CHICAGO, IL (August 20, 2007) \u2013 Pastors and laity will have more access to spiritual direction now that the first class of the Center for Spiritual Direction (CSD) has graduated.<\/p>\n
The center is operated through North Park Theological Seminary and is funded as part of a $1.6 million Lilly Grant for the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program (SPE).<\/p>\n
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Seventeen students graduated from the three-year program August 5. Prior to graduation, students met for an intensive one-week class each year, which was supplemented with online course work and the development of their own spiritual practices. Each was required to see a spiritual director, as well.<\/p>\n
Contact information for the new directors will be available on the SPE website within the next several weeks, says project director Dan Pietrzyk.<\/p>\n
The title of spiritual director is something of a misnomer because directors don\u2019t tell people what to do. Rather direction is a process by which directors help directees discern and respond to the movement of God in their lives. Directors may introduce directees to disciplines that include the ancient practices of lectio divina (slow reading) and biblical meditation.<\/p>\n
Ellen Kogstad, a spiritual director and NPTS adjunct faculty member, says \u201cI was humbled\u201d as she watched the students graduate in the school\u2019s Isaacson Chapel. She had helped put together the Lilly proposal and developed the center\u2019s program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know where some of the people were only two years ago. Some of them were dry and had a lot of pain in their lives and ministry,\u201d Kogstad says. She has seen a lot of healing and growth as the students progressed through the program. Participants in the program benefit as \u201cThey become better listeners, better pastors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Janice Kelly, a Covenant missionary to Mexico and one of the graduates, says the three years have had a profound impact on her life. \u201cI know that God is far greater than even my most expansive thoughts or imaginings of Him, but I have seen him revealed to me and my directees in scripture, through the life and ministry of Jesus, and in the guiding of the Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds, \u201cI have learned that participating in spiritual direction ministry gives me energy and life in a way I don’t ever remember experiencing. I have learned that the ‘at-oneness’ with God, others and myself that occurs while giving direction carries over into all of life. There is a new depth, breadth and richness to my prayer life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students are required upon graduation to make their services available to other Covenant pastors and laity. Kelly and four other women \u2013 including three of Kelly\u2019s classmates — volunteered their services at Triennial XII, held last week in Chicago.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll five of those who gave direction commented on what a privilege it was to see how in just one session with a person, the Holy Spirit led the conversation to the heart of the matter,\u201d Kelly says. \u201cWhile each woman came to the conversation with something specific to talk about, a common desire expressed was that of\u00a0 being faithful in their relationship to Christ, and their deep appreciation for having someone to talk to who is committed to intentional listening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although many Evangelicals still are unfamiliar with the historical practice. \u201cPeople are coming and opening themselves up to God in ways they never have before,\u201d Kogstad says. \u201cAll of the (16) slots at the Triennial were filled before it even started, so something must be happening,\u201d she adds,<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something that is pro-active,\u201d Kogstad adds. She believes that participating in direction could help reduce the number of pastors who eventually come before the Board of Ordered Ministry for discipline. \u201cThis can be life-giving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although other training programs exist in the elsewhere in the country, Pietrzyk says the North Park program is unique in several respects. \u201cIt is distinctly Evangelical,\u201d he explains, noting that many programs draw heavily from other faith traditions.<\/p>\n
The CSD also models \u201cCovenant distinctives,\u2019\u201d Pietrzyk says. \u201cIt lives into our ethos. It\u2019s highly connectional, biblical, devotional and missional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pietrzyk adds that the seminary was able to develop the center because it already had been in the forefront of focusing on spiritual formation and not just education of students.<\/p>\n