 Formative Spirituality integrates the contemplative formation of the varied dimensions of the mind, body and spirit in order to form healthy individuals and communities. It is inter-disciplinary, ecumenical and focuses on classical spiritual disciplines and rigors of the heart.
Formative Spirituality Program Co-Directors:
Marcella Kraybill-Greggo,
MSW, LSW
MAPC Clinical Director
Spiritual Director
Teaching Associate
Barbara Martell, MSEd, MA, MS
Spiritual Director Supervisor
Spiritual Director
Teaching Associate |
The 21 credit Formative Spirituality certificate at MTS enables students to deepen their own spirituality and that of others. It grounds students in the contemplative tradition while offering hands-on opportunities for practical application within parish ministry settings, agencies and for individual practice.
The Formative Spirituality certificate program helps students develop a holistic and incarnational spirituality through the integration of both academic rigor and experiential learning. It equips students to form and facilitate formative spirituality groups in their church, agencies or other communities.
The program is grounded in the participants' personal experiences of God, which are fostered through a variety of teaching modalities as well as through individual and group spiritual direction. It is a multi-disciplinary program that explores the unique intersections between a spirituality of mind/body/spirit and the societal/cultural needs of the individuals and community.
| REQUIRED COURSES |
19 CREDITS |
| |
Contemplative Communication and Relationship (SEPF744) |
2 |
| |
Individual Spiritual Direction (SEPF727) |
1 |
| |
Spiritual Formation (SEPF723) |
3 |
| |
Prayer (SEPF741) |
2 |
| |
Group Spiritual Direction I (SEPF724) |
2 |
| |
Group Spiritual Direction II (SEPF725) |
1 |
| |
Discernment (SEPF742) |
1 |
| |
Retreat (SEPF729) |
1 |
| |
The Ignatian Exercises: Theology and Practice (SEPF748) |
2 |
| |
Formative Spirituality for the Parish and Community (SEPF728) |
2 |
| |
Spirituality within Diversity (SEPF745) |
2 |
| CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: |
2 CREDITS |
| |
Incarnational Spirituality: Spirituality of the Arts, Music,
Earth and the Body (SEPF743) |
2 |
| |
Spiritual Classics for the Contemplative in Action (SEPF746) |
2 |
| |
Total |
21 |
| Recommended Course Sequence for the Formative Spirituality Graduate Certificate |
| YEAR 1 |
|
| |
FALL |
|
| |
Spiritual Formation |
3 |
| |
Individual Spiritual Direction |
1 |
| |
Contemplative Communication and Relationship |
2 |
| |
|
|
| |
JAN/SUMMER |
|
| |
Incarnational Spirituality: Spirituality of the Arts, Music, Earth and the Body |
2 |
| |
|
|
| |
SPRING |
|
| |
Group Spiritual Direction I |
2 |
| |
Discernment |
1 |
| |
Spiritual Classics for the Contemplative in Action |
2 |
| |
|
|
| |
SUMMER |
|
| |
Spirituality within Diversity |
2 |
| |
|
| YEAR 2 |
|
| |
FALL |
|
| |
Group Spiritual Direction II |
1 |
| |
Prayer |
2 |
| |
Retreat |
1 |
| |
|
|
| |
SPRING |
|
| |
Formative Spirituality for the Parish and Community |
2 |
| |
The Ignatian Exercises: Theology and Practice |
2 |
| |
|
|
| |
Total |
21 |
The Seminary requires that all individuals interested in the Formative Spirituality program receive individual spiritual direction on at least a monthly basis while they are in the program. Successful completion of SEPF727 Individual Spiritual Direction will be accepted as partial fulfillment of this requirement. Students are responsible for securing a spiritual director and will be provided with a resource list of local spiritual directors to assist their search. The fee for spiritual direction is contracted privately between the student and their spiritual director and is the responsibility of the student. Individual spiritual direction supports the on-going spiritual and psychological growth that is needed to be a facilitator of spiritual practices for others. It also helps students deal personally with issues raised in the process of training as they integrate them in light of God’s love.
All students directly engaged in ministry as part of their Seminary program with responsibility for individuals within a congregation or community agency, are required to file the appropriate background checks with the Registrar. These documents must be current within 1 year and on file before a student may begin classes and participate in a Formative Spirituality Practicum, which includes the following courses:
SEPF728 Formative Spirituality for the Parish and Community
SEPF745 Spirituality within Diversity
The art of discernment is core to the spiritual journey and therefore core to the Formative Spirituality program. So too, a candidate’s journey through the program involves ongoing discernment of a call to the ministry of spiritual formation, both by the candidate and by the Formative Spirituality program team. If, after continued dialogue, it is discerned that the participant is not called to/not qualified for this ministry, the student may be terminated from the program.
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