The Invitation - Nonprofit Leaders Cohort
The Invitation is a small-group cohort, with 6 members in each group, built on a simple conviction: who you are becoming matters as much as what you are building.
Over six months, you’ll step away from the demands of leadership long enough to pay attention to what God is doing in you. Alongside a trusted group of peers, you’ll reflect on your story, your calling, the season you’re in, and the leader you’re becoming.
The order matters. Soul care comes first. Healthy leadership grows from there. And healthier leaders build healthier organizations.
The Tension
You carry the mission, the staff, the budget, and the board. Most days, there isn't much margin left for your own soul and health. And over time, leading from an empty place takes a toll, not only on you, but also on the people and mission you've been entrusted to lead.
Most leadership programs give you more to do: more frameworks, more tactics, and more goals. The Invitation begins somewhere different.
It begins with who you're becoming.
Who It's For
The Invitation is designed for executive directors, CEOs, and senior leaders of Christian nonprofits who:
- Carry significant responsibility for people, mission, and organizational leadership
- Sense that the pace and weight of leadership may be outpacing the health of their soul
- Want space to reconnect with God, their calling, and the leader they’re becoming
- Value honest conversation with a small, trusted group of peers
- Are looking for formation, not simply another leadership conference or set of tools
You don’t have to be burned out or facing a crisis to participate. The Invitation is for leaders who
want their inner life and leadership to remain deeply connected.
How It Works
Six Months
November through March
One 90-minute group session each month with a small group of nonprofit leaders
One-on-One Coaching
Optional one-on-one coaching: one 60-minute session each month with a trained coach
Online Sessions
All sessions are online, making it possible to participate from wherever you lead
Cohort Packages
The Invitation | Group Cohort
- One 90-minute small-group session each month
- Six-month experience
- Investment: $225 per month
The Invitation | Group + Individual Coaching
- One 90-minute small-group session each month
- One individual 60-minute coaching session each month
- Six-month experience
- If you are interested in this, please contact leadership@winshape.org for further discussion and details.
Scholarships are available. Everyone has a seat at the WinShape table. If price is a barrier, let us know and we will do our best to help.
Your Guides
You'll be guided by leaders who understand both the weight of leadership and the importance of tending to the person carrying it.
The Invitation is offered by WinShape Leadership and powered by Surrender Network.
What You'll Walk Away With
- Clarity about who you are, the season you’re in, and what God may be inviting you into next
- Community with trusted peers who understand the unique weight of nonprofit leadership
- Care for your soul, with practices and perspective that help you continue leading faithfully for the long haul
- Courage to lead from conviction rather than pressure, comparison, or striving
You don't have to carry leadership alone
Your organization needs your leadership. But it also needs you healthy.
The Invitation is an opportunity to step out of the pace of leadership, pay attention to what’s happening beneath the surface, and reconnect with the person God is forming you to be.
You spend so much of your life making space for others. This is space for you.
FAQ
How much time does it take?
The group cohort requires approximately 90 minutes each month. If you choose the Group + Coaching experience, you’ll also participate in one 60-minute individual coaching session each month.
Is this a training program?
Not in the usual sense. The Invitation is formation first. Rather than beginning with more tactics or techniques, it creates space to tend to your identity, story, calling, and inner life. Practical leadership growth flows from that foundation.
How is The Invitation different from executive coaching?
Executive coaching typically focuses on individual goals, decisions, or leadership challenges. The Invitation is a shared formation experience rooted in identity, story, spiritual reflection, and trusted community. Individual coaching is available for participants who want additional space to process and apply what they are learning.
How personal does the conversation get?
The Invitation creates space for honest and meaningful conversation, but you will never be pressured to share more than you are ready to share. Your cohort will establish expectations for trust, respect, and confidentiality from the beginning.
Do I need to be in a difficult season to participate?
No. The Invitation is not only for leaders experiencing exhaustion or crisis. It is for any Christian nonprofit leader who wants to remain attentive to the health of their soul and lead from a grounded, integrated place.
What if I miss a session?
Because each session is part of a live small-group experience, participants are encouraged to prioritize all six gatherings. If you need to miss a session, please notify your cohort leader as early as possible. Missed sessions are not refundable or rescheduled and will be considered delivered under the terms of the program. We’d love you to join all of them to gain the full value of the experience.
Can more than one person from my organization join?
Yes. More than one senior leader from an organization may apply. Each person should submit an individual application, and placement will depend on cohort capacity and fit.
What kind of nonprofit leaders will be in my cohort?
Cohorts are made up of executive directors, CEOs, and senior leaders from Christian nonprofit organizations. While participants may serve in different ministry areas, they share the experience of carrying significant responsibility for people, mission, and organizational health.
Lead from a healthier place.
Make space to pay attention to your story, reconnect with your calling, and lead alongside people who understand the weight you carry.