This course will familiarize students with the foundational aspects of spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines so that their journey of formation and transformation will be intentional, meaningful, and grounded in our rich Christian tradition.

Building upon their learning and work in NLC I, students explore the implications of spiritual and emotional health in the context of their call to leadership.

In this course, students explore and demonstrate their ability to integrate their personal faith and spiritual growth with their understanding of the practice of ministry in context. Prerequisite: SFRM-506;, CHHM-510; THLE-520 or THLE-521; minimum of 52 credits.

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8) What does it mean to "walk humbly with God" as we "do justice and love mercy?" How do we discern our part in the struggle and not become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the societal issues that need to be addressed? How do we "ground" our spiritual journeys in ways that help us to act from a place of love and wholeness as we embody Christ to bring healing to a broken world? Using Scripture, as well as the works of ancient and contemporary writers, students in this course will explore the intersectionality of healthy spiritual formation and positive social action as they reflect on their own roles in the Church and in society.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary prologue consists of 12 weeks of online readings, assignments, and dicussions in preparation for the on-ground engagement. Openseminary M.T.S. program course.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary one-week, on-ground experience consists of full-day class sessions and engagement with teacher-practitioners in the field of study. Openseminary M.T.S. program course.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary final project consists of 8 weeks of research and online discussions to produce a final paper/project, based on the learnings in the prologue and on-ground engagement. Openseminary M.T.S. program course.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary prologue consists of 12 weeks of online readings, assignments, and dicussions in preparation for the on-ground engagement. Openseminary M.P.T. program course.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary one-week, on-ground experience consists of full-day class sessions and engagement with teacher-practitioners in the field of study. Openseminary M.P.T. program course.

The module focuses on the meaning of biblical Christianity and its relationship to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as patterned in the Old and New Testaments. Learners will develop a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the community rather than the individual. In this study spiritual direction is identified as a spiritual discipline that has been used from an early Christian church to the present. Consideration is given to its relationship to culture, its expression in religious communities, and to insights for pastoral care from the field of psychology. The Openseminary final project consists of 8 weeks of research and online discussions to produce a final paper/project, based on the learnings in the prologue and on-ground engagement. Openseminary M.P.T. program course.

For centuries, writers have used (and misused) themes from Christian theology and history in service of the plot lines of popular fiction. These works can be inspiring and engage us in ways that deepen our faith, or they can be controversial and foster misunderstanding and error (sometimes a little of both!). Also, 57 when an author touches on a sensitive or controversial topic, the reaction of many Christians has been to condemn the work-often without careful reading or meaningful critique-or to dismiss the book as "just fiction." Yet these books (especially when they become bestsellers) can heavily influence the thinking of both believers and non-believers alike. Focusing on selected examples of modern popular fiction, students in this course will explore and think critically about the use of theology and church history/tradition in fiction (mostly secular), and how the material may influence popular culture. Students will be evaluated, in part, on their ability to formulate thoughtful, effective ways to either make use the material in preaching/teaching/engaging believers and unbelievers in the faith journey, or to effectively articulate appropriate responses to material that provides inadequate/inaccurate views of Christian life and faith.

Building upon the spiritual principles and practices introduced in SFRM510 Spiritual Formation, this course guides students into a deeper engagement with their transformative spiritual journey. Students will reflect upon their current personal journeys, and engage in practices that encourage spiritual self-care and draw them into deeper intimacy with God "for the sake of others." Note: the course will be taught in a retreat format, which will take place at a local retreat center. There will be an additional cost for accommodations and meals at the retreat center.

A guided course intended for advanced students who wish to do intensive, independent research in a topic related to Spiritual Formation. Credit hours determined with professor.