Goldenwood hosted its first Summer Intensive for a group of pastors, ministry leaders, and other professionals, who are passionate about breathing new life into their vision of work. Over the course of the three-days, each session was designed to create a transformative experience, blending theological reflection, practical applications, and experiential learning, and guiding the participants on a journey of spiritual formation that awakened their own imagination for what work could be. This intensive was a unique opportunity for tired workers to connect deeply with God and like-spirited individuals, inspiring and revitalizing their sense of calling. Through a variety of learning formats, participants were exposed to the concept of “spiritual permanence” as they wrestled with the question of how the gospel enlivens work.
Greenville itself provided a wonderfully hospitable environment. Over the course of the three days, we experienced the delight of a “garden city” with Falls River gushing right through downtown, feasted at The Anchorage (an award-winning restaurant whose tasting menu does not disappoint!), and gazed at the beauty of local artist Joey Bradley‘s studio and gallery space in West Greenville. Grateful for long-time connections leading us to new friends and abundant generosity!
It was incredible to see a community form in such a brief time, with each participant actively involved in the discussions, sharing personal stories, challenges, and insights. The exercises and group activities fostered a sense of vulnerability and trust, allowing attendees to connect on a deeper level from the very beginning. A few key highlights from the feedback include participants expressing:
- Renewed Sense of Purpose: Many participants expressed a renewed sense of purpose and passion for their work, having been inspired by the integrative approach to faith and work presented during the intensive.
- Deepened Spiritual Awareness: Participants shared how the various exercises and practices, such as the body scan and listening to their bodies, helped them deepen their spiritual awareness and presence, particularly in the context of their work.
- Collaborative Spirit: Participants highlighted the value of connecting with like-minded individuals and fostering a collaborative spirit that will inspire and empower them to revive their work with love.
- Experiential Learning: The emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning was widely appreciated, as it allowed participants to actively engage with the material rather than just passively absorb information.
- Excitement for CityGuilds: The concept of “CityGuilds” generated a lot of enthusiasm among the attendees, who saw the potential for these collaborative ecosystems to catalyze transformation within their local communities.
- Desire for Continued Engagement: Many participants expressed a strong desire to continue their engagement with the Goldenwood community and the evolving approach to faith and work presented during the intensive.
Goldenwood continues to be committed to seeing dead work come alive through the power of the gospel. We plan to offer this intensive again in 2025 at least once if not more regularly in order to respond to the interest and desire for this kind of experiential learning. Please stay tuned via the Events page and join the Goldenwood Portal to participate in the conversations and interactions across the Goldenwood community.