I awoke from the dream disturbed, yet alert, and glanced around the shepherd’s hut that was my home for three days. In one small room was everything I needed to be comfortably alone and to meet with God: a kitchenette, a washroom, a small sofa, and bunkbeds, set on a sheep farm in the green hills of Northern Ireland.
Though I have long moved in circles where retreat is regarded as essential to Christian leadership formation, I had resisted being alone and silent. Not because I viewed these practices negatively, but because they felt unnecessary for me. I have most readily encountered God in everyday life — through conversation, shared ministry, praying and thinking together. And yet, if I am honest, God has also met me most deeply in places of quiet, connected to the land and to my Creator.
Silence does not come easily to me. I externalize my thoughts and process them in conversation. I meet God in people every day. In recent years of leadership, I am rarely alone. Every moment of my day there is someone nearby — in meetings, offices, and at home. To “be still and know” God had become increasingly rare, even though surely this is the lifeblood of leadership.
As I entered a second term as President of Acadia Divinity College in 2025, I sensed the need for a fresh wind — a renewed vision for my leadership. We had just launched a new strategic vision, and I needed to hear from God if I were to run this next leg of the race. The first six years had been exhilarating and exhausting. Early in my term, as the pandemic erupted, I remember pleading with God in prayer. Skilled at reading the signs and charting direction, suddenly I could see nothing. A thick fog had descended, and all I could see were my own feet on a stony path.
In that moment, the Lord gave me a vision: the faint outline of a rocky path ahead and a sandaled heel that was surely his. Then I heard the words, “Follow me.” Throughout the pandemic and my first term, I leaned into that vision, trusting that if I did not rush ahead or lag behind, I would see his heel and follow faithfully.
Now the fog had lifted. The signs were visible again, but the terrain ahead was new and uncertain. I needed to know — clearly and personally — that God was with me if I was to lead boldly and depend entirely on him.
The Board generously provides time for retreat, and this year I knew with unusual clarity that I was called to three days of silence. I booked the shepherd’s hut and planned simple meals from a single bag of groceries. This was not a retreat of deprivation, but of simplicity. I brought only my Bible, a journal, and the book, Celtic Daily Prayer from the Northumbria Community, leaning into my ancestral roots and setting. The readings led me right away to the first half of Isaiah 30, which seemed to speak directly and meaningfully into our times.
On the first morning, after prayer, I lay back and sighed, “Lord, I’m tired. Hold me as I sleep.” I slept for an hour and had an unusually vivid dream. In it, I went to meet someone high up in an office building. Though he stood directly in front of me, amid a busy office, I could not see him. Exasperated, I insisted repeatedly, “I know you are here, but I can’t see you!”
The dream stayed with me the next day as I walked through the hills toward a spiritually ‘thin place.’ As I returned, I heard the words, “Turn aside.” And again, “Turn aside.” I looked left and right, seeing nothing, until I was stopped in my tracks and simply stood as the Lord met me and filled me afresh on the way.
The next morning, on my final day, I returned to Isaiah 30 to complete the chapter and read these words:
…Your Teacher will not hide himself any longer, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Here I received what I had come for. This sheep was assured of the Shepherd.
Our formation as leaders is never complete. God longs to be known by us, yet so often we turn aside from the fullness of our calling because of distraction and busyness. I have come to realize that silence is not optional, though it takes many forms. We need to give him room to define himself for our lives and leadership. I may well return to the hut again next summer. I will always be grateful for what God gave me there — and for the renewed courage to walk forward, seeing and hearing my Teacher once more.
Dr. Anna Robbins is President of Acadia Divinity College & Dean of Theology for Acadia University.
Perspectives on Amplifying Formation
As Anna reminds us, our formation as leaders is never complete. And there are many ways to pursue a “Shepherd’s Hut” experience in our spiritual formation. Here, we asked members of our community to share their perspectives on formation as an ongoing spiritual practice. From understanding what and who forms us to adopting rhythms that build spiritual awareness, these leaders echo the truths Anna gleaned in the silence and give us practical signposts on our journey towards formation.
Choose to be Formed by Jesus
Rev. Hannah Bartlett (’20) has been Next Gen Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church on Prince Edward Island since 2020 when she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from ADC. Her ministry is helping young people in the shaping of their faith. She says the development of our habits, thoughts, actions, and character happens through both outward and inward influences.
“Despite what culture tells us, we are not self-made or self-formed beings,” says Hannah. “Formation is not a choice as much as it is an inevitable process: we are all constantly being formed, whether that is by Christ, Netflix, our relationships, or our patterns.”
But she believes we have a choice in who and what we allow to form us.
Cooperate with the Spirit
Rev. Dr. Harry Gardner (’77), President Emeritus of Acadia Divinity College, agrees. He believes we are all formed spiritually, but where some people are formed in Christ, others are shaped by different influences.
With a doctorate in spiritual formation and having taught the subject for years, Harry has met many people who are “spiritual” and try to live by the “Golden Rule.” However, they have not found their meaning and grounding by focusing on discipleship to Jesus.
“When I taught at Acadia, I made it clear that the focus of the class was on Christian Spiritual Formation,” Harry explains. “In this, we are not left to try to become a certain kind of person, but we cooperate with the Spirit of God to produce the fruit of Galatians 5:22-23. I believe this represents the character of God as revealed through Jesus.”
Cultivate an Awareness of God’s Presence
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Beals (’16) believes spiritual formation begins with an awareness of God’s presence. She has been exploring this for years as Director of Sozo Centre for Soul Care with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada.
“When we pay attention to God’s presence and develop what I call ‘holy curiosity’ about the Trinity, we begin to fan a desire to experience more of God,” says Cheryl Ann. “Our desire draws us into an attuning process with God. We yield to his power, shaping and forming us according to his will.”
Cheryl Ann refers to this process as The Examen.
“The examen asks the question ‘Where have I seen God today?’ or ‘How has God been present today?’ And the opposite, ‘Where did I miss God’s presence today?’ At the end of the day, ask the Spirit to make you aware of God’s presence.”
Cheryl Ann believes practicing the presence of God includes doing an activity with God — going for a walk or even washing the dishes. She encourages individuals to intentionally be with God in everyday activities and to notice how he is present.
Embrace Lifelong Formation
Much like Anna, Harry is finding that spiritual formation is a lifelong process and involves slowing down. Even after years of leadership, he says he is still discovering what it means to be formed.
“I am learning that when I take time to slow down and listen to God speak through his Word and by his Spirit, I receive the direction in leadership that I need,” says Harry. “I also recognize that I do not engage this learning and growing on my own but as I trust God to work through his people, the Church.”
Rev. Hannah Bartlett (’20) is Next Generation Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church on Prince Edward Island.
Dr. Harry Gardner (’77) is President Emeritus of Acadia Divinity College.
Dr. Cheryl Ann Beals (’16) is Director of the Sozo Centre for Soul Care with the Canadian Baptist of Atlantic Canada.
