Most local speakers do not charge a set fee but work with the church on the amount. What is reasonable? Find out what a speaker normally is paid in your area for a luncheon and multiply by the number of messages. Explain to the speaker if you have a limited budget, and she may be willing to speak for less. Work out these details up front.

Where can you find speakers?
Your location and size will determine much of the resources available to you. In the “Bible Belt,” it is difficult not to find any number of qualified speakers. But across America, seminaries, Bible colleges, large churches and parachurch ministries may have resources to help you. Network with other local or regional churches, or within your denomination.

Ministry is about people — not programs. And your speaker is key to your retreat’s success.

Kelley Mathews, Th.M. (Dallas Theological Seminary), married and blessed with three young children, spends her spare time freelancing as a writer and editor. She served several years as the Women’s Ministry Director at Rowlett Bible Fellowship. Her two coauthored books are  New Doors in Ministry to Women  and     Women’s Retreats: A Creative Planning Guide  (both from Kregel). She welcomes feedback at kmathews@newdoors.info .