Tending the Soul of Individuals and Congregations
Training in Spiritual Formation
for MCEC congregational lay leaders and pastors
Going deeper...
A common longing heard within our churches is to go deeper in our relationship with God and others. To help us learn to nurture a more intimate relationship with God and to tend our own and our congregation's longings for spiritual transformation, a group of pastoral and lay leaders within MCEC have come together to offer training in the art of soul tending: cultivating awareness of the presence and acitivity of God in our daily lives and in our congregations.
What's involved?
1. Six weekend retreats over two years which include workshops, small group practice, reflection time and experience with spiritual disciplines
2. Between retreats, formation and learning includes home-based reading, practical ministry within the congregation and a commitment to spiritual disciplines
3. Througout, participants receive guidance for personal growth and their role as spiritual leaders within the congregation
Who will be leading?
Instruction will be offered by Wendy Miller, Professor of Spiritual Formation at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and author of several books on spiritual direction and formation.
What topics will we study?
1. Introduction to spiritual formation
2. Stages of spiritual growth/plotting the journey of formation
3. Journey of spiritual formation in seasons of impasse and loss
4. Tending the soul of the church: worship and teaching
5. Tending the soul of the church: pastoral care and administration
6. Tending the soul of the church: missional hospitality
When are the retreats?
October 1 - 3 2010
January 7 - 9 2011
April 1 - 3 2011
September 30 - October 2 2011
January 27 - 29 2011
April 13 - 15 2012
Participants are required to actively take part in all six retreats, home and congregational work and personal spiritual formation
Cost
The cost of the program is $450 per retreat, for a total of $2700 (to be paid in six installments)
Tuition covers six learning retreats with Wendy Miller, food and lodging. Books and other incidental costs are not included. If costs are prohibitive, please speak with Barb Smith-Morrison to discuss financial assistance.
Who Can Apply
Both lay leaders and pastors from MCEC are welcome to apply. Participants should be open to explore and deepen their understandings of God and allow space for others to experience their own unique relationship with God as well.
To Apply
To apply, write a 2-3 page spiritual autobiography (see below). These questions are designed to help us discern with you your sense of preparedness for training in personal and congregational spiritual formation.
Spiritual Autobiography Application Questions
1. List your contact information name, address, phone number, email address
2. Respond to the following
a) Describe your earliest spiritual/religious experiences
b) Who or what are the persons, books, and experiences which have influenced your life and faith journey?
c) Describe how your relationship with God and walk of discipleship are nurtured and fed? What are your growing edges?
d) What experience or training do you have in the area of spiritual formation?
e) What draws you to spiritual formation training? How might you use this training in your current ministry?
Send your Spiritual Autobiography to
Barb Smith-Morrison
1151 Snyder's Flats Road
Bloomingdale, ON N0B 1K0
519.745.2411 / email
Applications are due by August 15 2010
Planning Group
Lisa Carr Pries
Ardith Frey
Miriam Frey (Mennonite Spiritual Directors of Eastern Canada)
Sandy Shantz
Sue Shantz
Barb Smith-Morrison
Jan Steckley
Jeff Steckley (MCEC)
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