Discernment Labs

An 18-month program designed for those who accompany young adults

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN AND DUE OCTOBER 20

Build Your Capacity and Shape the Next Generation of Leaders

Young adults need active communal support as they discern meaning, purpose, and God's call in their lives. FTE provides cohort-based Discernment Labs for leaders who accompany young adults in their vocational exploration of Christian ministry. This opportunity is centered on faith leaders who are interested in learning, experimenting, and innovating together in a peer learning experience to strengthen how they journey with and support young adults in discernment.

For 18 months, participants will be introduced to FTE’s DISCERN Together Framework, which introduces FTE’s proven six disciplines of discernment and the science behind their efficacy. Participants will have a chance to reflect on the practices they already utilize within the disciplines, where they are strongest and where they need more support.

Using a grant of up to $15,000, participants will develop a project to experiment with the disciplines in their unique contexts. In the closing retreat, participants will share back what they have learned and how the disciplines have impacted the vocational discernment of the young adults they accompany. Between retreats, FTE will build and weave together an online community.

Applications are now open for the Collegiate and Congregational cohorts. If you know someone who might be a good fit for one of these cohorts, help us spread the word and nominate them. 

Applications for the Collegiate and Congregational cohorts are due October 20, 2025.

Apply Now

Important Dates

2025 Applications

The 2025 Collegiate and Congregational Cohort Applications Open August 15, 2025.

Applications for Collegiate and Congregational cohorts are due October 20, 2025

Virtual Information Sessions

Interested in learning more? Join us for one of our virtual information sessions.

2026 Applications

Applications for the 2026 Church-Related Organizations Cohorts open February 1.


See FAQ below for a list of more important dates for the specific cohorts.

Cohort Benefits


A community of peers to explore questions about accompanying discerning young adults

A community of peers to explore questions about accompanying discerning young adults

All participation expenses paid (excluding travel)

All participation expenses paid (excluding travel)

Access to exclusive grants (up to $15,000)

Access to exclusive grants (up to $15,000)

Coaching from facilitators with 25 years of combined experience

Coaching from facilitators with 25 years of combined experience

“ This discernment lab has given me and our institution a framework for not only working through discernment but also planning and evaluating the work that we are doing. ” 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
“ I would definitely encourage anyone to participate in this program as it gives them an opportunity to build community with like-minded individuals but with enough differences in geographical locations and faith traditions to broaden our horizons and help us to see outside of our normal boxes. It gives us a community of friends and colleagues that we are able to share our struggles and celebrations with as well. ” 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
“ The lab helped me to be creative, innovative, collaborative, and brave about inviting my young adults into the faithful work of discernment. I also feel it prepared me to be a better minister to all the people of God through the idea of accompaniment. ” 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
“ This closing retreat was so helpful for me. I loved that we were able to share resources with one another and encourage each other. I also love the new DISCERN Together framework. I will be presenting this to my congregation. ” 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
“ I really love the framework and vernacular language supplied by the disciplines to explain what I do, expand what I do, and share why the work is important. ” 2023 - 2024 Discernment Lab Participant
Frequently Asked Questions

Participating leaders must:

  • Be in the United States or Canada
  • Be working in already established programs with young adult discerners at the intersection of vocational exploration and discernment of Christian ministry and service. Note: This is not appropriate for those who have not yet started a young adult program; you should already have some programming for young adults.
  • Be responsible for and/or oversee a budget for young adult programming.
  • Possess a working definition or understanding of vocation and discernment.
  • Possess self-awareness and an ability to slow down and be reflective.
  • Demonstrate capacity for learning and contributing to a learning community.
  • Be willing to present pastoral ministry to young adults as a possible path.
  • Be able to commit to an 18-month learning journey of practice and engagement, including participation in an opening and closing retreat, and online meetings.
  • Be willing to engage in ongoing connection with your cohort via FTE’s Mighty Networks online community.
  • Be able to provide your transportation to and from each in-person retreat (in the Atlanta area, March 2026 and September 2027).

The Collegiate Cohort is designed for leaders who work on college campuses in chaplaincy or campus ministry programs directly with young adults.

The Congregational Cohort is designed for leaders who work with already established young adult ministries. These leaders primarily include professional and lay ministers in traditional and non-traditional worshiping communities.

The Cohorts for Church-Related Organizations are designed for leaders who work with young adults in church-related organizations, such as denominations or judicatory bodies, faith-based service programs, Christian camps, congregations, and campus ministries. The applications will open for these additional cohorts on February 1.

During the opening retreat and over the course of the 18 months together, Discernment Lab leaders will dive into FTE’s DISCERN Together Framework, which explores six disciplines of discernment, the science behind their efficacy, and a step-by-step process for implementing discernment practices in a variety of contexts.

  • Be fully present for the in-person opening and closing retreats.
  • Participate in the virtual community of practice, which meets every other month between retreats.
  • Participate in the online community of Mighty Networks, including posting and responding to others.
  • Turn in grant reports on time.
  • Be in an ongoing relationship and communication with an accountability partner from your cohort.

2025 Discernment Lab Applications are due October 20, 2025.

FTE will cover all expenses (excluding travel) for both retreats.

Collegiate Cohort

  • October 20 – Applications Due
  • Mid-December – Notice of Acceptance
  • March 8–11, 2026 – Opening Retreat (Outside of Atlanta)
  • September 12–15, 2027 – Closing Retreat (Outside of Atlanta)


Congregational Cohort

  • October 20 – Applications Due
  • Mid-December – Notice of Acceptance
  • March 11–14, 2026 – Opening Retreat (Outside of Atlanta)
  • September 15–18, 2027 – Closing Retreat (Outside of Atlanta)

All retreats will be held at The Inn at Serenbe, just outside of Atlanta, GA. Accommodations in private rooms and all meals will be provided. Participants are responsible for their transportation.

Please contact Marissa Akery, or message us on our contact page.