Scenario: The congregational leaders are tired in the absence of a pastor for awhile now. Officer training has not been done much, counting upon the wisdom of elders who have been on session repeatedly over the years. The catalyst is supporting another church in the presbytery with similar circumstances. The two sessions decide to join for a shared retreat that is part officer nurture and part brainstorming new ways to lead their congregations. The catalyst and mentors with UD support arrange an overnight retreat center and bring in two leaders. There is a local worship leader who is also a spiritual director to lead times of prayer and song and Bible study and also be available personally. And there is former Stated Clerk from another presbytery who has had experience in helping sessions downsize, simplify and try a few fresh approaches to meetings and ministry. Over the weekend there is time of reflecting on the calling of being an elder, lots of good food and encouraging conversation, camaraderie with the elders from the other church, and some brainstorming for new ways to lead, that they take back to home congregations. Over the next several months the congregational mentor meets with the session as they try and implement a few fresh approaches to leading in their congregation.
Time invested: Meeting with mentor/catalyst, leading to overnight retreat in June 2026, mentors processing with sessions over several months as new “leadership approaches or tools are tried in worship services, Sunday school, or session meetings during the summer of 2026.
Grant provided resources: Mentors and catalyst support the two sessions in deciding on a retreat approach. Catalyst and UD work together on identifying the worship and governance leaders for the retreat. Grant pays for retreat center and meals, honoraria for the two leaders, mileage for all, materials given to elders by retreat leaders (e.g. devotional texts, workbook), lunches between sessions and their mentors.