Taking the Wisdom Journey Home!

Rockford, IL | May 26-29, 2026

Our world, including Crucible, needs servant elders – those who model and share their godly character and serve willingly and intentionally. It’s time for us to shift out of our first half of life's "heroic journey"- that which got us where we are - to the second half of life's "wisdom journey", where we bring openhanded grace to share what we have learned with wisdom and humility. It’s easy to become old without maturity, to be opinionated without understanding, and wanting respect without having earned it. This retreat will initiate us on our elder journey together to grow as people of character, acceptance, and understanding. This retreat will help us bring our eldership with purpose and intentionality into our worlds.

When: Tuesday, May 26 – 5:30-5:45 pm to Friday May 29 – 3:00 pm 

 

Where: Rockford, IL (1 hrs 15 minutes from O’Hare). Carpool from O’Hare can be arranged with local Crucible staff.

 

Cost: $750

 

Retreat Eligibility:

  1. TCP Elder Council Members/Lead Elders, or
  2. TCP Lead Elder Candidates, or
  3. Men or women committed to living out eldership in their communities.

For those fitting eligibility criteria #3 above, priority will be given to TCP men and women aged 60+, who are active in their own soul work through groups or staffing and who have a heart for serving their world by bringing elder energy.

Maximum retreat count: 40 men and women

 

About the retreat (what to expect):

  • The retreat will be at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford, IL. They will provide private motel-like bedrooms which include private bathrooms, meeting rooms, food services, and the grounds of the retreat center.
  • This weekend will have an initiatory arc while also having the energy of second level weekends where we all form the weekend container as initiated Redwoods. It will not be an ordeal. Food and sleep should be more than adequate.
  • Like all TCP retreats there will be a combination of large group, small group, individual exercises, and solo time for work and contemplation.
  • We will be located in a rural setting. There will be time to walk the retreat grounds, do journaling or contemplative exercises outdoors, and in the evening, sitting outside around a fire, etc. It’s late May in IL. It could be rainy, warm or it could be cold. Pack accordingly.
  • For those flying to the retreat, this is close to the Chicagoland area. Drivers from Chicago can assist those flying into Chicago.
  • More about our retreat site is here: Bishop Lane Retreat Center


Application Form (click here)


Applications will be reviewed within 2 weeks of submission and you will receive an email inviting you to a conversation with a retreat staff member. With input from the information on the application, the conversation will be to ascertain your understanding and readiness for this retreat. Acceptance will be confirmed following the conversation and you may secure your spot with a deposit. First come, first served. A waiting list will be established when the retreat is full.


 $350 Deposit is due upon acceptance. Balance will be due by May 1, 2026.


Expect to receive pre-retreat assignments, packing list, and directions to the facility upon acceptance and payment.