How do we lead, teach, and preach in ways that embody who God calls us to be? This fall, the Grand Canyon Synod invites all rostered and synodically authorized ministers—and ministry candidates—to join Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis for a transformative retreat exploring faithful leadership and gender justice.
Bearing Worthy Fruit: a fall retreat with Rev. Karoline Lewis for Grand Canyon Synod ministers to explore acts of bearing fruits that correspond with God’s transformation, October 13-15 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Rooted in a theological exploration of how we respond to who God is, we will examine the enduring systems of sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny and learn ways for leading, teaching, and preaching as full and embodied leaders. Registration is open to all rostered and synodically authorized ministers and ministry candidates committed to ending gender-related systems and practices that distort the Body of Christ.
The retreat will include theological and practical presentations, worship, small groups, personal reflection, and down-time. Monday Oct 13, 1:00 PM - Wednesday, Oct 15, 11:00 AM. Limited to 25 participants. Cost includes lodging, meals, and programming. Support funding provided by an ELCA Quality of Call Grant. (Note: this is different than the Bishop's Fall Gathering, which will be Oct 29 - Sept 1).
Early registration 5/1 – 5/31/2025 $325.00 (open to those living/serving in the Grand Canyon Synod only)
Regular registration 6/1 – 8/31/2025 $375.00 (open to all)
Late registration 9/1 – 9/15/2025, $400.00
Rev. Karoline M. Lewis, Ph.D., is the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, where she has taught since 2007.
Lewis is the author of Preaching the Word: Contemporary Approaches to the Bible For The Pulpit; Belonging: Five Keys to Unlocking Your Potential as a Disciple; A Lay Preacher’s Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon; Embody: Five Steps to Leading With Integrity; SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry and John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries, as well as numerous articles, book chapters, and web resources. Lewis was one of a 100 religious scholars in the United States to be a part of the Values and Voices Campaign 2017 (valuesandvoices.com) and again in 2021. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lewis is the Program Director for the Festival of Homiletics, a contributing writer for Working Preacher, and co-host of the site's weekly podcast, Sermon Brainwave, since its inception. Lewis leads conferences, workshops, and retreats internationally on the Gospel of John, the New Testament, interpreting the Bible, preaching, leadership, and women in ministry.
