As I write this, it is Christmas break. Monday, December 29, to be specific. For the first time in a few months, I’ve had some margin and some downtime. My inbox has slowed down. Over the past week, I’ve even had moments of—dare I say it—boredom. My youngest is napping, my older children are playing with new toys, and I sit and take a breath.

I miss work.

WHAT?!?

Let’s name a reality: Christian school leaders often find themselves stretched thin. And if we’re honest with ourselves, maybe we prefer it that way. Like me, perhaps you don’t know what to do with yourself when some time and space present themselves. Our work gives us purpose and meaning, and we have a deep belief that the work we do really matters. Between guiding staff, supporting families, and caring for students, the work leaders do really does have a wide impact. You’re the visionary, the counselor, the manager, and the shepherd—sometimes all before lunch.

In the daily life of Christian school leadership, it is easy to become so consumed with the tasks and responsibilities we do for God that we forget about our own relationships with God. Retreats intentionally slow the pace and remove distractions so leaders can reorient their hearts toward a relationship with Jesus through worship, prayer, and listening. By stepping away from strategic planning and problem solving, leaders are reminded that their primary calling is not productivity and success, but faithfulness. This re-centering renews perspective and grounds our leadership in dependence on God rather than personal strength or performance.

Rest and Retreat Help Protect Leaders from Burnout

Christian school leaders often carry emotional, spiritual, and relational burdens along with the actual “work” of administrative demands, making us especially vulnerable to exhaustion. Retreats provide sacred space for rest that goes beyond physical relief to include emotional and spiritual restoration. By honoring God’s design for rhythms of work and rest, leaders learn to recognize their limits and release the pressure to constantly perform. Retreats help sustain faithfulness by refreshing us, reminding us of our calling, and equipping our hearts to be leaders who are strong when storms come.

Retreats Allow Space and Margin for Curiosity, Generosity, and New Ideas

When leaders are constantly stretched thin, creativity and generosity are often the first casualties. Retreats create margin. Unhurried time invites curiosity, reflection, and imaginative thinking. In the space of a retreat, leaders are better able to ask deep questions, consider new perspectives, and discern God’s calling for their work and their schools. Freed from immediate demands, they can listen attentively to God and others, allowing our leadership to flow from a place of steadiness and discernment rather than reactive decision making.

Solitude Strengthens Identity

Solitude invites leaders to encounter God without the expectations or criticisms of others shaping their thoughts and minds. In quiet and stillness, leaders are reminded that their identity is rooted not in their role, their success, or the approval of others, but in being beloved children of God. This grounding is essential for Christian school leaders whose roles often blur personal and professional identity.

The Health of the Leader Shapes the Health of the School

The health and well-being of a leader influence the culture of the school they serve. Healthy leaders are more patient, compassionate, and full of grace and truth. This healthy, wholehearted leadership lends to the creation of an environment where students, faculty, and families can flourish. By nurturing their own selves, leaders model faithful rhythms and steward their influence in ways that promote long faithfulness and Christ-centered flourishing within their school community.

Join Us for a Spiritual Retreat This Summer

This coming June, a group of Christian school leaders is gathering for a three-day, life-giving, spiritual retreat in Asheville, North Carolina called The Well. Supported by CSI, The Well isn’t a conference or another task to squeeze into a calendar. It’s a space to breathe again. A space for Christian school leaders to remember who they are in Christ. To let minds and hearts settle, and to reorient on God. It’s time, space, and a community in which to do the kind of soul work that’s hard to make time for, but impossible to keep leading well without.

 

Don’t let cost be an issue; scholarships are available. If you’re interested in joining, you can find more information here.