Becoming a Spiritual Director

You are invited to join a learning community preparing people to offer the ministry of Spiritual Direction

Who is it for?
Welcoming people from across the South West, this course is for those sensing a call to listening ministry and a desire to deepen their own spiritual journey.

Year 1 is for those who are testing a call to accompany others in the ministry of spiritual direction. It offers a foundational understanding of spiritual direction with a focus on listening skills and spiritual conversation. Participants’ own spiritual journey is deepened through an introduction to Christian spirituality and they are supported in an on-going discernment of their call to accompany others in faith.

Year 2 is for those who have discerned a call to the ministry of spiritual direction. Participants develop advanced listening skills and good practice in supervision, whilst further deepening their own spiritual journey and awareness of the major Christian Traditions.

Participants are supported in a final discernment process which may lead to an invitation to join the diocesan networks for spiritual directors in Truro and Exeter.

Programme Content:

YEAR 1 Foundations for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction I

• Enter a formational journey
• Encounter God in a range of Christian spiritualities
• Enlarge understanding of New Testament theological themes
• Explore the dynamics of listening & spiritual conversation
• Engage with tools and practices for prayer and discernment of vocation

YEAR 2 Foundations for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction II

• Encounter God through exploration of the major Christian Traditions
• Enlarge understanding of Old Testament theological themes
• Explore the essentials of Spiritual Direction
• Engage with advanced listening skills and supervision good practice

Delivery
The programme is offered as a formational learning community led by the Rev’d Janette Mullett and the Rev’d Rachel Bennetts with a team of experienced Spiritual Directors.

Each year runs from September to July and consists of:

• A residential weekend at Epiphany House, Truro
• Five in-person Saturdays – at Marjon University, Plymouth PL6 8BH
• Five week-night Zoom meetings 6.30-9.30PM

Participants learn through:

• input from the team
• group worship and contemplative prayer
• practical experience of spiritual conversation
• sharing in journey groups
• personal prayer and reflection
• guided reading
• reflective written work
• discernment conversations with a tutor

Cost
The fee for each year of the course is £1,100. This includes a fully catered 2-night weekend residential, five in-person teaching days at Marjon University, 5 evening Zoom meetings, course materials and tutor support throughout the course.

Next Steps
For more information and an informal conversation, please contact: Principal of SWMTC.