At-Home Work
A survey of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance: Nurturing the Call graduates indicates that most spend an average of 35 hours per month completing all requirements, excluding residencies. These hours include individual retreat time, giving direction to two persons, receiving direction, reading, peer group meetings, and all other program requirements. (Amount of time spent ranges from 2-1/2 days to 5-1/2 days per month.)
Papers: Four personal, integrative Theme Papers of 4-6 double-spaced pages each are required, each focused on a major theme drawn from the reading and seminar sequences (e.g., Entering One-to-One Spiritual Direction, Discernment, Psychology and Spiritual Direction, Social Contexts). A final integrative or research paper of 6-12 double-spaced pages is required near the end of the Program. Specific guidelines for these papers are given.
One-page reports of associates' direction, readings, and personal discipline situations are requested periodically. Associates also need to complete all written program evaluations.
Reflection and Feedback: Associates will be expected to participate in prayerful reflection and feedback concerning their own and others' gifts and growing edges as spiritual companions. Individual meetings with staff and mutual peer reflection will assist this process. It is hoped that this overall experience will enrich associates' ongoing discernment of their gifts and calling to the ministry of spiritual guidance. Associates will also provide periodic feedback to the staff about their sense of the process and content of the program itself. Staff will provide responses to theme papers and major papers, but there are no examinations or grades given. If an associate requires periodic evaluation for academic credit, a pass/fail report will be given as needed to the accrediting institution based upon fulfillment of Program requirements.
Staff Contact: Each associate is assigned a staff contact person for the course of the Program. This staff person will regularly respond to reports. Staff persons responsible for the particular topical areas covered by the theme papers respond to them. In addition, associates meet privately with their staff persons during each residency. These times are opportunities for mutual feedback and for associates to deal with special concerns and interests, ranging from Program issues to relationships with their spiritual directors. Other staff consultation can be arranged as needed.
Personal Discipline: Associates are asked to maintain a daily discipline of prayer and at least occasional journal keeping. The form of this discipline is in the hands of associates, in consultation with their spiritual directors. Some guidelines for journaling around components of the program are provided.
Retreats: Associates are required to spend at least three self-scheduled, solitary retreat days while participating in the Program. The place, time, and format of these days are up to associates, in consultation with their spiritual directors. These days symbolize the importance of the spiritual guide's own unambiguous solitude as part of his/her ongoing formation. In addition, there is a 36-hour guided, silent Sabbath time during each of the residencies.
Readings: Readings follow the sequence indicated below with seminar information. Applicants will need to establish library resources in their local areas so that bibliography readings can be obtained during the course of the Program. Theological schools, convents, monasteries, and houses of religious studies are good resources. A brief representative bibliography is included to assist with this. Copies of required journal articles and selections from out-of-print books will be sent to participants by the Shalem office.
If you would like to apply for this program or need additional information, contact Christine Jeffrey This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 x209 or download the application form (PDF) now.