Summer Institute 2013
June 17-28, 2013

Cost: For seminary credit- $460 per credit hour
Participation audit- $230 a credit hour.

Morning classes

Choose one, based on your year in the Summer Institute

Year 1: Spiritual Guidance in Life & Practice
1 Credit Hour
Instructor: Kevin Clark

Grounded in the understanding that God in Jesus Christ is inviting us to be reconciled- to God, to ourselves, to each other, and to God’s creation- this course is designed to offer learning in three areas: a biblical foundation and historical overview of spiritual formation; an understanding of spiritual discernment; and learning the practice of spiritual guidance. View syllabus

Years 2 & 3: Spiritual Directors Peer Group
1 Credit Hour
Instructor: Wendy Miller

This class offers guidance for depth listening, reflection, spiritual discernment, and discovery in our journey as emerging spiritual directors. We will be engaging in spiritual direction conversations, and in-depth listening to verbatim. View Syllabus

Afternoon Classes

Choose one based on your interest

Spiritual Direction: Seasons of Impasse
2 Credit Hours
Instructor: Kevin Clark

In this course we will pay attention to the formational journey and stages of spiritual development, with an intentional focus on the experience of the “dark night” or “seasons of impasse”. The questions we will explore are: How do we companion others as they encounter and embrace the profound and transformative work of God in impasse experiences? What are the implications for the ministry of spiritual guidance during such periods of life —for the individual and the congregation? Lectures, guided readings, reflections on life experiences, and issues arising out of the practice of spiritual guidance provide the setting for mutual learning. View syllabus.

Worship: Spiritually Formative Worship
2 Credit Hours
Instructor: Wendy Miller

We will give primary attention to discerning how the narratives of our church, our lives, and our changing word intersect with the biblical story, and how our practice of worship attends to God-encounter within that re-creating intersection. View syllabus

Other Options

Home-based Practicum
This is an individually designed project that students complete once the institute is over each year. Students will receive individual guidance from faculty based on their project. Students complete one home-based practicum each year of the institute.

Oasis for pastors and spiritual directors
Eastern Mennonite Seminary offers a special program for pastors on summer sabbatical and spiritual directors wanting additional continuing education. The Oasis program, connected with the Summer Institute for Spiritual Formation provides opportunities for intentional guided reflection and prayer time, or the option of sitting in on classes with no record. It also provides continued training options for spiritual directors. In place of coursework, Oasis offers intentional Sabbath and space. Cost is equivalent to one semester hour of study with no seminary credit available. Learn more about Oasis