SEARCH Leadership Team Application

  • SEARCH Retreat Leadership Team Application

    If you have previously attended a Search for Christian Maturity Retreat as a participant, you are eligible to apply to be part of one of this year's upcoming retreat leadership teams. We look forward to getting to know you, so please prayerfully and honestly complete this application without using any form of AI.

  • Applications for March's Leadership Team close
    at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, February 18.

    Applications for April's Leadership Team will close mid-March.

  • ONLY COMPLETE ONE APPLICATION!

    If you wish to make changes to your original application, contact Erin Sprenger by simply replying to your original confirmation email or reaching out via phone or email:

    Erin Sprenger, Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Formation
    erin.sprenger@dioceseofnashville.com 
    office desk: 615-540-1230


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  • Tell us about your availability.

  • Time Commitment

    If selected, your attendance will be required for all three training meetings leading up to the retreat weekend, at least one hour of assisting with final preparations the Wednesday or Thursday before the retreat weekend, and the retreat weekend itself.

    You will be expected to prepare individually for your assigned role prior to each training meeting and check-in with Diocesan Staff on your progress in the weeks leading up to the retreat weekend.

    All training meetings are held at the Catholic Pastoral Center (CPC).
    All retreats are held at Camp Marymount (CM).

    +388+ SEPTEMBER
    Tuesday, August 26, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, September 2, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, September 9, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, September 10, OR Thursday, September 11, after school at the CPC
    Friday, September 12, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, September 14, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +389+ NOVEMBER
    Tuesday, November 4, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, November 11, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, November 18, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, November 19, OR Thursday, November 20, after school at the CPC
    Friday, November 21, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, November 23, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +390+ FEBRUARY
    Tuesday, January 27, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, February 3, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, February 10, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, February 11, OR Thursday, February 12, after school at the CPC
    Friday, February 13, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, February 15, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +391+ MARCH (ADDED DUE TO JANUARY BEING POSTPONED)
    Tuesday, March 3, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, March 10, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, March 17, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, March 18, OR Thursday, March 19, after school at the CPC
    Friday, March 20, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, March 22, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +392+ APRIL
    Tuesday, April 7, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, April 14, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, April 21, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, April 22, OR Thursday, April 23, after school at the CPC
    Friday, April 24, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, April 26, ~5:00 PM at CM

  • Tell us about your previous SEARCH experience(s).

  • Tell us about your ministry experience.

  • Please answer the following questions.

  • Leadership Team Roles

  • Co-Directors

    • Support all team members
    • Offer special support and encouragement to group leaders
    • Facilitate SEARCH weekends by setting tone as well as being examples to follow
    • Help leaders understand and carry out their obligations, drawing on their own experience as former SEARCH leaders
    • Lead team meetings
    • Demonstrate through example (i.e. how to do the "little things")
    • REQUIREMENT: prior experience as either Service Crew or Small Group Leader
    • PREFERENCE: prior experience as both Service Crew and Small Group Leader

    Service Crew

    • Support all team members
    • Set the tone! Be prayerful, be silly, be excited at the right times!
    • Aid the weekend in example and enthusiasm through prayer and activities
    • Be living examples of what Christian service means

    Small Group Leaders

    • Support all team members
    • Lead assigned group through SEARCH weekend by means of talks, group discussions, and example
    • Prepare to give 100% of time and energy to Searchers for entire weekend
    • Be examples by participation
    • CO-DIRECTOR APPLICANTS 
    • SERVICE CREW APPLICANTS 
    • SMALL GROUP LEADER APPLICANTS 

    • Read through the themes of the witness talks that are given throughout a SEARCH weekend. Keeping in mind that this retreat is about searching for Christian maturity, consider in what ways God has worked in your life to help you grow in your faith.

      Reality
      Being the first theme of the retreat, it sets the tone of being open, reflective, and real and gives participants their first impression of SEARCH. Describe a time when you realized God's goodness.

      Fully Human
      The focus of this theme is the common experiences and needs of the human person, specifically solidarity in relationship with others. Describe a time when your faith grew because you had to rely on other people.

      Faith
      Faith is a gift from God that flows from our relationship with Him and the example of others, but is unique to each of us. How have you made your faith your own?

      Christian Person
      This theme explores sainthood as attainable and Christianity as everyday holiness. What does it mean to live your life as a Christian?

      The Church and You
      This theme is about how the Church that Christ established ~2000 years ago is alive today in you. How do you see yourself as a living member of the body of Christ?

      Forgiveness
      This theme is about seeking, receiving, and extending forgiveness. How has God's mercy transformed your life?

      Challenge
      This theme explores how the challenges we face throughout our lives are opportunities to trust and rely on God. How have you stayed committed to your faith in the face of a challenge or difficulty?

      What Now?
      The final theme of the weekend is both a summary of Search and a call to share the light of Christ in your relationships. How have you shared the light of Christ with others?

  • Leader Reference

    Please provide the following information for an unrelated adult who is at least 21 years old and out of college who might recommend you to be in a leadership role for a Search for Christian Maturity Retreat. This person could be a priest, youth minister, teacher, coach, mentor, etc. We advise you to ask this person if they would be willing to be a reference for you prior to you submitting your application.

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