The Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program is open to people of all denominational backgrounds, vocational situations, and geographic locations who:

• feel called or want to test a call to lead contemplative prayer groups or retreats;
• are willing to maintain a personal spiritual practice; and
• want to learn from the Christian contemplative tradition.

Ideally, applicants should have some leadership experience, but it is not required. However, it is important to have some experience at least as a member of a group that has focused on participants' relationship to God, however informally or in combination with other intents.

As part of a personal spiritual practice, we ask that applicants have a regular spiritual director/companion, a daily prayer discipline, and take two days of retreat during the Program year. In addition, we strongly encourage the keeping of a spiritual journal and the formation of a small group for personal spiritual support and prayer.

Before filling out the application, we suggest that you look at your situation in relation to the following ideal qualifications. Applicants who combine most of these will be given priority for admission. If you have any hesitation about applying after reading these, please call or write Kirstin Pickle, 301-897-7334, ext. 209, Kirstin@shalem.org

IDEAL CRITERIA: Individuals who

• Feel called, or want to test a call, as a leader for spiritual formation/exploration/ deepening groups or retreats focused especially on providing an environment for opening to God's presence.
• Have experienced a validation of this call by the fact that:
  • Others have responded positively (i.e., seem to have been helped to be present for God) through your leadership of such a group; and/or
  • Others have repeatedly asked you to lead such a group (preference will be given to applicants with some actual leadership experience, though this is not a requirement).
• Have (or are willing to have) a regular spiritual director (meeting at least monthly) and a daily discipline of attentiveness to God.
• Have participated in a Shalem event or have done some reading of Shalem authors or classic contemplative authors and feel some empathy with Shalem through these.
• Have participated in and/or led other relevant small groups, retreats, or similar events.
• Actively express commitment to spiritual reality through a particular religious tradition.
• Desire an experiential, contemplatively oriented program with an ecumenical mix of peers.

If you would like to apply for this program, contact Kirstin Pickle the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 x209 or download the application form (PDF) now.