Becoming ~ Academic Skills Building
  • Sessions are the first Saturday of each month, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. (See specific dates below. Exception for September due to Labor Day.)
  • The transition from “Exploring” to “Becoming” includes a time of discernment. It is expected that students will spend personal and group time to determine if they feel led to continue in this work.
  • Students entering “Becoming” will complete an application and personal interview process to determine their readiness to begin the academic portion of the program, year two.
  • It is expected that applicants will have attended “Exploring” in order to gain insight into themselves and the Direction process.  Exceptions may be made for students showing similar background through spiritual formation in seminary or chaplaincy training, or other recognized institutional program.
  • While “Exploring” focused on the students’ own experience of spiritual formation, “Becoming” focuses on understanding and preparing for the work of becoming a Spiritual Director.
  • All students in “Becoming” will continue their relationship with their own Spiritual Director.
  • Sessions will include all students, frequently breaking into smaller groups or dyads to process and practice.
  • Students will be asked to read/view assigned material in between sessions.
  • Each student will complete a monthly reflection paper, tracking their response to their internal processing and learning.
Dates and Topics for Becoming (2017 Cohort)
2018
September 15 (Changed from the first Saturday to avoid Labor Day)
  • Introduction to Becoming
  • Review curriculum for the year, policies & procedures, expectations,
  • Create agreements & sacred space,
  • Define individual goals & commitments
  • Your Theological Stance
  • Self Care
 October 6 ~ Guest Teacher TBA
  • Process and Logistics of Spiritual Direction
  • Ethics & Boundaries
  • Psychotherapy, Pastoral Counseling & Spiritual Direction
November 3 ~ Guest Teacher TBA
Mental/Spiritual Health issues
  • Crisis
  • Trauma
  • Grief and Loss
December 1 ~ Guest Teacher, Rev Stuart Higgenbotham
  • Deep Listening
  • Creating sacred space​

​2019
January 5 ~ Guest Teachers, Spiritual Directors Marian Monahan & Pam Muller
Discernment
• Prayer / Contemplation / Meditation
• Creative Expression & Dreamwork
February 2 ~ Guest Teacher TBA
• Cultural Competency
• Institutional racism, homophobia, & violence; Implicit bias
• Faith Diversity
March 2 ~ Guest Teacher TBA
Integral Theory
April 6 ~ Guest Teacher, Dr Jerome Lubbe
  • Development 
  • Life Transitions
  • Personality
May 4 
  • Review of “Becoming” & Preparation for “Engaging”
  • Ritual and closure