HCT Creative Workshop Retreat

Helping Churches Thrive Creative Workshop Retreat

Today’s landscape of church leadership is challenging but also full of opportunity. To thrive in this environment, congregations need new systems and practical tools for both paid and volunteer leaders. That’s why CBFNC’s Helping Churches Thrive ministry is hosting the Creative Workshop Retreat, an essential event for church leadership teams (deacon boards, finance committees, personnel committees, properties committees, other church leadership teams and church staff). This retreat offers impactful large group presentations on leading change and navigating conflict from pastors and lay leaders. It also includes practical learning tracks, collaborative learning spaces and small group sessions focused on the needs of today’s churches.

Retreat Schedule

DAY ONE

9:30 a.m.	Check-In Begins
10:30 a.m.	Opening Session
11:30 a.m.	Learning Track One
12:30 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 p.m.	Learning Track Two
3:00 p.m.	Congregational Group Break
4:00 p.m.	Learning Track Three
5:30 p.m.	Supper
6:30 p.m.	Plenary Session One
8:00 p.m.	Wrap

DAY TWO

8:30 a.m.	Morning Coffee
9:00 a.m.	Plenary Session Two
10:30 a.m.	Break
11:00 a.m.	Learning Track Four
12:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m.	Plenary Session Three
2:30 p.m.	Conclude

Learning Tracks

• LEGAL 
• FINANCE & PROPERTY 
• PERSONNEL 
• CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
• NAVIGATING DIFFERENCES
• EVANGELISM/EMBODYING INVITATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP

People today continue to long for authentic relationships, meaningful purpose, spiritual depth, and communities where they can belong. While many have stepped away from organized religion, they have not abandoned their desire for lives shaped by hope, love, justice, and grace.

This year’s plenary series invites us to explore what it means to become the church people are looking for—a faith community where all can flourish. Together, we’ll examine the changing spiritual landscape, listen to the longings of our neighbors, learn from thriving congregations, reimagine how we invite others into the life of faith, and imagine the future God is calling us to embrace.

Rather than asking how to return to what once was, we’ll ask how our churches can more faithfully embody the way of Jesus in ways that help people, congregations, and communities flourish.