Guest Minister: Christie Skoorsmith
Dates: May 15-17, 2026
Where: Butte, Montana
Theme: Ready to Respond: Leading Congregations into God's Future
Registration: https://pci.jotform.com/iwestcofchrist/2026-leadership-retreat
Cost: Early Bird Discount until May 1 - $100
Cast: Early Bird Discoun tAfter May 1 - $125
For More Information Contact:
IWMC Communications communications@cofchrist-iwest.org
Schedule: View and Print Here
Join in a weekend of formation, skill-building, and shared imagination designed to help congregational leaders strengthen their confidence and capacity as leaders with the vision and skills to respond to a changing world.
At this retreat, attendees will:
- Gain practical tools they can take home and use immediately
- Reimagine congregational life for a younger, more digital, more diverse world
- Lead change in ways that are faithful to Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles and Mission Initiatives
This is about equipping leaders to respond faithfully to what is already happening. This retreat is honest about the challenges congregational leaders are facing and grounded in the real, everyday life of our communities. It is practical rather than abstract, offering tools and ideas leaders can actually use, while remaining hopeful without being naïve about the work ahead. Participants are invited to try new things, share both wisdom and failure, imagine boldly together, and trust that God is still at work in and through our congregations.
This isn’t just a retreat where you sit and listen. It’s a space to reflect, connect, try new things, and leave with ideas you can actually use. Whether you’re a pastor, part of a leadership team, or someone who simply cares about the future of your congregation, you belong here.
Christie works for Community of Christ as the International Services Lead. She has a BA in International Peace Studies from Graceland, an MA in Peace and Development Studies, and is working on her PhD in Business Management. She has spent most of her career working for social ventures in the medical device industry. She also teaches part-time for the University of Washington's Global Business Program.
Guest Minister: Zilphia Martin IV
Guest Ministry
Zilphia Martin IV (she/her) will lead us in Data-Informed Ministry, offering a thoughtful and faithful approach to using what we’re already learning about our communities to make wiser, more mission-aligned decisions. We’ll look at how patterns in participation, engagement, giving, and community context can offer insight into the health and direction of our ministries. This approach invites us to see data as one voice in a larger process of shared discernment.
The retreat will be held at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Butte, Montana. There is a room block for this retreat. The room price is $114.00 plus taxes per night, paid directly to the hotel.
La Quinta Inn & Suites
1 Holiday Park Dr
Butte, MT 59701
Reservations can be made by:
- Phone: (833) 312-9456
- Online: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com
Group code: CHLR
Across the Inland West Mission Center, many of our congregations are small but deeply committed to Christ’s mission. Smaller communities have unique strengths: strong relationships, shared leadership, and meaningful discipleship. This retreat is an opportunity to celebrate those strengths, learn practical tools, and imagine together how God is calling our congregations to serve with hope, creativity, and courage in this moment.
The Spirit is still moving among us. This retreat is an opportunity to listen, learn, and step forward with hope into the next chapter of our shared ministry.
Location and Directions
Christie Skoorsmith (she/her) will lead our keynote session, Seeing Yes: The Desire Path, helping us explore how new, life-giving paths are already forming in our communities and how saying yes can open doors we didn’t know were there. Through guided conversation and a hands-on exercise, participants will begin identifying the “desire paths” in their own congregations and explore where God might be inviting them to step forward in faith. She’ll also be offering optional morning yoga and mindfulness practices, creating space to begin each day grounded and attentive to the Spirit.
cOSTS
Zilphia is a lifelong member of Community of Christ and serves as one of the pastors at the Troy Oaks congregation in Michigan. With experience as a teacher and elder, she is passionate about thoughtful, sustainable ministry that strengthens communities. Zilphia has been actively involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the church, supporting initiatives that create safe and welcoming spaces. Professionally, she works in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), bringing over a decade of experience in cybersecurity strategy and organizational transformation, with a focus on making complex systems more human-centered.
Christian is an elder in the church and has worked for the church in the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center and as President of the Europe Mission Center. He works in mental health in Seattle, Washington. Christian earned his Master's from Community of Christ Seminary and is now in his final year of doctoral studies in psychology. His passion for congregational life includes meaningful music, scripture study, preaching, and offering a pancake breakfast at his congregation on Sunday mornings.
Christian Skoorsmith (he/him) will guide us in Singing the Kindom Into Being, reimagining how music can shape worship and discipleship in small congregations. We’ll consider how musical choices—lyrics, rhythm, origin, and context—can open new pathways for inclusion, expression, and mission. Throughout the weekend, he’ll also weave in musical devotional moments, helping us experience worship in a way that feels alive, participatory, and meaningful.
Early Bird Registration Discount
If you register by May 1st is $100
Registration after May 1st will be $125
Registration fees can also be paid at the retreat check-in table on Friday evening by card, cash, or check payable to Community of Christ.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Michelle Phillips at mphillips@cofchrist-iwest.org or Sandy Decker at sdecker@cofchrist-iwest.org
Camperships Available: We want everyone to feel welcome. While all are asked to pay the registration fee, we know that sometimes finances can be a challenge. If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to request a campership. We’re happy to help make it possible for you to attend. Once you apply, Mission Center Leadership will be in touch to work with you.
Camperships do not include travel or accommodations.