Brave Spaces: The Power of Retreat (Nov ’23)

Sustaining Women in Ministry Cohort Retreat

This September, Missio Alliance introduced its inaugural "Sustaining Women in Ministry Cohort." Over six months, this cohort, comprised of 10 women, will explore a variety of topics, learning from both experienced practitioners and one another.

At the beginning of October, the cohort convened for a 2-day in-person retreat. Pastor Sherin Swift, a longtime writer and friend of Missio Alliance, led sessions that explored the themes of calling and the mapping of personal stories to gain a better perspective on our formation and relationship with God.

While the content was deep and formative, the meals, patio views, and informal connection times were also powerful. The women left with a heightened sense of connection—both with God and with one another. They left assured that they have a network of support and encouragement to draw from in their unique church and community contexts.

Why Stay Retreat

In mid-October, Missio Alliance hosted its second Why Stay retreat, this time in the beautiful hills of Malibu. This serene and stunning setting was the perfect backdrop for the seriously brave work the attendees engaged in with Jesus and their fellow participants.

The retreat schedule was thoughtfully designed to incorporate moments of rest and enjoyment, including opportunities for beach outings and hikes. Additionally, it included invitations for deep engagement with topics like disruption, awareness, awakening, integration, and incarnation.

Holding space and giving Christian leaders permission to ask brave and hard questions of God and of themselves is an important part of the work we do. It was a joy to be part of and watch the Missio Why Stay team co-create this sacred space with God.

Missio Alliance facilitates 1-2 Why Stay retreats each year. If you are interested in joining our next retreat in April/May 2024 please fill out this form.

December Info Session for Writing Fellows Cohort

Anchored by a diverse group of Leading Voices and a featured Writing Team, Missio Alliance is excited to announce the launch of our second Writing Fellows Cohort in Winter '24. This expansion will bring our Writing Collective back to three integrated writing teams.

Do you desire to hone your voice through the communal craft of writing within a small cohort of like-minded people? Register here for our upcoming information session on Tuesday, December 7th at 2pm.

Formation / Mission / Witness

The Speed of Love

Andrew Arndt traveled to Uganda this summer and left his experience embarrassed at the way of life of many Americans. For the last few months, Andrew has been wrestling with this question: Why do we move at the speed of our ambitions when we could walk at the pace of healthy, deep relationships?

Culture / Witness

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Mariah Humphries is Mvskoke, and this past month, she honored Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the ancestral lands of the Shawnee, Chickasaw, Yuchi, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee, otherwise known as northern Alabama. Will you come along for the journey and learn with her about this growing national holiday?

Formation

When We Are a House Divided

MaryKate Morse navigates the familiar and difficult waters of dialogue with family on social and cultural issues that frequently go off the rails. Join with her as she reflects on the formative experience of a recent conversation in her family that took a bad turn.

Browse All Our Articles

Managing Leadership Anxiety | Steve Cuss

Four dynamics infect every relationship: assumptions, reactivity, stuck patterns, and attempted solutions. In this first episode of a new mini-series, Steve Cuss and Jimmy Carnes dig deeply into assumptions: what they are, how to notice them, and why they make things so much more catastrophic than they are.

A World of Difference | Lori Brown

Listen to Dr. Carmen Imes & Lori Brown discuss a well-rounded view of career and vocation in harmony with spiritual convictions, while understanding the essentiality of community in manifesting one’s faith in real-life situations. Dr. Imes remarks, “Diversity is not a bug, but a feature of creation, and God’s intention is for us to live together in a collaborative community.”

Browse All Our Podcasts

In celebration of our Sustaining Women in Ministry cohort retreat, we’re highlighting resources from our archives this month that seek to enlarge and deepen a vision for the flourishing of women in all forms of Christian leadership, both pastoral, professional and within the non-profit sector:

Full Partners: Women & Men Serving Together in the Church

Featuring Dr. Rob Dixon, Rev. April Fiet, & our National Director, Lisa Rodriguez-Watson

Rediscovering Scriptures’ Vision for Women

Featuring Dr. Lucy Peppiatt

Nine Lessons For Christian Leaders (Who Also Happen To Be Female)

A recent article from Pastor Sherin Swift

The Power of Retreat

“Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest'" (Mark 6:31, NIV)

Ronald Heifetz, a well-known author on leadership, has a concept in his work called “getting on the balcony.” The idea is that the swirl of constant motion around us leads to unexamined internal motivations. As leaders, we far too often react instead of respond. Regardless of spiritual health or emotional maturity, all leaders struggle. But those who persevere with resiliency through their struggle frequently have decided to step outside the noise and listen to God and their souls in retreat. This practice is amongst the most valuable and sustaining healthy things a leader can do for longevity.

What would it look like to intentionally retreat to a ‘quiet space' to rest in the busyness of the coming holiday season?