PROGRAM DETAILS:

Becoming A Spiritual Director

YEAR THREE (BY INVITATION):

Developing and practicing the skills of Informal and Formal Spiritual Direction

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

YEAR THREE:

Retreat One

Objectives:

  • What is Spiritual Direction; What is its place in and through the Christian's life?

  • The presence and practice of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life journey.

  • The practice of Spiritual Direction seen through the eyes of Spiritual Direction writers.

  • The development of trust in informal and formal Spiritual Direction.

  • Experiencing God's presence in informal and formal Spiritual Direction.

YEAR THREE:

Retreat Two

Objectives:

  • Spiritual Disciplines that assist and support informal and formal Spiritual Direction.

  • Distinguishing informal and formal Spiritual Direction in content and practice.

  • Listening for God through the Holy Spirit.

YEAR THREE:

Retreat Three

Objectives:

  • Listening to God and responding to myself.

  • Listening to God and responding to others in Group Direction.

  • Practicing group and individual Spiritual Direction.

YEAR THREE:

Retreat Four

Objectives:

  • Learning to trust God with my life.

  • Deepening my knowing experiences with God through Spiritual Practices.

  • Developing skills and practice of Spiritual Direction.

Becoming A Spiritual Director

All students wanting to be vested as a Spiritual Director will attend a 4th Year practicum once a month at Renewing Life Center.

Readings (Assigned Quarterly)

• Life Without Lack by Dallas Willard

• Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard

• Spiritual Direction: A Practical Introduction by Sue Pickering (Chapters assigned at retreat)

• Seeking God by Trevor Hudson

• Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction by Margaret Guenther (Chapters assigned at retreat)

• Holy Invitations by Jeannette Bakke (Chapters assigned at retreat)

• The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner (Chapters assigned at retreat)

• Discovering our Spiritual Identity by Trevor Hudson (Chapters assigned at retreat)

• Seeking God Together by Alice Fryling

• The Practice of Spiritual Direction by William Barry

• Continue reading Spiritual Direction by Sue Pickering

• Continue reading Holy Listening by Margaret Guenther

Requirements for Year 3 Participation:

  • Monthly meeting with a Spiritual Director of your choice.

  • Monthly supervision with class at Renewing Life Center.

Come join us on the mountain!

  • “SFI was a space to explore God’s love for me, not just through learning, but through experiences with solitude, prayer, community and worship. I now walk through life with more peace about who I am, who God is, and how we interact together in everyday life.”

    ~ Year three

  • “I am beginning to truly understand how to trust God completely. This is transforming my relationship with Him in every area of my life. I am experiencing 24/7 intimacy with Him and coming to know Him in so much of His richness. I am opening my heart to Him to love me without bounds.”

    ~ Year three

  • “My time at the Mountain with SFI was a very powerful time. I was able to learn from incredible teachers that were uniquely gifted to impact knowledge and guide me closer to God. I was able to connect, on a level so rare, with new friends on the same spiritual journey.”

    ~ Year three

  • “The Spiritual Formation Institute profoundly influenced my life, fostering deep spiritual growth. It provided a supportive community and valuable tools that continue to guide me.”

    ~ Year three