Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat? 

Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat is an experience for Lutheran church workers—clergy, teachers, Directors of Christian Education, missionaries, and others—who need a renewal of the power and strength the The Lord designed for their calling; who need a recovery of their spiritual and emotional vitality in an atmosphere that is save, confidential, and restorative.

2. Who sponsors the Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat ministry?

Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat is an independent, non-profit, 501 c3 organization, with a Board of Directors made up of Lutheran lay leaders, clergy, and counseling professionals.

3. From where is funding for this ministry coming?

Donations from individuals, congregations, and foundations.

4. Are all rostered Lutheran church workers and their spouses welcome?

Yes!

5. Are clergy and spouses from other denominations welcome?

Yes, as space permits.

6. What happens at a SCR session?

Four client couples experience individual, couple, and group counseling. There is time for reflection, reading, resting, and physical exercise.

7. What is the daily schedule at a Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat session?

The session begins when the four client couples gather for dinner on Tuesday evening. After breakfast on Wednesday morning, there is a time of orientation. Couple and group counseling takes place each morning and afternoon with private sessions held in the evening upon appointment. Sessions continue on Thursday, Friday, half of Saturday. No sessions are held on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday sessions resume and the retreat ends with breakfast on Wednesday morning.

8. Who are the counselors/therapists and what is their training and experience?

SCR counselors include active and retired Christian Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Our counselors have a combined 300+ years of experience.

10. Does each SCR staff include a Chaplain and why?

The SCR Chaplain conducts morning and evening devotions, offers personal spiritual direction, and conducts an informal Sunday worship service.

11. Where are SCR sessions held?

At various and appropriate retreat centers such as Bison Ranch Retreat Center, Overgaard, AZ, and Heartwood Conference and Retreat Center, Trego, WI. Future session may be held in other locations as well. The SCR goal is to build a counseling and retreat center in a mountain area near Phoenix, AZ.

12. How much does a SCR cost?

For cost information, please Contact Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat at 800-783-3079

13. Are scholarship funds available?

Yes, upon request.

14. Does insurance over any of the funding?

In Lieu of insurance reimbursement we will provide scholarship assistance.

15. When are Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat sessions held?

Specific dates can be found at www.ShepherdsCanyonRetreat.org.

16. Is attendance at a SCR session completely confidential?

Will anyone know that I have attended a SCR? Yes, it is completely confidential. No, no one will know unless you let that be known!

17. What is the registration procedure?

Simple! Just Email info@ShepherdsCanyonRetreat.org or call 800-783-3079. The procedure is uncomplicated.

18. When did Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat begin?

The first Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat was held in March, 2009 and hosted by Bison Ranch in the Ponderosa Forest of Northeast Arizona. Subsequent retreats have been held at Bison Ranch and Heartwood Conference & Retreat Center in Wisconsin. Future retreats will be held at retreat centers in Arizona, Wisconsin, and in other states. One day we hope to have our own “home base”, located on 13.5 acres one hour east of the Phoenix area.

19. From where have Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat client come?

Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat clients have come from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Montana, Washington, California, Arizona, Ohio, South Dakota, Kentucky, and Indiana. You may find the comments of past clients at the link called Testimonials.