ABOUT THE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION
A Network for contemplative Christian clergy in the Wesleyan Tradition
For more than thirty years, NTS has offered ministry preparation focused on individual and corporate spiritual formation – the life-long process of being transformed by God’s love into Christ-likeness. The Center of Spiritual Formation extends formational experiences and resources beyond the classroom into the lives of clergy and their congregations.
Together, we explore living and leading from a deeper place of belovedness and connection. This is an invitation to journey inward, beyond the expectations of your role – and further into your personal relationship with Jesus.
Learn more about the labyrinth image featured in our logo in this video courtesy of Clark Underwood. You can see more of his work on his YouTube channel.
FORMATIONAL WEBINARS
Every 4 to 6 week webinar series offered from the Center for Spiritual Formation provides:
- Dedicated space to focus on individual spiritual formation
- Diverse voices from broader traditions of Wesleyan spirituality
- Intentional practices to build awareness, connection and discernment in love
- Reflective listening and dialogue toward mutual connection and discovery
- Resources, ideas and support for connecting contemplative spirituality in congregation/role
Visit our partner Praxis at NTS or sign up for our newsletter to receive information about upcoming webinars!
Here’s what past participants are saying about their experience:
“This webinar helped me learn how to be more intentional with my spiritual life. I’m also learning to change my perspective and habits so I can rely more on God and less on myself.”
“I have built some deeper friendships and learned a lot about varying tools to practice for my own spiritual formation.”
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TRAINING
Certificate in Spiritual Direction at NTS
A two-year, non-degree program to form individuals for the ministry of Spiritual Direction in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.
The program will be offered in a cohort model with live, weekly online sessions over Zoom, and a total of four in-person retreats over the two years: a Formation Year, and subsequent Practicum Year. In both years, retreats and Zoom sessions will be facilitated by a team of seasoned spiritual directors. Gatherings over Zoom and on retreats will focus on embodied, experiential group learning rather than lecture style teaching. Conversations and practices will be based on content and concepts found in weekly readings of books and/or articles. While there will not be graded coursework, there will be occasional required written reflections.
After completion of the Formation Year, participants will receive a certificate in Spiritual Formation, whether or not they decide to immediately continue into Practicum Year. Participants will be invited to join Practicum Year if/ when they, in conjunction with the facilitation team, discern a desire and gifting for spiritual direction, and have received spiritual direction for at least two years themselves. At the conclusion of the Practicum Year, participants will receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.
NETWORK & DIRECTORY
Looking for a spiritual director?
The network is a growing connection of certified Spiritual Directors within the
family of Wesleyan-Holiness denominations. Request a free copy of our directory here.
Are you a spiritual director?
Our network meets regularly to encourage and learn from one another, and looks for ways to offer our collective resources to the broader church in an intentional, collaborative way. Network participants are invited to submit referral documents
in order to be included in our regularly updated directory of recommended spiritual directors. If you would like to be included in this directory, please see our list of requested documents: Nazarene Spiritual Directors Guild Referral Documents.
To learn more about the network or to join our newsletter, please contact us at CenterForSF@nts.edu.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Christian spiritual formation is a lifelong, intentional cooperation with the God-initiated process of inward and outward transformation of our lives and our world to be like Jesus. Often referred to in the New Testament as sanctification, it is guided by a centuries-old Christian spiritual tradition and takes shape (form) in specific practices and in a community of faith.
Contemplative Christianity is a spiritual path that emphasizes practices of quiet listening and a posture of open receptivity to God’s gifts of grace. The goal of contemplation is awareness of and communion with God, becoming alert to God’s presence everywhere and in all things, resting in the Christ who holds all things together.
At times called spiritual companionship, soul care, or soul friendship, this practice has been a means of grace and a tool for discerning the activity of the Spirit throughout Christian history. During this hour of prayerful conversation,
one person (a spiritual director) helps another person (the directee) grow in awareness to God’s activity in his/her life. As in counseling, there is an ethic of strict confidentiality observed. However, unlike counseling or coaching, spiritual
direction does not attempt to steer toward a particular outcome or solution.
Spiritual formation is the life-long process of becoming like Christ, growing in love of God and neighbor. Spiritual direction is an invaluable resource in this ongoing work of transformation. Author and spiritual director Alice Fryling summarized the formative work of spiritual direction this way: “The effect of spiritual direction in my own life is that I have become less active but more effective, and more passionate but less driven. The Holy Spirit directs my life with a gentle, caring touch.” (Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction, p. 14)
As pastors and leaders, we are used to people coming to us with their questions. But we have questions, too: Where is the Spirit leading our congregation? Should I take this new position, or stay where I am? How can I feel joy again? Who can I confide in? Spiritual direction is a good place for our vulnerable questions to be met with safety and the love of God. Receiving regular spiritual direction allows us to become more open to the Spirit’s work in our own lives, growing in awareness and responsiveness to God work in us and around us.
There are many training programs for certification as a spiritual director. Typically the process is 1-3 years in length, including rigorous personal formation experiences, receiving individual and group spiritual direction, and a practicum of
offering spiritual direction while under supervision.
The Center for Spiritual Formation is offering a two-year certification program for those following a call into the ministry of spiritual direction. Find more information about this program here.
LEADERSHIP
Rev. Michaele LaVigne
Director of the Center for Spiritual Formation
Michaele LaVigne is a wife, mother, pastor, author, spiritual director and ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Throughout her twenty years of pastoral ministry, Michaele has served in a wide variety of ministry contexts including an under-resourced neighborhood in Ohio, a developing country in Southern Africa, a large suburban congregation, an urban church plant in Oklahoma City, and a house church in her home. Her belief that what we do is a direct result of who we are has fueled her own journey of spiritual formation, and her work to aid the formation process for others. Michaele understands that a deep well of personal spiritual experience is necessary for ministry and justice work, and is especially passionate about the spiritual well-being of clergy. She is the author of Living the Way of Jesus: Practicing the Christian Calendar One Week at a Time, and Changed in the Waiting: An Advent Devotional. She is also a contributing author to My Life with Jesus: 365 Devotions for Kids, and The City: Urban Churches in the Wesleyan Holiness Tradition, by Dr. David Busic.
Dr. Rev. Doug Hardy
Professor of Spiritual Formation
Doug Hardy is a seasoned theological educator (since 1989) and spiritual director (since 1994). Raised in Canada, educated and living in the U.S., he has pastored local churches, taught in higher education in the U.S. and Africa, and led retreats and pilgrimages. In addition to teaching spiritual formation at Nazarene Theological Seminary and offering spiritual direction, he pursues his interests in Wesleyan and Celtic spiritualities, and contributes by writing and speaking to both the academy and the church. His deepest desire as a director is to come alongside others to help encourage their noticing and responding to God in whatever circumstances they find themselves. Doug is married to a hospice chaplain and together they live in southern Maine and stay connected to their three adult children.
ENGAGE
ways to engage
1. Get Connected
Sign up to receive newsletters and information about upcoming events.
2. Book A Meeting
Reach out to schedule a meeting with Michaele to talk about needs and opportunities for your district and/or congregation.
3. Support Through Giving
Give to support pastors through the Center for Spiritual Formation
4. Apply for Training
Begin your application or request information to join the next cohort training for the work of spiritual direction.
