Leadership & Formation
Learning to Lead Retreats in Australia
​For over 20 years, I’ve worked in Christian NFP leadership, mentoring and spiritual formation. Alongside running retreats, I now mentor Christian women who feel called to create sacred spaces in their own communities.
If you sense a call to lead retreats — in church, ministry or independent settings — I’d love to journey with you.
A Different Kind of Leadership
Retreat leadership is not simply about organising a weekend away.
It requires:
• Theological grounding
• Pastoral sensitivity
• Structural clarity
• Financial sustainability
• Emotional maturity
• Practical wisdom
Many women feel called to create retreat spaces — but feel unsure how to do so safely, sustainably and without burning out.
That’s where formation-level mentoring matters.
My Background
My name is Leah Kearney
I hold a Masters in Leadership (NFP) and have spent more than 20 years working in Christian not-for-profit leadership and team development.
I have:
• Led large teams
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Worked in mission in Australian contexts for 30 years
• Worked with Arrow Leadership Global
• Mentored emerging Christian leaders
• Designed and facilitated spiritually formative environments
• Built financially viable retreat models
My work sits at the intersection of spiritual formation, operational clarity and sustainable leadership.
Who I Mentor
I work with:
• Women in church leadership wanting to run retreats well
• Christian women sensing a call to create retreat spaces
• Ministry leaders seeking depth without burnout
• Women building independent retreat initiatives
• Leaders who want structure and margin, not chaos
You do not need to have everything figured out.
But you do need to feel called.
I am currently piloting a small, high-touch cohort for Christian women who want to design and lead retreat spaces with clarity and sustainability.
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This is not a casual workshop.
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It is a structured leadership intensive that covers:
• The theology and philosophy of retreat
• Crafting a clear and repeatable retreat rhythm
• Leading silence and fasting safely
• Teaching without over-teaching
• Designing embodied reflection
• Re-entry and integration
• Pricing and financial sustainability
• Filling seats without pressure
• Building repeat attendance
This cohort is limited and intentionally relational.
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