Jesus took time away for prayer and silence before proclaiming to the crowds. You are invited to take time apart in a retreat setting with other colleagues and create long-range plans for worship and preaching.
Each week pastors face the humbling and awesome task of preparing a sermon and worship that touches the lives of worshippers in our congregations. Our perplexing and difficult times call for authentic worship and preaching where people can encounter Christ. Yet, the daily demands of ministry often keep us from having as much time as we would like for sermon and worship preparation, and especially for long range sermon and worship planning. Taking time apart, like Jesus, gives us the opportunity to root our planning in prayer and to open ourselves to the directions of the Spirit.
The early bird rate is $200 (payable before April 1 for the July retreat and August 1 for the November retreat). The standard registration is $250. Space is limited, so register early! If registration is full, you may be put on a waiting list.
Participants may arrive early or stay for a longer time by making arrangements directly with the retreat center.
Rev. Anne Gahn has a M.Div. from Saint Paul School of Theology, has completed The Two-Year Academy
for Spiritual Formation and CenterQuest School of Spiritual Direction. Rev. Gahn is a Great Plains Elder
currently serving Ottawa, KS First UMC, she served for seven years as a lay staff member of two
churches in Lincoln and six years as the lead pastor at Lexington, Nebraska; she served as the Great
Plains Mercy & Justice Team Chair 2021-2024; and is co-founder and director of The Center for
Transformation Arts, offering individual and group spiritual direction, retreat leadership, ministry
coaching and consulting.
Rev. Doug Gahn entered into ministry as a second career licensed local pastor. He completed Course of Study, Advanced Course of Study, and retired as an Elder in the Great Plains Conference. He served churches at Prairie Home, Elm Creek, Overton, Williamsburg, and Cozad. Doug also completed the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation and is a Reflective Supervisor having received his training through Rev. Jane Leech's Grace & Responsibility of the British Methodist Church. Doug is co-founder of The Center for Transformation Arts offering reflective supervision and retreat leadership.
The retreat will offer:
The basic schedule (all optional) will be:
Who is it For?
It is recommended that participants have either completed seminary or one-third of their course of study, and have two or more years of pastoral experience.
“The topic discussions were very fruitful and informative. Brainstorming truly engaged us and brought incredible resources for the group. I felt that the morning engaged me and powered me for a full afternoon of productivity.”
“I really appreciated the rhythm I was able to set for myself of prayer, planning and self-care. I want to figure out how to take this rhythm with me.”
“I loved the flexibility offered even within a structure framework. I felt free to participate and take advantage of sessions and prayer while knowing if I needed time to plan or walk the pond that was OK too.”
“I can allow myself to have my own style. It doesn’t have to fit something prescribed by others.”
“Thank you so much! I plan to come again!”
