Executive Skills Retreat: 15 Spaces Remain for January

Only 15 spaces remain for Executive Skills for Church Leaders, with programming Jan. 4–8, 2027, at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona. Grand Canyon Synod participants qualify for a $200 discount available to ELCA Region 2 leaders. Check-in is Sunday, Jan. 3; sessions begin Monday morning and conclude at noon Friday.

Hosted by Thriving Leadership Formation of ELCA Region 2, this continuing education retreat welcomes pastors, deacons, staff and lay leaders for practical learning, rest and connection. Leaders from all faith traditions and outside Region 2 are welcome.

The Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown joins the faculty, replacing ELCA Secretary CeCee Mills, who is unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict with the ELCA Bishop’s Academy. Brown is an African American pastor, educator, author and activist with more than three decades of experience advocating for underrepresented communities.

Four sessions address key responsibilities and relationships in ministry:

  • What We’ve Been Calling Peace: Rethinking Repair, Relationships, and Reconciliation — The Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown

  • Financial Foundations for Faithful Leadership — Terri Robertson: Developing budgets and communicating financial information with clarity and trust.

  • Human Resource Essentials — Felecia Boone: Hiring, reviewing and supporting staff with care.

  • Enneagram Essentials for Leadership — Desta Goehner: Understanding patterns that shape leadership, relationships and responses under pressure.

For Lutherans, stewarding resources, tending relationships and caring for people are expressions of our vocation to serve our neighbors. Grounded in God’s grace, faithful leadership also makes room for rest. The retreat offers opportunities to reconnect with colleagues or seminary friends and enjoy the center’s labyrinth, pool and hot tub.

Listed rates per person, before the Region 2 discount: $1,350 single occupancy; $1,100 double; $950 triple; $850 quad; or $750 for commuters. Residential registration includes programming, lodging and meals.

Location: Spirit in the Desert, 7415 E. Elbow Bend, Carefree, AZ 85377. Participants flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor should arrive Sunday, Jan. 3, and schedule return flights for 2 p.m. or later Friday, Jan. 8.

Register for Executive Skills for Church Leaders. For assistance with registration or the Region 2 discount, call 480-488-5218. Explore event and travel details.

Space availability reflects the organizers’ latest update.

ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesGrand Canyon SynodThriving Leadership Formation Program, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment