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Missional Leadership Cohort
Join a 9-month journey to discover where God is leading you and your ministry
- Price
Program Overview
Leading a congregation today can feel overwhelming. Perhaps you’re noticing declining membership, cultural divisions, and the constant pressure to "fix" inherited church structures. You’re not alone in feeling stretched thin or wondering if you’re doing enough.
But what if these challenges aren’t just problems to solve, but invitations to discover how God is already at work in new ways?
That’s why we created the Missional Leadership Cohort—a nine-month journey where you’ll join peers and mentors to:
Your Learning Experience Includes:
Session Schedule
- 42 contact hours
- 13 lessons
The Missional Leadership Cohort invites you into spaces of listening, learning, and discernment.
Each gathering weaves together spiritual practices, expert coaching, and practical learning to help you notice where God is already at work. Then, through worship, shared meals, and authentic conversation, you’ll be equipped to join God’s movement and make transformative change with confidence and hope.
Session 1: Online Retreat
March 10: 3 PM – 7 PM (CT)
March 11: 10 AM – 5 PM (CT)
March 103 PM – 7 PM (CT)
Session 2: Online Retreat
March 10: 3 PM – 7 PM (CT)
March 11: 10 AM – 5 PM (CT)
March 103 PM – 7 PM (CT)
Monthly Online Coaching (April–October)
March 10: 3 PM – 7 PM (CT)
March 11: 10 AM – 5 PM (CT)
Session 3: In-Person Retreat
March 10: 3 PM – 7 PM (CT)
March 11: 10 AM – 5 PM (CT)
Wondering if this is right for you?
The Missional Leadership Cohort is for clergy who sense God is calling them to something new. This journey might be your next faithful step if you:
What’s Included?
When you join the Missional Leadership Cohort, you’ll participate in:
Comprehensive Retreat Experiences
Online Retreats: Two immersive online retreats that combine spiritual practices, interactive discussions, and leadership development—right from your location.
- Session 1:
March 10 (3 PM–7 PM)
March 11 (10 AM–5 PM) - Session 2:
June 16 (3 PM–7 PM)
June 17 (10 AM–5 PM)
In-Person Retreat: A culminating retreat for deep connection and shared discernment. All-inclusive with travel reimbursement provided.
Monthly Coaching Sessions
Join monthly online coaching conversations from April to October, where you’ll receive support and companionship as you listen for God’s activity in your context.
Practical Tools and Resources
Strategies for addressing ministry challenges with clarity and confidence.
Frameworks for leading adaptive change and fostering congregational growth.
A Rich Library of Readings and Materials
Ground yourself in both theological wisdom and practical insights through a carefully curated collection of readings that you’ll explore with your cohort. You’ll engage with them throughout your 9-month journey as you explore how to follow God into a faithful future.
- “The Practice of the Trinity” (PDF chapter from Introducing the Practice of Ministry by Kathleen Cahalan)
- Leading Faithful Innovation by Dwight Zscheile, Michael Binder, and Tessa Pinkstaff (including the Introduction)
- Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
- Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky
- The Innovative Church by Scott Cormode
- The Church Cracked Open by Stephanie Spellers
Supportive Peer Network
Connect with fellow ministry leaders who are on a journey similar to yours. Share stories, discover insights, and find encouragement as you discern God’s movement together.
Save your seat
This transformative, nine-month experience costs only $650 (in-person retreat to Carefree, Arizona included!) This offering is available for $650 due to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment.
- Price
Get to Know Your Instructor
Dawn Alitz
The Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz’s expertise is in the area of adult faith formation, coaching, and program coordination. Before joining the Luther staff in 2016, she had over twenty years of experience in congregational leadership in both mission-start and established congregations.
She has her ACC credentialing with the International Coaching Federation, trained with the Global Team Coaching Institute, and is well-known within ELCA and ecumenical circles for her work with adaptive leadership, developing online learning opportunities, and collaborating with various networks of educational and synodical professionals. Dr. Alitz’s role at Luther places her in a unique position to equip leaders to engage the Gospel in the 21st century by designing, piloting, and building out new business models for theological education and congregational leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to attend all of the retreats and coaching sessions?
While we know that life events happen that may prevent you from attending all of the cohort events, full participation is important and expected in order to build relationships and allow time for formative conversations.
What is the time commitment for this learning community?
There are three retreats, two online and one in-person, along with a monthly 90-minute coaching call with a smaller cohort. There is also an expectation of coursework to be completed (short readings, devotional time, experiments in ministry practices) that may take up to two hours per week). This work is intended to strengthen and support your current ministry work rather than pull you away from it.
What is the cost for this learning community?
Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, the cost to each participant is $650. Additional scholarships are available upon request.
Who should apply for this learning community?
This community will be learning and actively engaging in adaptive challenges in their contexts. Leaders who are settled in their call, have a degree of trust from their congregations, and a curiosity of what God might be inviting them to engage next are best suited for this work.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!