Multiple Retreat Experiences
Complete Retreats Listing
A Deeper Journey
The Leader's Journey
The Leader’s Journey: Nurturing the Soul of Pastors and Ministry Leaders
“I am trusting you, O Lord … Let your love shine on your servant.” – Psalm 31:14, 16
Healthy Christian leadership requires the successful integration of the ‘functional’ and ‘spiritual’. The functional aspects of a church or organization are vital in meeting the many needs of those being served. However, the most significant reality a leader brings to others is his/her transformed and transforming presence. Unfortunately, functional pressures can easily overwhelm the leader’s soul.
The Leader’s Journey is a three-year, 12 retreat experience specifically designed to nourish the transformed and transforming presence of Christian leaders. It provides a comprehensive spiritual formation experience in light of the unique challenges of vocational ministry in the 21st century. The experience covers the eight topics (and accompanying disciplines) of A Deeper Journey, but goes beyond it in both scope and time. Participation in each of the 12 quarterly retreats brings greater strength and clarity to the leader’s soul and ministry.
Those engaged in intensive soul care must have intentional help in nurturing the vitality of their own soul. If you are interested in having a team come along side your leadership, The Leader’s Journey will pay great spiritual dividends. Contact Jim Cofield for availability and further details.
Retreat #1 – Essential Dimensions of the Soul in Spiritual Formation – Explores foundational dimension of the soul’s formation in Christ. Spiritual Disciplines: Silence and Solitude
Retreat #2 – The Voice of God in Spiritual Formation – Examines the role of Scripture in formation and the challenge of truly listening to the voice of God. Spiritual Disciplines: Contemplative Reading and Memorizing of Scripture
Retreat #3 – Communion with God in Spiritual Formation – Attends to the gift of communion with God in prayer with an emphasis on the role of prayer in spiritual formation.
Spiritual Disciplines: Meditative and Contemplative Prayer
Retreat #4 – The Necessity of Self-Clarity in Spiritual Formation – Explores the invitation for a deeper self-understanding in Christ through the use of the Enneagram. Attention is given to the dynamics of personality in formation.
Spiritual Disciplines: Examen and Surrender
Retreat #5 – Change and Community in Spiritual Formation – Develops the spiritual and psychological nature of change and community in the journey of transformation. Spiritual Disciplines: Humility and Secrecy
Retreat #6 – Stages of Faith – Highlights the five seasons of life and faith that are the experience of the maturing Christian with special emphasis on leading others in each stage. Spiritual Disciplines: Gratitude and Service
Retreat #7 – Difficult Realities in Spiritual Formation – Explores the difficult realities of pain and failure which require grace and truth so that we may fully enter the experience of transformation. Spiritual Disciplines: Confession and Forgiveness
Retreat #8 – Discerning God’s Will – Offers practical guidance for both personal and corporate decision making for those who want only the “will of the Father.” Spiritual Disciplines: Discernment and Fasting
Retreat #9 – Rule of Life in Spiritual Formation – Attends to our need to formulate a rhythm of spiritual practices that honors God, nourishes our own soul and blesses others. Spiritual Disciplines: Simplicity & Sabbath
Retreat #10 – The Necessity and Reward of Community – Demonstrates how the Trinitarian life of God requires our life to be shared with others, learning to hear and speak the truth in love. Spiritual Disciplines: Accountability and Hospitality
Retreat #11 – Leaders and Followers – Challenges those with a transformed presence to engage others in spiritual formation.
Spiritual Disciplines: Mentoring and Spiritual Direction
Retreat #12 - Sustaining the Journey of Spiritual Formation – Provides a summary overview of the Demanding Journey experience with an emphasis on importance of spiritual maturity in leaders. Spiritual Disciplines: Chastity & Celebration