[S3EP24] How to Run a Staff Retreat That Actually Works: 4 Best Practices for Church Leaders

Welcome to episode 24 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Have you ever walked away from a staff retreat thinking, "That was a complete waste of time"? You're not alone — and it's completely avoidable.In this episode of the LeadingSmart Podcast, Holly Tate and Tim sit down to unpack what makes church staff retreats genuinely effective — and what makes them a drain on your team's time, energy, and budget.Whether you're planning your first leadership retreat or trying to make your annual all-staff offsite actually matter, these four best practices will help you design a retreat your team won't forget.In this episode, you'll learn:How to define a clear "win" before your retreat even startsThe difference between decisions to make vs. discussions to have (and why it matters)Who should actually be in the room — and when to split leadership vs. all-staff retreatsWhy a retreat isn't a retreat without intentional fun, shared meals, and real hang timeHow to fund a retreat even when it's not in your budgetPlus — Holly and Tim share their recent AI wins with Claude, ChatGPT, Descript, and Gemini, and how they're using these tools to save hours in their day-to-day work.📱 Follow us for more insights and resourcesInstagram: @timstevensFacebook: @timstevens💻Visit LeadingSmart.comNeed help facilitating your next staff retreat or strategic offsite? https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talkHouston listeners — join the Houston Roundtable on June 4th (only 25 spots). https://www.leadingsmart.com/houston-roundtableListen to Leading In Real Time Podcast Series https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2wnxRYYqm_ThAiSPBwjH7vQH5i3H3aKListen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years serieshttps://www.leadingsmart.com/podcastDownload The Simply Strategic Show https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2📩 Have questions or want to connect?https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodesApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadingsmart-podcast/id1813933962Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1IqLLXtvtZBEgRsM2gOXpO?s...