Reinvent your life and your leadership . . . everyday and at a retreat!
Self-care is not selfish. Invest in your own well-being!
Leading Well is an Annual Retreat
This year’s annual leadership learning retreat will be held January 6-9, 2026, in Scottsdale at the Franciscan Renewal Center. This event is designed for pastors and leaders who work in faith-based ministry settings. Come if you are newly called to leading in ministry and those who wish to sharpen their skills. Come if you are a pastor, discipleship coordinator, deacon, youth directors, children’s ministry leader, worship coordinator, a judicatory leader, a program director for a camp or non-profit, and or simply wish to experience rest, renewal, and connection with a community of curious leaders.
This community and annual learning event began as an initiative of the ELCA Lutheran Church and has grown into an ecumenical gathering that embraces leaders from all Christian traditions. Our learning retreats are a unique blend of practical learning and sabbath rest, with a focus on the leader as a whole person. Presentations cover everything from technological tools for ministry to leveraging conflict as an opportunity for growth.
Our facilitators understand they are more than presenters; they are the stewards of the event. The wisdom shared at the event will come from their prepared materials and much comes from YOU – the leaders who attend, each bringing your own gifts and diverse experiences. Many of our past participants have commented that their greatest “takeaways” came from synthesizing the content with fellow colleagues who also attended! Participants leave the event with an emerging Leadership Formation Plan tailored to their context, gifts, and present needs.
This community and annual learning event began as an initiative of the ELCA Lutheran Church and has grown into an ecumenical gathering that embraces leaders from all Christian traditions. Our learning retreats are a unique blend of practical learning and sabbath rest, with a focus on the leader as a whole person. Presentations cover everything from technological tools for ministry to leveraging conflict as an opportunity for growth.
Our facilitators understand they are more than presenters; they are the stewards of the event. The wisdom shared at the event will come from their prepared materials and much comes from YOU – the leaders who attend, each bringing your own gifts and diverse experiences. Many of our past participants have commented that their greatest “takeaways” came from synthesizing the content with fellow colleagues who also attended! Participants leave the event with an emerging Leadership Formation Plan tailored to their context, gifts, and present needs.
Leading Well is an Online Community
Leading Well seeks to help ministry leaders of curious leaders who seek to live and lead well in a time of constant disruption. This community is for pastors, deacons, and all church leaders who wish to learn and grow together, to support and resource each other, and to find new ways of being church together. Leading Well hosts two online communities – a Leading Well Facebook Group that includes daily posts and opportunities to share resources with each other, and a Surface to Soul app where videos, trainings, and resources can be readily accessed along with messaging other participants.
"The retreat gave me space to rest, reflect, and laugh."
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THE RETREAT
