Why SGM is Offering a Silent Retreat for Church Leaders | A conversation with David Crawley

A conversation with David Crawley
SGM Silent Retreat for Clergy/Pastors Oct 2026

David Crawley has had a long involvement with Spiritual Growth Ministries. An Anglican priest, spiritual director, and supervisor, he brings many years of experience in theological education and spiritual formation. He serves at Titirangi Anglican Church alongside his wife, Sarah. David will be co-facilitating the Experiencing Emmaus retreat for church leaders with Fran Francis. Together, they will create a simple, spacious environment where church leaders can lay aside ministry expectations and become more attentive to God.

David, who is this retreat designed to serve? 

This retreat is specifically for church leaders. Whether they’re called pastors, ministers or priests, this is an opportunity for those who carry the responsibility of leading a church congregation to respond to Jesus’ invitation to his disciples: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

Why a retreat specifically for clergy/pastors?  What is at the heart of this offering from SGM?

Going back quite a few years, SGM used to offer an annual retreat for clergy. We thought it was about time to do that again!

As a spiritual director and supervisor, I have the privilege of offering a safe space for church leaders to reflect on the challenges (and the joys!) of their ministries. It’s a role in which they are always “on”, always giving of themselves, always mindful of the needs and expectations of their people. At times, it’s a costly calling, in ways that most people don’t see. We want to offer this retreat as an opportunity to take a break from all the doing for, and spend time just being with – with themselves and with God.

What shape will this three-day retreat take?

Sometimes the word “retreat” means a gathering where there is a lot teaching, corporate worship and catching up with colleagues. This not that kind of retreat!

It’s a silent, directed retreat. For those who haven’t experienced a retreat like this before, the idea of being (mostly) silent can sound intimidating. Pastors do a lot of talking and connecting, so it can take a little while to let all that go. The silence is not about living under a restriction, it’s about freedom!

On a retreat, silence liberates us from the usual social obligation to be available to one another. It frees us to focus on ourselves and our relationship with God, without feeling selfish. 

My experience is that by the end of a retreat, most people wish they could stay in the silence a bit longer!

What does that mean that this is a directed retreat?

A directed retreat means that there is opportunity each day to meet with a spiritual director, and talk about how the retreat is going. Because there is not a lot of structure to each day, it’s helpful to have some guidance as to how to use the time. In their spiritual direction conversations, people can process their experiences in nature, dreams, wonderings, discernment questions, aha moments in meditation, or whatever else may be happening – or not happening.

There will be a couple of times in the day when we gather as a group, for a simple time of reflection and prayer. These won’t be times for sharing and conversation, but being “alone, together,” listening for God. At the end of the final day, there will be an opportunity to share something from your retreat journey with fellow retreatants.

What can you share about the retreat venue ?

The St Francis Retreat Centre, otherwise known as the Friary, is my second home! I had my first retreat there 30 years ago, and I have had many retreats there since. It was founded by the Catholic Franciscan order in 1939, specifically for retreats. It’s surrounded by beautiful grounds and trees and is sited next to the Pah Homestead and reserve. Many people who spend time there would say that the peace of God is tangible. It’s a place that has been steeped in prayer over many decades.

Can you expand on the retreat theme ‘Experiencing Emmaus’?

Most pastors will have preached on the Emmaus Road story, from Luke 24. But they will have also lived it: doing their best to follow Jesus’ call, experiencing disappointment and disorientation, wrestling with the Scriptures, offering and receiving hospitality, experiencing moments of revelation, new orientation and renewed mission.

These experiences are not unique to church leaders. We all have times of disappointment and wondering if we have chosen the wrong path. But when you have a congregation of people looking to you for direction, encouragement and hope, there is a lot at stake! That’s why we chose this narrative as a backdrop to the retreat. It’s a starting point for reflection, but who knows where God will lead?

Why make a retreat?    

Each person’s experience of retreat is unique, but for most people it is a time to rest, refocus and reconnect with God’s love.

For me the most important thing about going on a retreat is that I am making myself available to God, with no other agenda. That can feel vulnerable, especially if we like being in the driving seat!

For those facing transition or a particular crisis, it can be a time of discernment and listening to God. As we let the turbulence of ministry subside, a deeper clarity develops. For others it will be part of their regular rhythm of spiritual practices. For several clergy I know, an annual retreat of several days’ duration has been a vital practice for staying in ministry for the long haul.

How has this looked in your own experience?  

As I look back on my own experience of life and ministry, as a lecturer, spiritual director and priest, retreats have been key to my sense of God’s love and direction. Some came at critical moments – Emmaus Road moments – and I still look back to those retreats as anchor points for my faith. Others have simply been part of my spiritual rhythms, times to refill the tank for the ongoing journey.

I’ve discovered that silence and solitude are essential to my spiritual wellbeing.

If I can, each month I spend a day at the Friary, just to catch up with myself and reflect. Without this, eventually I start running on empty, and that’s a risky thing to do!

What do you bring in your kete as facilitators of this retreat?

We bring a mix of experience in church ministry – Fran Francis with Vineyard, me with the Anglican Church – and involvement in spiritual direction, leading retreats and ministry supervision. For ten years, Fran has led the SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Programme, and I have worked alongside her as the assistant coordinator.

We will lead the brief times of gathering and offer daily spiritual direction. But it’s important to say that we don’t bring any agenda to this retreat, other than creating a space where church leaders can be themselves, lay aside the expectations of others, and be open to God.

How can people register for the retreat?

They can visit the ‘Experiencing Emmaus’ event listing on the SGM Retreat Calendar for more details about the retreat and can register by contacting Jenna Edgar (SGM Administrator) - on admin@sgm.org.nz.