Independent Contractor: Ministry Leader’s Retreat Facilitator (Couple)

Focus On The Family Canada; Priddis; On-site; CAD 3,600 - 4,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free room and board during retreats

Job summary

Focus on the Family Canada in Alberta seeks a married couple to serve as independent contractors, co-leading and delivering eight-day ministry retreats for pastors and ministry leaders using the Sonscape model. Retreats are primarily at The Creek in Alberta, with flexibility for other locations if requested.

You bring at least 10 years of senior pastoral couple ministry experience, exposure to counselling or care, and strong relationship skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of practical pastoral couple ministry experience in a senior pastoral role.
• Experience in marital counselling or pastoral care, and event coordination is an asset.
• Experience in a Christian retreat setting is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead eight-day ministry couple retreat as husband and wife, primarily at the Alberta 'The Creek' location with flexibility for other sites.
• Aim to conduct a minimum of 8 retreats per year (excluding December).
• Maintain program integrity and adhere to the developed schedule.
• Provide follow-up care after a retreat to support ongoing wellbeing of ministry leaders.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Couple ministry

Event coordination

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position: Ministry Leader’s Retreat Facilitator (Couple)

Department: Church and Ministry Engagement

Term: Independent Contractor; Open to those interested in a consistent, scheduled partnership

Reports to: Director of Ministry and Community Engagement

Location: Foothills, Alberta; Additional Info: Couples are ideally residing in Alberta

Rates and Start Dates: $4000 per couple per retreat; as soon as possible (training to start in January)

About Us

Focus on the Family Canada is a Christian not-for-profit dedicated to helping families thrive since 1983. Through our programs, resources, and initiatives, we support individuals and families in navigating life's challenges with faith, resilience, and love. Rooted in biblical values, we believe in fostering strong, healthy relationships and empowering communities through compassionate and faith-based support. Learn more at www.focusonthefamily.ca

About the Department

Under the umbrella of Ministry and Community Engagement, the Kerith Retreats ministry provides focused retreat experiences grounded in biblical principles designed to renew and refresh pastors, ministry couples, and Christian leaders through personalized care, group sessions, spiritual encouragement, hospitality, and a restful retreat environment. Retreats include personalized care, group sessions, and coaching sessions to help guests deal with spiritual burnout, leadership struggles, relationship and/or personal issues.

About the Role

We are seeking a couple to serve as independent contractors who are willing to be trained to facilitate in the Leaders' Retreat Program using the Sonscape Retreat Model. You will both co‑lead and deliver retreat experiences that is spirit led as part of a husband‑and‑wife facilitation team that support the long‑term health, resilience, and effectiveness of pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, and their spouses through the Christian lens and perspectives. The role provides retreat facilitation, ministry care, relationship support, and participant engagement while ensuring retreat programs achieve meaningful spiritual, relational, and personal outcomes consistent with the mission of Focus on the Family Canada.

You are a warm, goal‑oriented couple with servant hearts who will relate well to pastors, guests, staff and volunteers. Most of all, you both strive to use your gifts to serve the Lord in building His Kingdom here on earth.

If you’re looking for a place where, as a couple, you can experience a strong sense of belonging and make a positive difference in a well‑established, mission‑driven organization, this may be the opportunity for you.

For a sample of the retreats schedule – https://kerithretreats.ca/retreats/ministry-leaders-renewal-retreat

Your responsibilities

1. Retreat Program Delivery & Participant Impact

• Co‑lead eight‑day ministry couple retreat as husband and wife, as developed, in conjunction with Focus' stakeholders, primarily at the Alberta "The Creek" location but with flexibility for other locations and opportunities if requested
• Capacity to lead a minimum of 8 retreats annually (except December)
• Maintain the integrity of program content by adhering to the program and schedule as developed
• Administer and interpret Myers‑Briggs Type Indicator and Taylor‑Johnson Temperament Analysis assessments
• Follow up and provide post retreat participant care after a year to support ongoing emotional, relational, spiritual, and vocational health of ministry leaders

Success Measures

• Retreat participants report meaningful personal, relational, and ministry benefit.
• Retreat programs are delivered consistently and effectively.
• Participant satisfaction and ministry impact outcomes remain strong.
• Positive alumni engagement and follow‑up outcomes.

2. Clergy Care & Ministry Leader Support

• In conjunction with the team, ensure the one‑year follow‑up procedures with retreat guests are maintained and adhered to according to the developed procedures
• Provide compassionate, Christ‑centred care and encouragement that supports ministry leaders in overcoming challenges and sustaining healthy ministry engagement.

Success Measures

• Participants receive personalized care and support.
• Ministry leaders experience increased resilience and well‑being.
• Appropriate guidance, referrals, and follow‑up support are provided.
• Retreat participants remain connected to available clergy care resources.

What You Bring

• Minimum 10 years’ practical pastoral couple ministry experience in a senior pastoral role;
• Ministry experience and/or training in marital counselling or pastoral care, and event coordination experience, are assets;
• Experience in a Christian retreat setting is highly desirable;
• Competent in the Microsoft Office suite;
• Myers‑Briggs Type Indicator and Taylor‑Johnson Temperament Analysis certification is an asset (training available);
• Strong marriage relationship, able to work together and share responsibilities while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance;
• Ability to warmly relate and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Flexible and creative in planning, and able to maintain a sense of perspective under pressure and when confronted by shifting priorities;
• Available to travel occasionally for promotion, training and team building;
• Retreat leaders are provided with free room and board during the retreat sessions if desired; scheduling during retreat weeks is more structured and less flexible; See the sample schedule here: Leader's Retreat Schedule
• You both thrive in a well‑organized, collaborative work environment;
• You remain flexible, with a track record of completing tasks on time and to a high standard, and of making sure details and guests are well cared for.

Other Requirements

This important role requires an individual who is able to sign and adhere to our Christian Foundations and Standards.