Begins Winter 2026
AGENTS OF CHANGE
A cohort for preachers examining their power to lead transformative change from the pulpit.
In today’s climate, preachers bear the unique weight of public proclamation. But preachers also have an opportunity to lead in powerful ways when they consider their own identity as a preacher, explore their gifts for leadership, and examine the systems in which they preach. We are looking for leaders who preach within a community and are a regular voice in the pulpit – longing to lead so that their communities deepen purpose and forward action.
This Preaching for Change cohort is a year-long journey for preachers committed to claiming your growth, owning your voice, and building your circle. This cohort is not about the mechanics of preaching. Instead, this is an opportunity to explore who you are as a preacher. Using dedicated time at a retreat and group sessions throughout the year, the cohort experience will be an opportunity to practice new ways of being that invest in the health of each leader so that they can return to their communities and embody the transformative work that leads to justice and liberation.
The cohort is focused on three areas:
Claim Your Growth
Examine the systems and patterns shaping your leadership. Step beyond the status quo and into intentional transformation. Reimagine how you lead, live, and embody wholeness — starting with yourself.
Own Your Voice
Explore how you show up in the pulpit to preach with clarity, courage, and conviction. Align your message with your deepest values and let your voice be shaped by Spirit.
Build Your Circle
You weren’t meant to do this alone. Connect with a cohort of preachers who get it — leaders who will challenge, affirm, and sustain you for the long haul.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR WINTER 2026
APPLY FOR THE COHORT
All interested candidates should apply using the application form by October 15, 2025. Rolling acceptance will be available after that date, if space allows. Participants will be notified of their acceptance into the cohort in mid-October. For a fuller view of the timeline and program, see below.
Applications are still be accepted on a rolling basis.
Core Commitments
PREACH
Preachers who are a regular voice in the pulpit within a community or church.
GATHER
Participate fully in the February retreat and group coaching sessions.
COACHING
Engage in individual and group coaching provided by NEXT Church coaches.
COMMUNITY
Be open to conversations, practices, processes, and feedback.
LEADERSHIP
Chip Low
Cohort Lead/Coach
Shani McIlwain
Coach
Brett Pinder
Coach
Jen James
Leader
Financial Commitments and Logistics
COST
Participant Cost: $950
Actual Cost: $4500
Because of our Preaching for Change grant from The Lilly Endowment, Inc. we are able to offer this cohort at a steep discount to participants.
Payment Schedule:
- $150 is due at the time of commitment (November 7)
- $800 is due by December 15 (payment plans upon request)
We encourage applicants to reach out to their mid council leaders, governing body staff, and/or denominational offices to seek financial support for this cohort experience.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Retreat
- all meals
- up to $400 in travel reimbursement
- 4 nights at the retreat center
- group and individual coaching sessions
Cohort
- one 90-minute introductory group session
- six 90-minute group coaching sessions
- one 90-minute closing group session
- eight 50-minute individual coaching sessions
- peer support for preaching
RETREAT DETAILS
All participants in the cohort are expected to attend the Agents of Change Retreat at Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center outside of Baltimore, MD on February 9-13, 2026.
SCHEDULE
Monday, Feb 9 @ 5pm – Participants must arrive to the retreat center by 5pm.
Monday, Feb 9 @ 6pm – Opening Dinner
Tuesday, Feb 10-Thursday, Feb 12 – Cohort sessions, small groups, individual coaching
Friday, Feb 13 @ 1pm – retreat concludes after lunch
TRAVEL AND LODGING
Up to $400 in travel expenses will be reimbursed. Participants are responsible for booking their own travel, including any transportation to and from the airport, parking, etc.
NEXT Church will reserve all cohort participants a single room for four nights (Monday-Thursday).
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Pre-Retreat Meeting
The cohort will gather on Zoom on January 26 @ 3:30-5:00pm ET // 12:30-2:00pm PT to meet the coaches, get aquainted with the other members of the cohort, begin to shape the group commitments and expectations, and lay out a framework for the year together.
At the Retreat
All participants in the cohort are expected to attend the Agents of Change Retreat at Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center outside of Baltimore, MD on February 9-13, 2026.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- community work of learning from one another
- personal reflection and individual coaching
- large group sessions focusing on values, alignment of intention and impact, systems assessment, and leadership development
- smaller group conversations to dig deeper, both personally and contextually
- time for rest and space to reconnect with the heartbeat of God
- good food, laughter, and the joy of being together in community
Arc of the Year
The arc of the year will be supported by a mixture of group and individual coaching. Because we believe people are the experts of their own contexts and lives, NEXT Church uses coaches to support leaders to unlock their own potential. Coaching is designed to empower clients to find their own solutions and take ownership of their growth. Read more about NEXT Steps Coaching, our coaching philosophy, and our team.
Here is a closer look:
- Support through six 1.5 hour group coaching sessions throughout the year to engage with one’s individual identity and agency, systems exploration, and pratical application and integration of skills. The group will use the following resources to support learning and growth:
- preaching feedback sessions
- assessment resource Cultivated Ministry
- Antiracism as a Way of Being
- group processing
- Eight individual coaching sessions with an assigned coach
SPREAD THE WORD
Please help us share this opportunity with great people. Here are two ways you can help:
-
- Share directly with friends and colleagues.
- Share/use our media folder for official communications.
Timeline
August 12, 2025
Application Process Opens
October 15, 2025
Completed Applications Due
End of October 2025
Participant Selections Announced
November 7, 2025
Commitment Forms Due
January 26, 2026
Introductory Virtual Gathering
February 9-13, 2026
Agents of Change Retreat
Cohort Meetings @ 3:30-5:00pm EST
April 16
May 21
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19, 2026
Closing Virtual Gathering
OUR NEXT CHURCH PHILOSOPHY
Transforming Ourselves Transforms Systems
We believe in order to change the systems around you, you have to start with yourself. When we begin with our own behaviors and actions to seek personal growth, we enter into the world transformed. The gathered Church is not an escape from the world. We believe it is a place where we practice new ways of being to resist to the ways of the world that lead to oppression and division. We return to our communities, schools, and workplaces changed so that we embody the transformative work that leads to justice and liberation.
Questions?
Email Jen James with inquiries.
