Advanced Spiritual Guidance Seminar

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The purpose of the advanced seminar is to foster competence and maturity in the practice of spiritual direction through a process of action and guided reflection. It is open to spiritual directors that have received training in spiritual direction and who have at least two years of experience offering direction (one of those years can be the internship year during which training was received). ASGS is limited to 10 participants.

Goals

1. To foster competence and maturity in the practice of spiritual direction
2. To grow in the ability to lead a directee toward in-depth spiritual reflection
3. To gain expertise as a participant in peer supervision
4. To develop additional skills for effective spiritual direction, such as the following (choices of topics will be made by participants at the first session)
• Use of tools such as MBTI, Enneagram, and the Ignatian Exercises
• Observing and managing particular psychological dynamics
• Facilitating the directee’s experience of contemplation and prayer
• In-depth exploration of the relationship between human development and spiritual formation (with special attention given to midlife and aging)
• Understanding the mystical journey, including the Dark Night of the Soul
• Learning the art of group spiritual direction
• Growing in awareness of the dynamics of long-term spiritual direction
• Providing direction for specific groups (such as members of one’s own congregation; young adults; the elderly; handicapped; abused persons, etc.)
• Use of dreams as a tool in spiritual direction
• Guiding sensory and aesthetic experiences of God; embodied spirituality
5. Guiding sensory and aesthetic experiences of God; embodied spirituality
6. To deepen the capacity for in-depth self-reflection on one’s own practice of direction
7. To become more aware of one's own vulnerabilities and strengths

Expectations

1. Regular attendance at all scheduled sessions
2. Participation in class discussions
3. Participation in peer supervision
4. Preparing assigned readings
5. Presenting at least 3 cases during the year
6. Making one topical presentation during the year (topic to be assigned)
7. Receiving regular spiritual direction
8. Offering ongoing spiritual direction to at least two people during the year
9. Assigned reading and study of tools to be used in spiritual direction
10. If directors desire additional individual supervision, arrangements can be made with the professor.

Facilitator

Marlene Kropf, D.Min., Associate Professor in Spiritual Formation and Worship

Dates

All sessions will be held on Mondays at AMBS.

Links

• Apply online
• Seminar fees and payment policies
• Textbooks and other resources