Worship, Law, and the Power of Unexpected Community

Reflections from the CLS Northeast Regional Retreat

(April 4–6, 2025)

There’s something really special about standing in a room of attorneys, law students, spouses, and children—diverse in every way imaginable—and hearing them sing “How Great Thou Art” like they mean it.

Last weekend, I had the honor of leading worship at the Christian Legal Society Northeast Regional Retreat in Southbury, Connecticut. Alongside my wife and another attendee, I led four worship sessions over the course of the retreat. It was a return to something deeply familiar for me—worship leading—but in a context that reflected the season I’m now in as a 1L law student.

Preparation for the weekend looked like what you’d expect: coordinating song lists, communicating with co-leaders, finalizing chord charts and lyrics. But the deeper preparation was spiritual and intentional. I wanted to choose songs that were familiar, theologically rich, and emotionally stirring—songs that could help a room full of professionals connect with something far greater than themselves.

And it happened.

There was one moment in particular, during “Goodness of God”, that I’ll remember for a long time. Hearing the voices and watching the responses as we sang, “Your goodness is running after—it’s running after me!” Then when we transitioned into the chorus of “How Great Thou Art” and it only got better. Gratitude and awe filled the room. It was electric—not because of a performance, but because people were genuinely moved by the goodness and greatness of God.

But worship was only part of the story.

The retreat also became a space for meaningful connection. I met lawyers from solo practices, BigLaw firms, the public sector, and everywhere in between. I had conversations that were professionally strategic, yes—but also personally encouraging. I received career advice from attorneys with decades of experience, an offer from a former hiring partner to help refine my application materials, and generous follow-up invitations to continue building relationships.

What surprised me most was how seamlessly faith and excellence coexisted in that space. These were high-caliber professionals who cared deeply about the Church. As someone who spent nearly a decade in pastoral ministry, that meant a lot to me. It reminded me that I don’t have to choose between my past and my future. I can carry both.

So here’s what I walked away with:

• You never know where fruitful networking will happen.

• Faith-based spaces can be professionally powerful and personally refreshing.

• Some of the best relationships you’ll build in this profession won’t just sharpen your résumé—they’ll sharpen you.

I’m grateful to Joe Ruta for the invitation, and to Lane Paulson for connecting the dots that brought me there. Both are attorneys who model what it looks like to lead with conviction, humility, and skill.

If you’re even a little bit curious about Christian Legal Society, get involved. You might find, like I did, that it’s more than an event—it’s a space where your calling, your faith, and your profession can align in powerful ways.

Oh—and thanks to my son, Joshua, for taking photos for me!