The Retreat : A lighthearted and humorous story about a soul searching pastor

by Kees Postma

"This book is funny, encouraging and takes you on quite an adventure. Highly recommended!" Bob Smiley - Christian comedian & podcaster for Focus on the Family's Average Boy podcast

"Through simple storytelling and humour, Kees cuts through our defences and goes straight to the heart of the our hearts. But don’t worry—he also provides the refreshing and healing medicine of God’s grace" Seth Lewis - Pastor and author of Dream Small

Included in the new and notable books and handpicked recommendations by Tim Challies, pastor, author and contributor to The Gospel Coalition USA & Canada.

Case Parker, a worn-out pastor, is shocked by all the good, bad and ugly he has found in ministry so far. Having reached a point of utter exhaustion he decides to go to Ireland for a three day retreat. Case, and the other Dutch shepherds that join him, end up in all kind of interesting, dangerous and hilarious laugh-out-loud situations. Along the way they're confronted with the thought provoking storytelling of senior pastor Cornelius O'Hallihan who helps them to fight their demons and renew their strength.

This story will have you in stitches, will make you feel convicted and hopefully has you changed by the time the story ends.

In his first book, Postma offers heartfelt, laugh-out-loud observations on the absurd ways shepherds and sheep alike, try to make themselves look better than they actually are. Since its initial release, The Retreat has captivated readers with its gripping storytelling. With each print run (3rd print in Holland!), Kees has been humbled by the overwhelming response and the countless stories of how this book has touched lives and inspired minds.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Christian Non Fiction

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2023

About the author

Kees Postma (1982) is a pastor and church planter. He and his wife and four kids live in the rural Northern part of Holland called Friesland where he pastors a Baptist church. Next to that he works for European Christain Mission, helping churches plant new churches. His favorite movie of all time is Dumb and Dumber and he loves the harmonies of the Everly Brothers, the thought provoking lyrics of Andrew Peterson and the fact that he is and always will be a sinner saved by grace.

Reviews

[Paul Joiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a pastor and wanted a refreshing read, pick up this book. Postman’s combination of humor and insight often cut to the heart in the best ways.

[Shaun Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful book

I purchased this book cause it was on offer and how pleased I am. This book will give you a giggle in a lot of places but will also make you think really hard about things

[John Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by accident too, this and a sequel, and bought them both. Postma is the author, who is a Dutch minister, and his main protagonist, case parker, is also a minister in the Netherlands. This book tells us about parker's retreat to Ireland, when he was struggling with faith, and how the job (in Utrecht) was taking away from the relationship with God. Even though the story has its comedy value (his conversations with his ever patient wife Deborah, back home with the children, often raised a chuckle with me), it also rings very true for those of us, on stipend or not, who are heavily involved in our churches, but do often feel the relationship with God suffers sometimes, or in my case all the time. This was really good, and I am glad case seems to find something, a communication from the divine, walking along a beach the day before they return home. I just wish I could find it too. I need some peace, and I can never find it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outlandish, but good

A few chapters in the scenarios depicted seem to be completely implausible and fabricated, but by the end, the author seems to expect as much. It has some good lessons mixed in. I'd recommend it to other soul searching clergy and laity alike. It lives up to its title.

[David W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but excellent book that records the fictional escapades and learnings of a group of Dutch pastors while on retreat in Ireland. Although I am grateful for its shortness (who needs 500-page books?) it left me hungry for more. The Retreat came to me as a birthday gift and I have since made a gift of a copy to my father, a 92-year-old retired but still very active Baptist minister. He also thoroughly enjoyed The Retreat, and like me is reading it a second time.

For me, it is good to have humour in a book that is also full of nuggets of spiritual wisdom. I read it the first time with pencil in hand to underline the bits that really spoke to me. I’m discovering more nuggets on the second reading.

I did wonder where Kees did his research on the Emerald Isle but subsequently discovered that he lived there for five years. So, when you read about one Dutch pastor taking on the local hurling team in the pub you wonder if all the events were fictional – who could possibly make up such a tale? The one character I wish was real is Eileen. I’d very much like to have a conversation or two with Eileen. And then I would like to take a long walk on Tramore beach.

[Terence Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure, it’s entertaining. It’s lighthearted. But as is true for all great fiction, especially ones written by Christian authors, it is soul-enriching.

I just had a thought. When John Bunyan writes Pilgrim’s Progress, it’s obvious that the reader is in that journey. For we are all pilgrims. I just realised when Kees Postma writes The Retreat, the reader is in need of a retreat, for the reader is also soul-searching alongside the hero of this journey. Read this and laugh, so that you do not cry.

Full 2,000 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...

[Carolyn Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this was originally written in Dutch, the translation to English has not always worked. I bought the book because the synopsis sounded interesting, and the story itself does have potential but the comedy aspect failed for me. I don't see how throwing a framed picture at a fellow pastor which resulted in a broken nose and a trip to A&E, all because he had a respiratory issue, is funny. I don't get that kind of humour within this type of book. This along with other incidents just detract from the main message of the book.

[Jennifer Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is (as the title implies) a light-hearted fictional account with deep spiritual principles woven throughout. It is a quick, enjoyable read. The 4th star is gained from the spiritual principles.. very insightful, humbling and timely as I read back through those I highlighted. A few forgivable typos.. somehow it fits with the theme of the book, imperfection, transparency and humility. I will definitely read the sequel.

[Niek Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niets is ernstiger dan humor, zo blijkt. De auteur zit regelmatig in de overdrive, wat soms tot lachbuien leidt en soms pijnlijk schuurt (en vaak beiden tegelijk). Niet bestemd voor lezers die een kerkelijk ambt of geestelijke stroming niet kunnen relativeren 😉

[Mikitab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone in the service of God and the church!

There were so many moments in this story that were so poignant and these were highlighted more so because of the honesty and pressures of the human condition and the humour in which it was written

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. Maybe it was the translation to English? There were definitely bright spots and funny bits, but overall it fell a little short for me.

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but powerful book that gives lots to think about

[Judy G Spivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth or fiction

This book uses extreme example, along with Scripture to teach biblical true. Should we stay where we are are move on with the Lord

[Catherine Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a short, fun book but very thought-provoking... It made me laugh and moved me tremendously.

[George Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny but also thought provoking

[REV PAUL HOLMES · Rating 4 out of 5]

insightful

Some nuggets of gold to remind us of our calling & place in society and what really matters.
Not for everyone but I got something out of it

[Seth Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and fanciful but there are serious truths mixed with the humour