CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The Emmaus Spiritual Formation Certificate is a 2-year, 6-course part-time educational program designed to provide opportunities for personal spiritual growth, a foundational understanding of Christian spiritual formation and an introduction to the ministry of spiritual direction. This program or its equivalent are prerequisites for the one-year spiritual direction certificate. Courses are fully online.

A Certificate of Spiritual Formation is awarded after successful completion of the 6 courses of the first two years. A Certificate of Spiritual Direction is awarded after successful completion of the four spiritual-direction specific courses (Introduction to Spiritual Direction and the 3 courses of the third year). Normally, students must complete the first two years before discerning a call to the third year.

Courses are offered online with work throughout the semester being done individually (such as reading and spiritual direction) and online (including forums and video classes). The Fall semester goes from September to November, the Winter semester from January to March, and the Spring session from April to June. Courses are sequential, allowing for the development of cohort relationships as part of the formational process.

Emmaus Certificate Program follows the guidelines for training program of Spiritual Directors International. It is not a degree-granting institution. Instructors have graduate level theological education, are trained spiritual directors, and have extensive ministry experience.

• A foundational understanding of the process and importance of spiritual formation—individually and corporately
• An understanding and purpose of the practice of key spiritual disciplines
• A foundational understanding of the historical place and practice of spiritual direction in the Christian church
• An understanding of the purpose and practice of spiritual direction and group spiritual direction
• An understanding of the importance of spiritual direction in the church community
• An introduction to the practice and supervision of spiritual direction

This course is now OPEN for registration.

Instructor: Michelle Bodle and David McDonald

Season: Fall

$915.00

COURSE: SEPTEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Introduces definitions, motifs, frameworks, means, and issues in Christian spiritual formation, including an introduction to spiritual direction. The topic and format creates opportunities for deepening and expanding your understanding and experience of personal spiritual formation and facilitating the spiritual growth of others. Learning activities include selected readings, online discussions, short writing assignments, individual spiritual direction, and classes, and group direction.

This course is now CLOSED

Instructor: Freda Ng

Season: Winter

$815.00

COURSE: JANUARY 1 – MARCH 31 2025

Reviews the theology of the role of Scripture in the Christian spiritual formation as well as leads the participants to understand and practice varied ways of engaging Scripture for transformation. Topics include academic versusdevotional approaches to Scripture, meditation on scripture, the practice of Lectio Divina, gospel imagination, the use of Psalms in formation, inductive Bible study. The topics and exercises are designed to create opportunities for the participants to expand their relationship with Scripture and to gain skills to facilitate formational interaction with scripture. This course utilizes selected readings, lecture, class discussion, guided experience, sharing, prayer and spiritual direction.

This course is now CLOSED

Instructor: Michelle Bodle and David McDonald

Season: Winter

$815.00

COURSE: JANUARY 1 – MARCH 30 2025

Spiritual formation, practices and direction take place within certain religious contexts and spiritual traditions. There are a number of different traditions in the Christian faith each with their own historical development and distinct understanding of spiritual growth, prayer, and spiritual direction. This course surveys a number of historical and contemporary expressions of Christian faith including why they developed, how they vary in their understanding of the initiation, goal, and process of spiritual growth. We will consider how we engage in formation and direction of self, others, and our community in light of these various models. The course will have a special emphasis on prayer and the contemplative tradition.

This course is now OPEN for registration.

Instructor: Pillar Gateman

Season: Fall

$915

COURSE: SEPTEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2024

COURSE OFFERED FULLY ONLINE

Introduces discernment from the context of relationality, exploring our relationship with God as the very place where true discernment unfolds and where all decisions are a natural outflow. The practice of discernment will be grounded in theology, understood within different traditions (e.g., Ignatian), applied to spiritual direction, and practiced by making space for the formation of our hearts through prayer, reflection and conversations.

This course is now CLOSED

Instructor: Mark Gauvreau

Season: Spring

$815

COURSE DATE: APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2025
COURSE OFFERED FULLY ONLINE

Explores various disciplines, means, or practices that have been employed in the Judeo-Christian tradition over the centuries for the purpose of cultivating an awareness of and responsiveness to the presence of God. The place and purpose of the disciplines within the life of the individual and community will be reviewed and assessed. Students will practice a discipline of their choice, observing and reflecting on their experience.

Instructor: TBA

Season: Spring

$815

COURSE DATE: APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2025
COURSE OFFERED FULLY ONLINE

Introduces and begins to train candidates in the art and practice of spiritual accompaniment. Participants will learn about the persons, processes and practice of guiding fellow pilgrims deeper in faith, hope, and love in Christ. Participants will learn critical skills for the practice, through practical teaching, experiential learning, and supervision of their practice.