{"id":7804,"date":"2024-05-21T15:34:19","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T15:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/?p=7804"},"modified":"2025-08-13T20:32:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T20:32:13","slug":"discernment-retreat-creates-space-for-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/2024\/05\/21\/discernment-retreat-creates-space-for-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Discernment retreat creates space for questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not everyone studying for ministry sees themselves moving into a traditional pastoral role. And the time and space for deep, focused discernment work can be difficult to find once someone has begun a degree program.<\/p>\n

\u201cCandidacy discernment is complicated and requires time and attention,\u201d said Ashley Wheeler<\/strong>, associate director of candidacy. \u201cA lot of people entering seminary programs are still early in their discernment process. So they\u2019re asking if they can picture themselves doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luther Seminary offered the Discerning God\u2019s Call retreat\u2014held in Alexandria, Minnesota, in February\u2014so those in a season of discernment could have a focused experience to help better define their path.<\/p>\n

The three-day retreat was a true experiment. All were welcome to attend, including those considering a seminary degree and current students. Partnering with synods in the ELCA\u2019s Region 3 led to a more diverse group of attendees.<\/p>\n

\"Group
Group photo of discernment retreat attendees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe typical pathways that produced pastors have been reformed or even rerouted,\u201d said Jen Gruendler<\/strong>, associate director for enrollment services. Often, those who did not grow up in traditional church settings but who feel called to ministry need help finding the language to describe what they are experiencing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe retreat was designed to introduce people to the spectrum of what they can do with their call and with the details of theological education they\u2019re thinking of embarking on. \u2018Pastor\u2019 is an option but, of course, not the only option,\u201d Gruendler said.<\/p>\n

The retreat explored theological concepts of vocation, including many of the biblical call stories, vocational theologies from the Lutheran tradition, and current theologies and practices around formal spiritual discernment. Steve<\/strong> Thomason<\/strong>, associate professor of spiritual formation, helped guide participants through text study, self-reflection, worship, and small-group work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis retreat confirmed the deep need across the church\u2014from those considering their call to those transitioning between calls and leaving calls\u2014 to create more space and take more time for intentional discernment,\u201d said Krista<\/strong> Anderson<\/strong> \u201807<\/strong> M.A.<\/strong>, an ELCA candidacy and leadership manager who co-led the retreat. \u201cAnytime the church can offer guided times with tools and resources for discernment, we\u2019ll find that many people will commit their time and energy to participating in such offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Read more from Summer 2024<\/h2>\n