Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?

Matthew 20:22 NRSVue

Spirituality & Leadership 

Reflecting on Jesus’ question, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:22), the 2027 Teleios Conference will explore Christian leadership through the lens of Christian spirituality. 

Leadership can be viewed through many different lenses— the coaching lens, the corporate lens, the military lens, the charismatic leader lens, the authoritarian lens, the pastoral lens, the servant lens, etc. How we view leadership is important. An improper lens can skew our view of leadership. Howard Thurman advised, “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

This year’s conference will explore various themes: how leaders are formed spiritually, the relationship of the leader and their community, maturing through trauma in leadership, and what it means to drink the cup as Jesus describes. 

Our select speakers are seasoned scholars and practitioners representing various areas of expertise, including theology and psychology, and have served in Christian leadership in a variety of roles. There will be a time of question and response after each presentation. 

There will also be time to share meals and fellowship with other leaders and learners at the beautiful conference center at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. The space promotes an atmosphere of reflection, fellowship, and discernment. 

The Teleios Conference promises to be an inspiring and transformative conference. Please join us March 4-6, 2027, for three days of learning, growth, and engagement on Spirituality & Leadership. 

Teleios Conference 2026 Speakers

ALL SPEAKER BIOS

Teleios Conference 2027 Schedule

Plenary sessions will take place on campus at the Conference Center at the University of St. Mary at the Lake.

  • Registration Details/Summary

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Thursday | March 4, 2027

  • Whether crafting a stained-glass window or crafting the human soul, forms of art require theoretical and practical knowledge. Knowledge of the craft (its ends and means) and knowledge how to craft (its embodied dispositions, skills, and practices). Unfortunately, both types of knowledge—knowledge about the process and knowledge of how to proceed—can be lost. For instance, when there are no longer any or many persons who know what it takes to hand-build a wood canoe, the idea of building one seems out of reach. This paper explores the recurring tendency of the Christian church, broadly construed, to mislay the understanding and informed practice that is required to make substantial progress in becoming like Christ. While not an extinct craft, the art of being conformed to Christ’s likeness has been on the endangered craft list for some time. After canvassing some of the historical, cultural, ecclesial, and personal conditions that have recently obscured the art of becoming Christlike, we turn to what it would take to reclaim the required understanding and know-how of Christian sanctification. 

    Speaker Bios

Friday | March 5, 2027

  • Thank you!

Saturday | March 6, 2027

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