Prerequisites – Application and Interview

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. Psalms 42:1

Spiritual Direction is a prayer process in which a person seeking help in cultivating a deeper personal relationship with God meets another for prayer and conversation that is focused on increasing awareness of God in the midst of life experiences and facilitating surrender to God’s will.

-from Sacred Companions by David Benner 

Because a healthy and vibrant practice of spiritual direction flows largely from the formation of the director, our Year One program revolves around the deepening relationship between the director and God. The practice of  spiritual disciplines and forms of prayer give the training director a growing self-awareness that consequently leads to a growing God-awareness. This connection of the God/Self relationship then leads to the ability to listen well to God, self, and others, which forms the core of the ancient art or ministry of Spiritual Direction. 

Year One participants will be introduced to the practice of Spiritual Direction through readings, cohort practice groups, and monthly meetings with a Spiritual Director. Participants will also meet monthly with two volunteer directees, whom we affectionately call “guinea pigs.” The Year One program is a carefully blended mix of personal spiritual formation, education, and training.