• 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.

  • ONLY COMPLETE ONE APPLICATION!

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

    Skylar Cummings, Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Formation
    skylar.cummings@dioceseofnashville.com
    office desk: 615-645-9767

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • 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).

    +394+ NOVEMBER
    Tuesday, November 3, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, November 10, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, November 17, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, November 18, OR Thursday, November 19, after school at the CPC
    Friday, November 20, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, November 22, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +395+ DECEMBER/JANUARY
    Tuesday, December 1, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, January 5, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, January 12, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, January 13, OR Thursday, January 14, after school at the CPC
    Friday, January 15, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, January 17, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +396+ JANUARY/FEBRUARY
    Tuesday, January 26, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, February 2, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, February 9, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, February 10, OR Thursday, February 11, after school at the CPC
    Friday, February 12, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, February 14, ~5:00 PM at CM

    +397+ APRIL
    Tuesday, April 6, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, April 13, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Tuesday, April 20, from 4-7 PM at the CPC
    Wednesday, April 21, OR Thursday, April 22, after school at the CPC
    Friday, April 23, from 3:30 PM through Sunday, April 25, ~5:00 PM at CM

  • Which SEARCH for Christian Maturity Retreat(s) and accompanying meetings are you able to attend? (You may choose more than one.)*

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

  • Which SEARCH retreat did you attend as a participant ("Searcher")?*
  • Have you previously been on a SEARCH retreat leadership team?*

  • Tell us about your ministry experience.

  • I am currently involved in my parish's youth ministry.*
  • Grade*
  • I am currently involved in my school's campus ministry.*

  • 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
  • Which leadership team role(s) are you interested in? (You may choose more than one.)*
    • 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?

    • Choose TWO themes that MOST resonate with you. (Neither of these will necessarily be the theme you are given.)*
    • Choose the ONE theme that LEAST resonates with you. (You may still be given this theme.)*

  • 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.

  •
  • Is this person related to you?*
  • Is this person at least 21 years old and out of college?*
  • Have you asked this person if they are willing to be a reference for you?*
  • Should be Empty: