CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The Emmaus Spiritual Formation Certificate is a fully online 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. For students who successfully complete this program and discern a call towards additional spiritual direction training, this program may transfer into our spiritual direction certificate, with permission.

A Certificate of Spiritual Formation is awarded after successful completion of the 6 courses offered part-time over two years. Courses are fully online with work throughout the semester being done individually (such as reading and spiritual direction) and online (including forums and live 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

Applications for the September 2026 cohort are current being accepted for the School of Spiritual Formation. We will be hosting two Preview Events in the Spring and Summer where you can join us for a live info session to learn more about our Certificates in Spiritual Formation, and Spiritual Direction. Email info@emmausformation.ca to find out more!

Coursework includes:

• Soul-Shaping Experiences
• Soul-Shaping Words
• Soul Shaping Practices
• Soul-Shaping Discernment
• Soul-Shaping Traditions
• Introduction to Spiritual Direction

For more information, to attend a Preview event, or to apply, please email us at info@emmausformation.ca.

This course is now CLOSED for registration.

Instructor: Lisa Brewitt

Season: Winter

$915.00

COURSE: JANUARY 1 – MARCH 31, 2026

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 versus devotional 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 for registration.

Instructor: Michelle Bodle and Allyce Logue

Season: Winter

$915.00

COURSE: JANUARY 1 – MARCH 30, 2026

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.