Missional Leadership Cohort

Join a 9-month journey to discover where God is leading you and your ministry

Dawn Alitz

The Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz

Director of Coaching

Start date:

March 10, 2025

End date:

November 12, 2025
Discover where God is leading you
Reignite your passion for ministry
Grow your effectiveness as a leader
Lead your church through change
Connect with a supportive network of clergy peers
Deepen your connection with God
650

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:

Listen deeply for where God is leading you and your congregation to grow
Move from “fixing” problems to experimenting faithfully with new ways of being church
Learn practices for forming disciples beyond Sunday services and Bible studies
Explore creative ways of reaching new people in your community
Equip your congregation for shared ministry leadership
Explore the biblical and theological foundation of the church’s missionary calling
Apply social science insights to strengthen your leadership and community life
Reflect critically on the unique opportunities and obstacles in your context
Rediscover your pastoral identity in a changing ministry landscape

Your Learning Experience Includes:

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Two hours of weekly coursework
Calls
Monthly 90-minute coaching calls
retreats
Two online, two-day retreats
in person retreat
One culminating in-person, all-inclusive retreat

Session Schedule

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)
Session 2: Online Retreat
  • June 16: 3 PM – 7 PM (CT)
  • June 17: 10 AM – 5 PM (CT)
Monthly Online Coaching (April–October)

Dates will be set during the first retreat, offering ongoing support and collaboration.

Session 3: In-Person Retreat

Tentative Location: Spirit in the Desert
Late October/Early November (Monday–Wednesday)

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.

*Payment can be made upfront or in monthly installments. Additional scholarships are available upon request.

Discover where God is leading you
Reignite your passion for ministry
Grow your effectiveness as a leader
Lead your church through change
Connect with a supportive network of clergy peers
Deepen your connection with God
March 10, 2025
650

Meet your instructor, The Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz

Dawn Alitz

The Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz

Director of Coaching

Dr. 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. 

 

Retreat details:

  • March 10-11, 2025 (online)
  • June 16-17, 2025 (online)
  • November 10-12, 2025 (Spirit of the Desert, Carefree, AZ)

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.

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Lead your church through change

  

with the Missional Leader Cohort