Discernment: The Heart of Spiritual Leadership
A Retreat Intensive for Christian Leaders
November 13-17, 2011
The ability to discern and do the will of God personally and in community is the heart of spiritual leadership, and yet many Christian leaders have little preparation and experience with discernment as a spiritual practice. Current challenges facing churches, denominations and Christian organizations demand that we move beyond reliance on our own human thinking and strategic planning to an ability to seek and to receive the gift of spiritual wisdom, also described in Scripture as discernment. (I Corinthians 2:12-16)
This intensive retreat experience includes teaching, fixed-hour prayer, solitude, guided reflections, and lively conversation with other leaders. Led by Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team, and joined in Part II by Charles M. Olsen, author of Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders, this learning opportunity incorporates both personal and leadership discernment, delivered in two parts. Part I is prerequisite for Part II. If you have attended a Transforming Center discernment retreat in the past, you are eligible to come directly to Part II.
Part I The Art and Practice of Personal Discernment*
November 13-15, 2011 Click here for Schedule
Dr. Ruth Haley Barton
- Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God
- The Habit of Discernment: Exploring the Dynamics
of Consolation and Desolation - The Practice of Discernment--Part I: From Decision-Making
to Discernment - The Practice of Discernment--Part II: Gathering and
Assessing the Data - Discernment in Community and Group Spiritual Direction
NEW! Based on Ruth's forthcoming book, Pursuing God's Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (InterVarsity Press, 2012)
Part II Leadership Discernment: Seeking God's Will Together**
November 15-17, 2011 Click for schedule
Rev. Charles M. Olsen
- Discernment: The Heart of Spiritual Leadership
- Spiritual Preparation of the Leader
- Preparing the Community for Discernment
- Exploring a Process for Leadership Discernment
- Issues in Leadership Discernment
- Courageous Leadership: Doing God's Will Together
Who:
Pastors, elders and deacons, denominational leaders, boards, leaders, Christian business executives, and leadership teams. (Group rate available.)
Where:
Chicago area
Marytown and Cardinal Stritch Retreat Centers
Libertyville, IL
* Part I is the seventh retreat of the Transforming Community®. We are also making it available as a part of this intensive experience.
**The prerequisite for attending Part II is participation in an Art and Practice of Presonal Discernment retreat.
Cost:
- $695 per part: includes private room/bath, all meals, tuition, retreat materials, refreshments throughout
- $495 per part: discounted rate for pastors, church staff and leaders of Christian not-for-profits
- $50 discount: when attending both retreats, there will be a $50 discount
Questions? Contact Dalene Strieff, registrar, for details and registration information.
Ask us about bringing this retreat to your location.
The Transforming Center reserves the right to cancel a retreat due to insufficient registration.
