Pastoral Posture // 2026

Pastoral Posture is an annual retreat for those struggling in the mess of ministry life.

Join us this July for a short retreat led by Dan Steel, Principal and Ministry Program Director of Yarnton Manor.

Ministry has a way of exposing our fragility. The sense of falling short, the limp we carry from wounds along the way, the feeling of being far from the table — these are experiences many in ministry know but rarely name. This retreat invites us to sit with one of Scripture's most quietly profound stories: Mephibosheth, brought from obscurity and brokenness to eat at the king's table, not because of anything he had done, but because of a covenant kept.

Drawing on 2 Samuel 9 - and hearing it afresh through the echo of Jesus' own three parables in Luke 15 - Dan will explore what God's covenant kindness looks like for the broken and weary. The seeking shepherd, the searching woman, the running father: Jesus knew this story, and kept retelling it. This retreat is an invitation to receive it personally - and what it means for those of us leading others while carrying our own hidden wounds.

This is a time to slow down, receive grace afresh, and rediscover the posture that only comes from knowing we are welcomed before we are useful.

Our time will consist of 4 talks, with generous space to pray, respond and reset.

We have various ticket options open to you - whether staying for the whole thing in our accommodation, coming and going each day, or just coming for the Wednesday. If the option that you would like is not available then please do contact us at hello@yarntonmanor.com and we will see what we can do..

Early-bird discount prices are available until June 12th.

About the Speaker:

Dan Steel is Principal and Ministry Program Director at Yarnton Manor. A native Oxfordian, he has been a pastor and church planter in Oxford and Birmingham for over 20 years, and is the author of Wise Church Planting, a global research study drawing on voices from 27 countries to support struggling planters and ministry workers. He is passionate about sustainable, long-term ministry practices - helping those in ministry to flourish rather than merely endure. Dan is married to Zoe and is dad to Ellie, Barney, Josh and Abi.

Schedule: