Clergy Retreats

Pastoring in a Day of Political Turmoil: Clergy Seminar at Benediction Farm 2026.

We gather together to learn from one another in discussion. What have you experienced and what lessons have you learned in pastoring a congregation deeply divided politically? How has political division affected preaching, worship, and discipleship? How has it affected you personally? 

Format of the Day ​

9:30 – 10:00 Arrival and refreshments 

10 – 11:30 Opening discussion of the question 

11:30 – 12:30 Material presented by Dr. Gregory Thompson ​“Becoming Dissident Pastors: Nurturing Dissident Congregations” 

12:30 – 2:30 Lunch and further discussion with Thompson 

Introducing Gregory Thompson

Dr. Gregory Thompson serves as Founder and Principal of Convivium, a Creative Strategy Consulting Firm. He is the author of “The Welcome Table”, a column on Hospitality and Culture at Comment Magazine and co-author of the award winning Reparations: A Christian Call to Repentance and Repair. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia where he wrote his dissertation on the moral imagination of Martin Luther King, Jr. He is a Deacon in the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others, but is in process of transferring to DOMA.

Registration

Date: Thursday April 23rd

Cost: $30

Registration for this seminar is limited to 30.

All Retreats are at Benediction Farm, in beautiful, agricultural Madison County. We are about 35 minutes North of Charlottesville, or 90 minutes from Richmond or Dulles Airport.

5407 South Blue Ridge Turnpike

Rochelle, Virginia 22738

We look forward to this being a time of refreshment for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 434-242-3089