses the humble, broken and weak to show His glory!

·      I thought I was a great guy since the outside stuff looked good, but God has graciously given me a glimpse into what He sees on the inside.  “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart!”

·      I thought Pam was getting quite the deal when we got married, only to realize that God graciously gave me someone I did not deserve! She has truly modeled the character of Jesus to me.

I’m beginning to understand what a wise old sage told me when I was in college.  “God does His greatest work in us during the first half of our lives and does His greatest work through our lives during the second half of our lives.”  Though this is not true for everyone, I do believe that Pam’s and my most fruitful years are right around the corner and most joyful years will be in eternity!  When I coached and played basketball I realized that you never win the game in the first half.  That is also why genuinely good philosophers, poets, presidents and pastors are usually older and do their best work in the last half of their lives.  It takes a relatively short amount of time to accumulate knowledge and skill, but a lifetime of struggle to gain wisdom and maturity!

Dear Friends,

Excitement on the Family Front

The New Year is off to a great start on many levels!  We are so excited to welcome our third granddaughter, Macy Jo, into our family!  Andrew and Jodi, along with precious Macy, are doing great!  Kylie and Pam were able to take a trip out to Pennsylvania to spend time with them and Mike plans on travelling out to see them soon as well.  We are so blessed to have Macy in our family!

Testimony from Pastor Jeff Jones

Mike has been doing leadership training and team development for several pastors in a variety of denominational settings.  An Evangelical Free Church in New England had Mike work with their pastors and elders.  Here’s what the pastor of Family Life Ministry said about that retreat:

Mike Dittman and Haven for the Heart has easily become the best resource that I have in life and ministry! Our church has experienced steady numerical growth over the last few years and our leadership team has struggled to keep relationships a priority. I have read books, listened to podcasts, attended conferences, webinars, retreats, seminars, workshops…you name it, but nothing has come close to providing direction and encouragement like Haven for the Heart.

“Our elders and pastors were privileged to have Mike lead a retreat to address our church’s specific needs. During this time, Mike truly listened to the unique obstacles that our church was facing and challenged us individually and collectively in very personal and practical ways in how to shepherd the flock under our care. Mike’s biblical understanding, ministry experience and heart for Jesus’ bride makes him a partner to our ministry unlike any other resources that we use. The CPR process that Mike walked us through was simple, yet deeply impactful and can be translated into any ministry environment in our church. Since our Haven for the Heart retreat, I’ve noticed that our leadership team has related more intimately, communicated more effectively and are leading more intentionally than ever! I am very thankful for the truly one-of-a-kind ministry of Haven for the Heart. I’m excited about partnering further with Mike and Pam as the Lord continues to work in our church and community!”  - Jeff Jones (Family Life Pastor)

Leadership Training Retreat

Mike will be traveling to Indiana next week where he will be doing some intensive training for pastors in the United Brethren Church.  He’s been helping them to build healthy churches by training leaders to cultivate transformational and missional communities.  Mike will be doing an interactive teaching session titled, “CPR for the Soul”, followed by a modeling demonstration of the skills and dynamics used in this process. After the opportunity to see and experience the CPR process, he will conclude with a time of discussion and answer questions. He will let you know how that went in our next newsletter.

We are thankful for each of you and praying that the upcoming year will be one that deepens your relationship with Jesus and those you walk through life with.

Never Alone,

The Dittmans

Stepping into 2015

Here we are stepping into 2015 and with gratefulness anticipating another year of God using Haven for the Heart to strengthen ministries, marriages and individual hearts toward deeper connection with the Lord and one another.  So many in leadership are struggling and simply need a safe setting to share their hearts and move forward in their relationships and ministries.  It is our passion to provide a Haven where others feel safe to share their hearts with a couple who know the challenges of ministry and truly care about the challenges they are facing. There have been many opportunities in this past year to do this very thing and we are so thankful for the growing team of partners in this endeavor.  

What are others saying about Haven for the Heart?

“At various points, Dr. Mike Dittman and Pam have been an influential part of my life for the past thirty years.  Mike pastored me so well when I was in college, and today he and Pam’s marriage, life, and ministry continue to challenge and inspire me.  Their emphasis on refusing to accept anything less than authentic community is a biblical and prophetic message in a culture that is becoming increasingly alienated and superficial.  They are both gifted teachers, but their ministry is also one of “presence.”  You have to spend time with them in the same room to “get” it.  Though there are literally hundreds of people who do what I do, I don’t know of a single other couple that does precisely what Mike and Pam do.  That is why I am so eager to support their ministry and encourage others to be as blessed as I have by sitting under their teaching and counsel.” - Gary Thomas (author/speaker)

“After two decades in ministry, I’d gained a respectable level of proficiency, a solid reputation, and the trust of many. But truth be known, I was exhausted and losing touch with my call.  I was surviving, but barely. I was badly in need of spiritual CPR. I got exactly that and more after spending several days with Mike. If you need your heart revived, and your sense of call renewed, contact Haven for the Heart right away.” - Ken Jones (pastor)

“Words fail us; we cannot thank you enough for hearing our story, loving us and pouring into our lives. We are forever grateful. Thank you for your beautiful ministry. The accommodations were absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have been any more comfortable and relaxed. Thank you for each wonderful detail and for the delicious food. We intend to take what you have given us and continue to allow God to bless our broken road and use us for His glory. Our “beautiful mess” is for His purpose and glory. You will be in our hearts and in our prayers. Believing God to continue to pour into you and anoint you so that you can continue to hugely impact others as you have us. We love you and your family.” 

- Pastoral Couple who participated in a Haven for the Heart Retreat

Experience a Haven for the Heart Retreat in 2015

We have found that as much as individuals and couples long for a safe haven to share the battles they face in their relationships and ministries, they also long to learn how to offer a haven for the hearts of others.  Join us for a Haven for the Heart Retreat to do this very thing! Come as a individual, couple, small group of ministry team. 

*Click here to learn more about what a Haven for the Heart Retreat can offer YOU!

Haven for the Heart Leadership Training Seminars & Mentoring Workshops

Mike will be doing several leadership training seminars and mentoring workshops to instruct and model how to do the CPR process.  We want to help others build communities (marriages, teams, groups and churches) that are genuinely transformational and missional.  Contact Mike for details.

*Click here to listen to several short podcasts interviews about facilitating life changing groups and the CPR process.

What’s Happening Right Here in Michigan?

Mike plans on offering a Connections Class at Grace Community Church in Commerce, Michigan as well coaching clinics for leaders from a wide range of ministries in our community.

We’re Here for You

If you or someone you know wants to experience the CPR process or be equipped to lead transformational communities, we would love to be a Haven for your Heart so that you can be a Haven for the Hearts of others!

Please be a part of our P.A.S.T.

Our Prayer Advisory Support team provides the personal and financial backing that frees us to invest in the lives of others.  We truly need you in a variety of ways!  Please consider joining our P.A.S.T.!