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The Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership is a dedicated community of Shalem extension program graduates committed to a contemplative orientation and its promise for individuals, groups, religious communities and society. These graduates serve as spiritual leaders, influencing, often profoundly, the climate of spiritual life in those with whom they live and work.
The Shalem Society is open to all who have completed the second residency of a Shalem extension program and is built around three major intentions:
- Living from the Spirit in all circumstances and growing by grace in personal communion with God;
- Sharing the fruits of this communion through outreach to spiritually hungry people and service to God’s shalom in the world;
- Cultivating contemplative spiritual formation and discernment in all aspects of ministry and daily life, grounded in God’s guiding presence.
To support these intentions, Shalem hosts an annual gathering for Society members, invites commitment to shared practices for deepening contemplative life and leadership, and encourages ongoing sharing of resources and spiritual insights in a variety of ways. Among these are the Shalem Circles, formed regionally, which provide support and encourage growth in the membership commitment and practices.
All Shalem extension program graduates who feel called to support one another’s spiritual life and leadership and to expand the influence and impact of a contemplative orientation in the world are invited to join the Society at any time during the year. However, the induction ceremony of new members only takes place at the annual gathering.
There is no membership fee to join the Shalem Society. As one of the shared practices, members are asked to make Shalem one of their charitable priorities and to support Shalem financially as they are able.
Through the Shalem Society, we seek to foster a more enduring and evolving contemplative way.
Contemplative Leadership