About this Event
We are excited to announce the 2026 Weekender hosted by Castleview Church in Indianapolis, IN, on March 6-8, 2026.
What is the Castleview Weekender?
In 2015, the Mathena Center for Church Revitalization at Southern Seminary asked us to host seminary students for a weekend of training. We’ve been hosting this annually, expanding our attendees to include others.
The goal for each Weekend is to equip pastors and future pastors to lead a regular local church (like ours) to put a biblical vision into practice. This is accomplished through targeted teaching, discussion, and observation. In addition to hearing about strategic changes that have been made over the past 15 years, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in on:
- an elders meeting,
- a membership class,
- corporate worship,
- and a church-wide prayer meeting
—all in just over 48 hours.
Why attend this Weekender?
Every faithful pastor wants to lead a biblically faithful church. And God has told us much in his Word about church life. But for all resources written on this topic, how do we put it to practice? For this, there is no substitute for seeing biblical truth applied in real, regular churches.
Our church is far from perfect, but we aim to be a faithful model. We want to say, like Paul, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 3:17; 4:9)
You may not implement or agree with everything you see at our church—we’d be shocked if you do!—but we believe that you will be equipped to take a step toward greater faithfulness in your own church context.
Testimonials from past attendees
Our elders benefited a great deal from spending the weekend hearing and seeing how Castleview does ministry. We began incorporating some of what they do right away and continue to use what we learned. It was a refreshing weekend as the pastoral staff poured into us.
- Jason G., senior pastor
My time at the weekender was invaluable to my growth in understanding what pastoral ministry is about and how, as pastors, we should be laboring alongside our fellow pastors to best shepherd the flock of God among us. I really appreciated the sound biblical teaching on what the makeup of a healthy church, but I appreciated even more getting to see this in action. The time we spent observing an elder’s meeting at Castleview was so helpful in the way I now think about the puirpose of those meetings, both for the elder and the church, as well as what each individual elder’s role ought to be in that space. It was an added blessing to gather with Castleview church on Sunday morning to witness what really is the embodiment of healthy corporate worship and expository preaching.
- Zach L., pastoral resident
The Castleview Weekender was a great experience for our group! We brought a combination of elders, aspiring elders, pastoral interns, and staff pastors, and everyone benefitted from this weekend. The smaller and more relaxed nature of the event led to a great environment of relatability, question-asking, and conversation among our group.
- Will M., church planter
Weekender Schedule coming soon!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Castleview Church, 8601 Hague Road, Indianapolis, United States
USD 81.88 to USD 103.22
