Retreat to Advance
Why Spiritual Retreats Matter for Christian CEOs
In the fast-paced world of leadership, silence feels counterintuitive. Solitude sounds inefficient. And extended time with God? Nearly impossible.
Yet, as countercultural as it may seem, retreating is essential for the Christian leader.
C12 believes in the radical truth that to advance in life and business, we must first step away. We must retreat to restore, reconnect, and reorient ourselves to the Source of all wisdom and strength.
What Is a Spiritual Retreat?
At C12, we define retreat as an intentional time of silence, solitude, and spiritual practices, separate from the demands of daily life, for the purpose of connecting deeply with God. It’s not a family vacation. It’s not rest on the couch. It’s not a guys’ golf weekend or a sabbatical. Those things matter—but a retreat is something different. It’s sacred. Set apart. Spirit-led.
Even Jesus retreated. When His ministry was growing, when decisions loomed, when emotions were high—He withdrew to desolate places to pray (Mark 6:30–31; Luke 5:16). Shouldn’t we do the same?
The Cost of Constant Hustle
John Mark Comer said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” The result is the same: disconnection from God, others, and even ourselves.
When we’re constantly leading, driving, and producing, we miss out on hearing the still, small voice of God. We begin to equate worth with productivity and busyness with effectiveness. But God’s design requires rhythms of retreat to sustain a life of impact.
At C12, we’ve seen a pattern: members who are thriving in revenue generation often rate themselves lowest in the area of retreat. High seasons bring pressure. Low seasons bring hustle. Both can tempt us to push harder—when what we may need most is to pull away.
The Rhythm of Retreat
Most of us don’t need a 30-day sabbatical to reconnect with God. We need a rhythm. Consider this simple formula:
- Restore Daily – Quiet time with God each morning.
- Rest Weekly – A true Sabbath practice.
- Retreat Regularly – A quarterly or annual practice of extended silence and solitude.
Whether it’s four hours alone at a local park or two days at a nearby retreat center, what matters is the intentional disconnection from activity and reconnection to God.
Some C12 leaders:
- Add solitude days onto family vacations.
- Take biannual silent retreats.
- Build a “no distractions” day into their calendar once a month.
- Use structured spiritual retreats like Journey of Generosity or Abiding in the Vine.
Start Small. Schedule It. Protect It.
James Clear, in Atomic Habits, suggests we start with something so small we can’t fail. Maybe that’s half a day this quarter. The key is to schedule it—literally put it on the calendar—and tell someone who will help you protect that time.
As you grow in this practice, you may find that time away becomes your most strategic leadership move. The clarity, conviction, and peace that come from unhurried time with God can transform not only your soul but also your leadership and decision-making.
Your Invitation to Retreat
If it’s been a long time—or perhaps you’ve never done this—here’s your invitation: come away (Mark 6:31).
Don’t let guilt or busyness keep you from what your soul desperately needs. Download our free C12 Retreat Guide and take the first step toward establishing a life-giving rhythm.
Resources
- C12 Ministry Curriculum: “Ministry—Retreating to Advance,” August 2023
- Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (InterVarsity Press, 2015)
- Barton, Ruth Haley. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (InterVarsity Press, 2008)
- Comer, John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
- Clear, James. Atomic Habits
- Ortberg, John. Soul Keeping (Zondervan, 2014)
- Zigarelli, Michael. “Obstacles to Growth Survey”
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