Are you feeling unfulfilled, burned out, or unsupported in your current calling? Whether you spend your days caring for others, serving your community, leading a congregation, or simply keeping up with the demands of everyday life, it can be difficult to find time to care for yourself. And while hard work is good, if you constantly overextend yourself and don’t take time for rest, everyone suffers. If you’re lacking the energy and support to fully engage with life, consider this your wake-up call. It’s time to get back to the best version of yourself, connect with a new community, and develop some strategies for balancing work and rest in your daily life.
Discovering Renewal is here to help.
Discovering Renewal is a five-day retreat at Montreat Conference Center which takes place right after Easter each year. Designed for pastors, professionals, students, and anyone in need of a little rest, this event invites you to slow down, reconnect with yourself and your faith, and explore new ways to bring balance into your daily life.
Throughout the retreat, participants will have opportunities to engage in a variety of activity tracks, each designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, and community. From exploring new interests to spending time outdoors, these activities offer a chance to step away from everyday responsibilities and engage your mind, body, and spirit in meaningful ways. Confirmed tracks include hiking led by Aram Mitchell and Grey Mitchell, yoga led by Mary Carroll Dodd, fly fishing led by Tanner Pickett, contemplation and Enneagram led by Greg Durham and Kelley Weber, baking led by Jessica Vazquez Torres, and a mixed track led by Sarah Akin, and we are in the process of adding more!
We are excited to share that author Brian McLaren will be returning as our devotion leader this year. Brian is the author of the award-winning book A New Kind of Christianity and has spent decades helping people think honestly about faith, culture, ecology, and the common good. Through his leadership, participants will have opportunities to explore their faith, reflect on their callings, and consider new ways of living with greater intention and balance.
Participants will have opportunities to personally engage with Brian, as well as track leaders and other attendees, during whole-group gatherings each evening. Discovering Renewal is special in that everyone comes to the event as equals. Here, you’ll find a welcoming, loving community where everyone shares a desire to bring purpose and meaning to their lives. During the evening gatherings, there will be opportunities to share stories, reflect on spiritual experiences, or show off creative pursuits. It’s a life-giving, joy-filled time of fellowship!
So, what if you are interested in joining this community, but a structured activity track isn’t really your thing? No problem! We also offer a Sabbath track option for those who want to participate in the devotionals and evening events but would rather do their own thing during the day. You can spend time reading, resting, or working on a project. You name it! Additionally, anyone can choose to add an extra Sabbath day and arrive a day early. All early arrivals will have Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast, and Tuesday lunch added to their reservation, plus the opportunity to engage in a few optional programs or activities.
No matter what season of life you’re in or what responsibilities you’re carrying, everyone deserves the opportunity to rest, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most. Discovering Renewal offers a chance to step away from the demands of everyday life, nurture your relationship with God, and find encouragement in a community of people who understand the importance of making space for renewal. We hope you’ll join us March 29–April 2, 2027, and discover what a little time away can do for your mind, body, and spirit.
This article was originally published in the November 2026 edition of Montreat Conference Center’s email newsletter Engaging Grace which highlights conference and event opportunities for adults. Sign up to receive Engaging Grace directly in your inbox by clicking here.