Retreat Jumpstart: Mixers to Get Us Talking

I had a such a good time at the CRM ASIA retreat spending time with everyone.
It was a good rest to pull back from the speed of life here.

I was just reflecting on how I'd have liked to know more about the participants faster, thinking that there were a few in the mix who are new, or also less connected. So...while I'm still thinking about it, I've typed up 2 ideas that might help a future retreat get off the ground with a solid start of connecting and knowing the participants better.
For what it's worth...
Love to you all in your corners of the world

1. There’s a light game I play in drama where we find out our mutual affinities. (thanks Anne Chua!)

Standing in a circle you ask those who fit the description to step toward the center.
Coffee lovers, prefer tea, then the rest of you what’s your preferred drink?
dog lovers, cat lovers, then the rest of you…
late nighters, early risers
keep a journal
desk is messy
still hand write in a personal planner (vs a pda or something technical)
enjoy reading fiction, like books on business,
Are a high D on the DISC, High I, S, C, don’t know what we’re talking about…
etc.

2. Here’s a fun but intense mixer to help us go deep fast.
6 tables, 1 topic per table. Number people 1-6. Put these questions on cards or placards on the tables.

DREAMING: What would you like to see happen through God working through you this year?
CALLING: What gets you out of bed in the morning? Fill in the blanks: I ___________ in order to ________ so that ___________.
THE WORD: A favourite verse of passage of Scripture for me is_________. Why?
INFLUENCE: The mose memorable thing someone in the room has said to me was ____.
CONCERNS: Pray for me that I would not be weighed down by _______. I know in my head that God can take care of it, but my heart keeps worrying.
GROWING: As significant lesson I’ve learned in the past year is…

Not everyone will get a chance to talk in each round.
Suggest that the first person who talks be the youngest, or oldest, or the newest staff member….etc. Then after a few rounds you can suggest that the person who hasn’t shared yet talk first.

Give 8 minutes or so per round, then have even numbers move clockwise one table, odd numbers counter clockwise…something like that.