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Pursuing God's Will Together
The goal of this immersion experience is to equip and empower pastors and Christian leaders to guide their churches and organizations to become communities that discern and do the will of God.
Team Practice
of the disciplines associated with corporate leadership
Teaching and Shared Learning
to help your team learn how to practice corporate leadership discernment
Time and Space
for personal reflection and important conversations you haven’t had time for
Get the book for your team.
Special offer from our publishing partner InterVarsity Press. Use code 40IVP22 for 40% off and free US shipping.
What You'll Receive
- This unique experience for your team in which you will find rest, receive spiritual nourishment, and savor extended time to listen to God and each other
- Teaching on discernment that is rooted in Scripture and the best of our Christian tradition, made practical and accessible for today’s churches and communities
- Opportunities for your group to practice and receive guidance in the how-tos of corporate leadership discernment
- Includes 5 meals, light refreshments during the breaks, and an evening reception on the second night.
- Your registration fee includes 2 nights stay at the retreat center, however, we encourage you to consider staying an extra night for expanded time with your team.
“One great need of the Church today is to experience the dynamic leadership of Christ as its Head. If Christ is alive, he desires to lead his Church. If Christ desires to lead his Church, his will should be sought. If his will can be sought, it can be discerned; and if it can be discerned, it deserves to be obeyed. This is nothing more than the basic Christian life.”
– Dr. Paul Anderson, George Fox University
"This event was life changing for members of my ministry team. It has redefined how we listen and lead, or I should say, how we listen and follow the voice of God's Holy Spirit. Come eager to hear a word from the Lord and you will not be disappointed."
– Rev. Sue Beadle, Sr. Pastor/Head of Staff, Christ Lutheran Church
"Our time was deeply encouraging and gave us concrete teaching so we can do what our hearts yearn for — desire, discern and do the will of God. Participating with our board of directors was the most significant board experience we have had since the launch of our organization in 2009.”
– Jimmy Lee, Restore NYC
Retreat Schedule
FIRST DAY – "RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD"
12:00 PM – Arrival and Check-in (lunch on your own)
1:00 PM – Session 1 ~ Discernment: The Heart of Spiritual Leadership and
Session 2 ~ Learning to See: Reflections on John 9
3:00 PM – Break
3:30 PM – Session 3 ~ Spiritual Transformation: Prerequisite to Discernment
5:00 PM – Evening Prayer
5:30 PM – Break
6:00 PM – Dinner in teams
7:30 PM – Session 4 ~ Leaders Who Practice Personal Discernment
9:00 PM – Night Prayer/Great Silence
SECOND DAY – "BECOMING A COMMUNITY FOR DISCERNMENT"
6:30-8:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Morning Prayer
8:30 AM – Session 5 ~ Conversion to Community: Values and Practices for Opening to God Together
10:00 AM – Break and Personal Reflection
10:30 AM – Session 6 ~ A Covenant that Protects Community
12:15 PM – Midday Prayer
12:30 PM – Lunch and discussion in teams
1:30 PM – Solitude, Rest, and Refreshment
5:30 PM – Evening Prayer
6:00 PM – Dinner and guided conversation with your team
7:00 PM – Session 7 ~ Get Ready: Making the Necessary Preparations
9:30 PM – Night Prayer
THIRD DAY – "PRACTICING DISCERNMENT TOGETHER"
6:30-8:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Morning Prayer
8:30 AM – Session 8 ~ Get Set: Crossing the Threshold from Decision-Making to Discernment
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Session 9 ~ Go: Discerning God’s Will Together
12:00 PM – Midday Prayer
12:15 PM – Lunch in silence — Listening to God
1:30 PM – Session 10 ~ Where Do We Go from Here?
3:30 PM – Departure
Based on the Bestselling Book
Pursuing God's Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups
Church boards and other Christian leadership teams have long relied on models adapted from the business world to make decisions. In this book, trained spiritual director and nonprofit leader Ruth Haley Barton helps teams transition to a much more fitting model—becoming spiritual communities that practice discernment together.
The book includes a substantive biblical and theological reflection on corporate discernment, a step-by-step guidance for your group, personal reflection questions throughout, and group practices at the end of each chapter. The Discernment Summit puts all of this into practice—and trains teams in real time for this corporate spiritual work.