Why We Do A Leader Retreat

Group Photo From Our Leader Retreat

Retreats are an important part of our youth ministry schedule. But we don't just do youth retreats; we also have an annual leader retreat. It's become an significant part of caring for the adult leaders who care for our students. While we limit the retreat to just one night, it's definitely not a cheap budget item. Here's why we have made it a priority the past four years:

It's a gift. Retreats are fun and refreshing, and not just for teenagers. By providing a short retreat for our leaders, we communicate that we care for our leaders. It's a weekend where we can care for our leaders by helping them relax, focus on their relationship with God, and shoot guns together (we live in Utah, so it's a pretty common pastime). By making it free for our leaders, it's a very nice "thank you" present.

It builds community among our leaders. I look forward to this weekend every year, because it's a time when I get to hang out with our volunteers not as leaders, but as friends. Not every leader is able to make it to the retreat, but for those who do, they get to know their fellow leaders in a way that just can't happen at a youth leader meeting.

It helps our leaders be better leaders. It's just one night a year, but this retreat speaks volumes to our leaders that we desire for them to be healthy people and faithful followers of Jesus. When we help and encourage leaders to take some time off and spend time with God, they become better leaders in the process.

What are ways that you care for your youth ministry leaders?

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