Church branding retreat

fastest way to discover your church brand thread with leadership buy-in

Where research meets clarity and leaders discover focus

In a church leadership retreat, most churches try to “rebrand” by starting with a logo or a tagline. That’s why it stalls. Our Church Branding Retreat flips the process.

After deep audience research, listening groups, a secret shopper weekend, and brand and website audits, we bring your leadership together in a church leadership retreat for an eye-opening, high-energy retreat.

Together, we reveal what your community really thinks, who you’re actually reaching, and what your church needs to be known for.

By the end, your leadership leaves aligned, focused, and clear on the message lane that matters most.

How a Church Branding Retreat works

A church branding process no one else offers

No other church branding group in the U.S. does it this way.

And it’s intentional.

Before the retreat, our team gathers and analyzes:

Then we meet in person with your leadership team for a fast-paced, collaborative retreat designed for clarity, ownership, and momentum.

Why? Because branding without leadership buy-in never sticks.

What Happens at the Church Branding Retreat

What your leadership experiences

This is not a lecture. It’s not theory. And it’s definitely not boring.

  • Eye-opening data presentations that spark honest discussion

  • Interactive exercises that make branding make sense

  • Games, challenges, and moments that keep energy high

  • Real conversations about ministry tension, focus, and future direction. An inspiring church leadership retreat!

  • Plenty of time for questions, discussion, and prayerful discernment

Pastors often come in skeptical.

But they leave energized, aligned, and hopeful about their community and ministry again.

What you’ll have by Retreat's end

By the final session, most churches leave with:

  • Clearly defined audience personas

  • A focused church brand thread (your positioning)

  • Message fences to protect clarity across ministries

  • Initial SEO keyword direction tied to your mission

  • Ministry dreaming aligned to one message lane

  • The foundation of a church-wide communication strategy

After the retreat, the only major work left is:

Everything else starts here.

Why this Church Branding retreat works

Why leadership buy-in changes everything

When leaders see the data, hear the language, and discover the thread together, alignment happens naturally. Ministries stop competing. Communication simplifies. Decisions get easier.

This church leadership retreat helps leaders:

  • Understand the complexity of church branding

  • Agree on who you are for your community

  • Commit to communicating the same message everywhere

Clarity creates momentum

Who needs to be in the room

We recommend 6–10 participants, including:

  • Senior Pastor

  • Executive or Associate Pastors

  • Ministry leaders directly impacted by the rebrand

  • Communication staff

Optional attendees:

  • Ministry Assistants

  • Board or key lay leaders

  • Part-time ministry leaders

This retreat requires honest conversation and future-focused thinking. The right people help achieve the best outcomes.

NOTE: The Church Branding Retreat is included in the complete Be Known For Something Church Branding Framework.

A custom brainstorming leadership can be done on its own. Just ask.

Church Branding Retreat Led By Mark MacDonald

 The retreat is personally led by Mark MacDonald, church branding strategist, bestselling author of Be Known For Something, and trusted guide to thousands of churches. Mark brings decades of ministry, agency, and church communication experience into the room with clarity, humility, and practical insight. He leads a team of very capable Be Known For Something branding associates.

Preparing for your Church Branding Retreat

Choose dates

  • Ideal: 2.5 to 3 days

  • Smaller churches: 2 days

  • 7–8 hour days recommended

  • The final day can be shorter based on productivity and outcomes

Important: Our team needs at least one week after audience research and Secret Shopper visits to prepare this custom presentation.

Choose location

  • Off-site recommended for focus

  • On-site works if uninterrupted

  • Projector or large screen (HDMI)

  • Whiteboard or flip chart; markers

Food & hospitality

  • Snacks, coffee, drinks, and lunch provided by the church

  • Comfortable environment matters for creative thinking

Travel & lodging

  • We book our own travel (air, car, hotel)

  • Let us know if you’re staying at a retreat center so we can align

Then we take it from there.

Show up ready. We handle the rest.

Our team processes the research, builds the presentation, and designs interactive moments that keep leaders engaged. There’s nothing for you to prepare beyond showing up rested, on time, and ready to think about your community.

You'll leave this church leadership retreat with clarity, confidence, and a renewed heart for the people you’re called to reach.

Our Pastor Satisfaction survey: 97% Rate this Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The fastest path to a clear church brand starts here

If your church is ready to stop guessing and start focusing, the Church Branding Retreat is where clarity begins.

Let’s talk about dates and next steps.

Let's Talk

Church Branding Retreat Questions

What is a church branding retreat?

A church branding retreat is a multi-day, in-person church leadership retreat experience designed to clarify audience, message, and brand positioning using real research and collaborative discovery.

How long is the Church Branding Retreat?

Most churches choose a 3-day retreat. Smaller churches may complete it in 2 full days.

Is this included in your church branding package?

Yes. The retreat is a core part of our full church branding process and may also be scheduled intentionally as a standalone step.

Do we leave with a logo?

No. Logos come after clarity. The retreat delivers the brand thread and positioning that make visual identity effective.

How do we get started?

Start with a conversation. We will help you identify the right next step.

more FAQs