The ZOE Spiritual Direction program provides training for those called to the ministry of spiritual guidance. The heart of this program is learning to listen to God on behalf of another fellow pilgrim. This is not a program in pastoral counseling or therapy, but rather reaches back to the rich Christian tradition of contemplative and prayerful discernment of Gods work in our lives. Thus the primary skill to be learned in the program is attending to God in all things.

From Jackie Halstead - Regarding Spiritual Direction Program

Spiritual directors are present in most churches—Churches of Christ as well as other denominations. Christians who are mature in the faith walk alongside others and help them in their spiritual journeys. These spiritual friends are often sought out and asked for spiritual advice or mentoring. The practice of spiritual direction has taken place throughout the ages in both this informal manner as well as in a formal sense. The name, director, can be a bit off-putting as it suggests someone who lords it over another. Yet that is not the traditional intent of the role. The focus of the spiritual director is to attend to God on the behalf of the directee. God is the true director and it is helpful to be with individuals who have the ability to remind us to pay attention to how God is working and revealing himself to us. For those who exhibit this gift, the Zoe Spiritual Direction program helps them be intentional about its use. The program offers the spiritual directors in-depth focus on their own spiritual journey in addition to practical training on how to walk alongside others.

From Randy Harris - Regarding Spiritual Direction Program

The Spiritual Direction Program is not a pastoral counseling program. It is primarily about learning to attend to God at all times, in all places and every circumstance – to take a contemplative stance towards life. And as the chaos in our own life recedes, we are able to attend to God not only for ourselves but for others as well. “You cannot be anyone in the direction relationship you aren’t otherwise.” This training not only empowers one to help others in their walk with God, it radically changes how we do our own lives. Who doesn’t work to be less compulsive, less manipulative, less controlling and freer for God and others? Do you hear God calling you to this type of walk? If so, please consider joining us.

• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program - Home Page
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Description
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Components
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Fees
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Application
• PDF Brochure

At Home Activities:

• Regular spiritual direction provided by you to at least two directees in your community.
• Readings from an extensive bibliography, focusing on contemplative presence and carrying out a contemplatively grounded spiritual direction ministry.
• Supervision from a spiritual director mentor from the ZOE staff. You will send tapes of your spiritual direction sessions to your mentor for accountability, support, and suggestions on improving as a spiritual director.
• 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 ZOE.
• ZOE staff mentor who will guide you throughout the program.

Residential Retreats

Two 5 day residencies offer interaction with others in the program and ZOE staff, and include:

• Instruction and practice in spiritual disciplines, individual interviews with staff, and peer group experiences.
• Areas of instruction include Scripture and spiritual discernment, the distinction between spiritual direction and pastoral counseling, theological basis of spiritual guidance, contemplative prayer, psychology and spiritual direction, settings for spiritual direction (church, family, work), group spiritual direction, and inviting others into one-to-one spiritual direction.
• Guided silent retreat time at each residency.

Ongoing Personal Spiritual Practice

• Commitment to a rule of life that incorporates various spiritual practices and expands your openness to God.
• Personally scheduled silent retreat time at regular intervals throughout the program.

Integrative Phase and Beyond

• Completion of a six to twelve-page paper which will be due near the end of the Program.

What: An 18-month program of study intended to encourage, train, and give experience in one-to-one spiritual direction. The program will offer directed readings, contact with a spiritual mentor, two one-week residential retreat with other participants and staff, integrative response papers, and supervised internship in spiritual direction.

Who: Those who hear a call to spiritual direction, guidance, and friendship, that is, leading others in awareness of God and discernment of his activity in another’s life. Participants in this program should have experience in regular spiritual practices and should already be respected by others for their Christian maturity and companionship. Ideally, they should have a spiritual director of companion themselves.

When: Registration begins June 1, 2009 and ends May 15, 2010. Begin May 2010 with reading assignments and phone contacts with mentors. A five day retreat July 19-23, 2010 Nashville, TN (The second retreat July 18-22, 2011). At least 24 monthly sessions as a Spiritual Director with at least two directees between August 2010 and July 2011. Final reflections on the program September 2011. The 2010-2011 program is limited to 16 participants.

Leaders in the program include:

Randy Harris teaches at Abilene Christian University. He has participated in a 40 day contemplative prayer retreat in the Camelite tradition and a 15 day experience of The Ignatian Exercises. He holds a certificate from the 2 year program in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute.

Jackie Halstead is Chair, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University. She is a member of the Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey, and has a certificate in Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats from Shalem Institute.

Application fee: (non-refundable)$45

Total Amount Due for Program: $3,995
(Includes administration costs, materials, mentor, tuition, housing and food for residencies. Does not include books or transportation to residencies. Fees are subject to change.)

Payment options are listed on the application form. If you have any questions regarding payment please do not hesitate to contact Eric Noah-Wilson at 615.292.2940.

Amount due upon submission ($1955 refundable if you are not accepted into the program)	$2000
Remaining tuition:	$600
Room and Board, 8 overnights: (For both residencies; subject to change depending on increase by residency facility)	$1395
Total:	$3,995

Program participants who choose not to complete the program are responsible for paying any remaining tuition and the cost of any residencies attended.

Please select the links to the left or the bottom for additional information on this exciting program.

• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program - Home Page
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Description
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Components
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Fees
• ZOE Spiritual Direction Program Application
• PDF Brochure

• dedication to regular spiritual practices.
• email discussions with other participants regarding the readings
• regular contact with a mentor.
• on-going prayer for fellow participants.
• monthly meetings with a local spiritual community for prayer.
• two solitary retreat days during the program;
• participation in two residency times. (see program time line for exact dates)


• Spiritual Deepening Home
  
• What is the Growing Deeper Spirituality Program?
• What the Program Offers You
• What the Program Expects of You
• Program Components
• Program Timeline
• Program Fees
• APPLICATION
  
• (PDF Brochure)

 

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