Annual Clergy Retreat: Lead With Listening

Lead With Listening
Date: January 25-26, 2021
Time: 12-5 pm
Cost: $30 (cost includes free book, With Open Hands by Henri Nouwen)

Our annual clergy retreat is a chance for regional clergy to refresh, rejuvenate, and prepare for the upcoming year’s ministry with ABCNJ colleagues. While we cannot meet in person for this year’s retreat, we will still be able to learn some new skills as a group, connect in smaller groups, and find moments for silent reflection.

As church leaders, we are often expected to bring answers to the table. However, the examples of strong leadership we find within Scripture often show people approaching God and others with a listening heart. Eli tells Samuel to answer God by saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” and James encourages those within the early Christian community to “lead with your ears.” While our nation feels fractured and communities may feel divided on so many issues, how can we reclaim the practice, as the people of God, to lead with listening?

Join us as we are lead by Rev. Dr. Jeff Savage in a two day retreat that will combine short online teachings and opportunities to connect with one another and silent reflections to see how we can lead with listening.

REV. DR. JEFF SAVAGE is a spiritual director, retreat guide, and couple’s facilitator shaped by over 32 years of pastoral ministry and contemplative practice. He also serves as a spiritual director and faculty advisor for Portland Seminary. After suffering catastrophic loss in the Holiday Farm fire, Jeff and his wife, Janet, are rebuilding their vision for retreat space for reflection, rest, and renewal at their home above the McKenzie River at Vida, Oregon. In each expression of his calling, Jeff finds abundant joy in holding space for folks to pay attention to their life in God, particularly those engaged in pastoral ministry. The values that center Jeff in his vocation include hopeful trust, hospitality, attentiveness, and integrity. Jeff finds balance in connection with the land, photography, wandering, and being Pop Pop to four grandchildren (photos supplied on request). For more about Jeff visit sacredspacevida.com.