Some congregations go to a nearby retreat or conference center. Other congregations meet at another church facility for the event. Arrangements should be made well in advance of the event to make good attendance possible. Good snacks and meals can enhance the experience of the retreat. You will also need to consider providing childcare or subsidizing private childcare.
Many congregations schedule an annual retreat at the time that new leaders are selected.
These retreats might include new and continuing board members and committee chairs. Some congregations include just the board and staff and others include committee chairs as well. In smaller congregations, the entire congregation might be invited to a combination of activities focused on planning for the congregation as well as community building. In congregations that have never had a retreat, some members usually resist the idea. It might be best to start with a one-day retreat, evaluate the experience, and assess whether your group would want to spend more time in retreat in the future.