All the Spirtual Guidance Program components, both at-home and in the two residencies, are opportunities for personal deepening in the ministry of spiritual guidance.

At Home Activities:

• A formal relationship with at least two directees in your community.

  This ministry historically is confirmed as a gift and calling by other people coming spontaneously for continuing attention to their spiritual life. Prior to the Program, evidence is needed that others have sought out applicants for help in attending God in their lives, preferably on a regular basis. By the beginning of the Program and throughout, associates need to be offering formal guidance to at least two other people on a regular basis.

• Required and many optional recommended readings from an extensive bibliography, focusing on contemplative presence and carrying out a contemplatively grounded spiritual direction ministry.
• An at-home peer group with other self-selected spiritual directors, for mutual accountability and support, focused on providing spiritual direction for your spiritual direction ministry.

  These monthly two-hour groups are integral to the Program. Groups consist of three to five other persons who also offer spiritual guidance.  They need not be Program participants but must be willing to follow Shalem's format for the meetings. Peer group members rotate in presenting concrete situations of one-to-one spiritual guidance in which they are involved. The primary focus of reflection is the presenter's own evolving faith life in relation to work with a directee.  Shalem will provide guidelines and support for the formation and structuring of these groups.

• Reflective papers providing an opportunity to integrate your personal spiritual unfolding, the readings, the residencies and your own ministry of spiritual direction; and brief periodic reports to Shalem.
• A Shalem staff contact person who will accompany and guide you throughout the two-year program. Staff responses will be provided approximately quarterly, and additional responses can be arranged as needed.

Residential Retreats

Two 10 full day residencies offer immersion with peers and Shalem staff, and include:

• Topical seminars, practica in prayer and spiritual disciplines, individual interviews with staff, supervised peer groups, group processing, and reflection.

  Continuing topics over the entire program:Prayer and Christian Spirituality, Classics of Christian Spirituality, History of Christian Spirituality, Arts and Spirituality, Spirituality for Our Time

  Major seminar themes: Entering One-to-One Spiritual Direction, Theological Grounding, Scripture and Spiritual Direction, Discernment, Psychology and Spiritual Direction, Contemporary Social Contexts for Spiritual Direction (Family, Gender, Work, Social Vision, etc.)

  Other selected seminar themes: Liturgical Prayer and Community, Group Guidance, Non Christian Religious Contributions, Spiritual Journey in John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila

• Frequent sub-seminars on prayer will expose a broad range of prayer forms and issues, theoretically and, importantly, experientially.
• Morning and evening prayer led by associates will be held regularly, and one and a half of the ten days will be spent in a guided silent retreat.
• The fellowship of other contemplatively-oriented spiritual directors.

  An informal atmosphere of mutual learning is cultivated, built upon the experience brought by program participants from their own spiritual direction ministries.

• An opportunity for rest, renewal and guided silent retreat time at each residency.

Ongoing Personal Spiritual Practice

In addition, we expect from each participant:

• Commitment to a spiritual practice that nurtures and expands your capacity for openness to God.

  In addition to a daily practice of prayer/meditation/presence for God, there will be at least occasional spiritual journal keeping. Journal guidelines will be provided.

• Spiritual guidance with a director of your choosing.

Arrangements must be made prior to applying to program.

• Personally scheduled silent retreat time at regular intervals throughout the program.

  At least three self-scheduled, solitary retreat days are required while participating in the program.

Integrative Phase and Beyond

• Completion of a six to twelve-page paper which will be due near the end of the Program.
• Associates are expected to continue in a peer group after completion of the Program, as long as they are offering spiritual guidance.
• Post completion, ongoing support through contact with Shalem newsletters, regional gatherings, and various graduate offerings.

If you would like to apply for this program or need additional information, contact Katy Gaughan the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 x202 or download the application form (PDF) now.