A free informational webinar on April 28 is open to anyone interested in training to enhance skills for providing spiritual direction.
Updated May 2, 2022: Registration is now open for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction (MSD) Program! Click here to register, or click here to receive a free recording of the informational webinar.
Dayton, OH, April 25, 2022 — The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary of Dayton, OH, and the Center for Spiritual Formation, Inc., of Carlisle, PA, have partnered to offer an online training course for those called to the ministry of spiritual direction.
The Center for Spiritual Formation, a connectional ministry of the Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist Church, has been equipping clergy and laity for the ministry of listening and spiritual guidance for 28 years through its Ministry of Spiritual Direction Program. The partnership with United’s Innovation Center will offer the two-year program fully online.
“The world is in great need of spiritual directors and spiritual companions to journey with others seeking God’s quiet still voice at the deepest levels. This new partnership between The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center and the Center for Spiritual Formation, Inc. extends the opportunity for pastoral and lay leaders to enter into a prayerful community long committed to the teaching, study, and practice of soul care,” said Rhonda Strouse, Director of the Center for Spiritual Formation. “We are excited to offer the Ministry of Spiritual Direction program, not just as a training program, but as a spiritual growth experience committed to listening to God’s voice and discerning wisdom for life-changing transformation.”
Spiritual direction is a growing area of ministry through which participants offer support and guidance to other Christians as they listen for the direction of the Holy Spirit in their lives and grow in their personal relationship with God. The Ministry of Spiritual Direction Program is useful for those called to become trained spiritual directors, as well as for individuals who would like to learn how to listen and journey alongside others more effectively in their discernment of God’s voice. Participants will receive a certificate of completion after acquiring the tools and practices essential to this ministry of connection and compassion. The online program will begin in September 2022, with registration opening on May 1.
“This is the fulfillment of a longtime dream: that training to equip both clergy and laity in spiritual direction would be offered through United,” said Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, Director of the Innovation Center. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the Innovation Center to platform this excellent program.”
On Thursday, April 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern, the Innovation Center, in partnership with The Center for Spiritual Formation, is offering a free informational online webinar about the new online training course. To attend for free, please register online HERE.
About the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center
The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center is a new startup at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, that brings together leading voices on the frontiers of ministry to equip and energize the local Church for a new season of vitality. The Center provides collaborative innovation opportunities and hands-on resourcing to fuel congregations, leaders and pastors for new vitality and missional impact—all undergirded with an ongoing Breakthrough Prayer Initiative. Learn more at www.united.edu/innovation-center.
About the Center for Spiritual Formation, Inc.
Staying true to its mission since 1994, the Center for Spiritual Formation has strived to provide opportunities to experience the still quiet voice of God. The Orchard Hill Retreat Center continues to be a place of rest and sanctuary for pastoral leaders and laypersons throughout the Susquehanna Valley. The Center is excited to share that those same mountaintop experiences are now available to people around the world as we offer retreats, webinars and our signature Ministry of Spiritual Direction program online. We invite you to learn more at www.centerformation.org.