The Story of Pastors, Priests & Guides…

It all started when…

In 2014, a small community in Chicago committed together to “learn how to re-arrange our lives in order to put Jesus’ words into practice for the sake of the world.” This ecumenical, experimental, neo-liturgical, eucharistic, practice-based community became The Practice.

Along the way, they kept hearing from other Christians and Christian leaders who were exhausted by the same old systems and experimenting in similar ways. In 2016, The Practice team hosted the first Practice Pastors’ Retreat at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House. This was a beautiful and holy space for leaders to be guided into unforced rhythms of Grace, and then learn the concrete tools to lead others in these same rhythms. In 2018, they hosted the second retreat, now called Pastors, Priests & Guides, and experienced a similar move of God’s Spirit.

In 2019, Aaron Niequist moved to NYC to get his master’s at General Theological Seminary. Although not an Episcopalian, he is deeply moved by the liturgy and the seminary’s commitment to urban monastic rhythms. He continues to find life in the intersection of evangelical hospitality, Anglican sacramental imagination, and Ignatian spiritual practice.

While discussing their shared burden for the many exhausted and disillusioned Christian leaders, General Seminary’s Dean Rev Michael DeLashmutt invited Aaron to bring Pastors, Priests & Guides to NYC.

On May 23-25th, 2022, seventy-five clergy from around the country (and the world) came to NYC for our most ecumenical and diverse gathering yet. It was a truly graced retreat, thanks be to God. In 2023, we gathered in Houston, NYC, and Chicago, and in Chicago, Philly, and Malibu in 2024 for similarly meaningful retreats.

Much has changed in the last few years, but the core passion of this retreat remains the same: First, to offer a safe space for leaders to slow down and learn concrete practices that dip them back into God’s healing river. Second, to meet and encourage others on a similar journey. Third, to explore and dream about the tools we need to help our communities swim in these deep streams. Rest for the soul, solidarity, and fuel for the holy imagination.