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A Certificate Program in Spiritual Formation & The Art of Spiritual Direction

Program Information

HCM International's certificate program in Spiritual Formation & The Art of Spiritual Direction provides students with the contemplative experiences, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to deepen their awareness of God, self, and others. Students will engage their spiritual journey in the company of an experienced spiritual director, through journey groups and group spiritual direction, and the development of their own ministry practice of spiritual direction.

Students will learn to discern God's presence in all of life by: 

    • POSITIONING self and others before the transforming presence of God
    • CONNECTING self and others with God's unconditional love
    • ENGAGING the essentials of spiritual direction into life and practice

As students' awareness of God in all things deepens, their spiritual perspective is transformed, empowering them to Rest in God's presence (Positioning)Receive God's love (Connecting)and Respond to God's voice (Engaging).

This unique program is designed for individuals who:

    • are hungry to experience deeper intimacy with God
    • desire to grow in attentiveness to God's movement in their lives
    • feel called to companion with others on their spiritual journey
    • seek spiritual community and mutual support with others of shared calling

To view the Program Outcomes, click here. To give you an idea of what to expect within the program, you may listen to this series of podcasts that are part of its supplemental curriculum.

Testimonials

If you would like to hear what students have said about their experience in the program, check out our video testimonials.

Program Format/Sections (Two Tracks)

Click here to read a letter from R. Neal Siler regarding recent changes to the program.

Certificate in Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction (One-Year Program)*

The one-year program consists of a pre-residency that introduces students to the rhythm and concepts of spiritual formation and spiritual direction. The pre-residency work provides the opportunity to experience in part what can be anticipated in the residencies. In each residency, students will develop spiritual community, interact with course content, share in a dyad or triad learning exchange and participate in group spiritual direction experiences. Between residencies, students will engage with their journey group (a smaller sub-group within the learning community that allows for deeper discussion and integration of spiritual formation principles and content). Students in the one-year program are required to be actively receiving spiritual direction and will begin their training (working with directees) after Residency 2. Additionally, students should have attended the Formational Prayer Seminar and will be required to complete two personal retreats (of which one should be directed) prior to the completion of the program.

Cost: $4,850 US

Program value includes residency instruction and group work, spiritual direction advising, residency room and board, spiritual direction at residencies, program residency and experiential materials, and more. Program cost is broken down into smaller increments that are paid in installments throughout the duration of the program (5 installments over 12-15 months).

*For more information regarding the two tracks available to you, click here.

Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Two-Year Program)*

The two-year program is designed for those who would like to pursue advanced training in spiritual formation and is specifically geared to individuals who feel called to the ministry of spiritual direction. As such, students in this program will engage readings that are more in-depth and focused on the work of spiritual direction. As ongoing formation is important, students will continue in personal direction, as well as one-to-one work with directees. Students will also practice experientials, spiritual disciplines and engage in a deeper level of group spiritual direction and skills development. The second year Praxes experience consists of peer supervision, dyad or triad experiences under faculty oversight, and spiritual mentoring. Year two culminates with an Enterprising experience in which students will develop the rubric for their ongoing ministry of spiritual direction or for developing their own spiritual direction practice. Students completing year two (including two, 2-day Continuing Education events sponsored by HCM International or arranged separately with permission) are eligible for endorsement through HCM International** and for membership and recognition in the ESDA (Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association). Students in the two-year program are required to complete a personal discernment retreat, lead a spiritual direction retreat and conduct one spiritual direction group prior to the completion of the second year of the program.

*For more information regarding the two tracks available to you, click here.

**Endorsement will be maintained by earning ongoing CEUs.

Cost: $5,500 US

Program value includes residency instruction and group work, spiritual direction advising, residency room and board, spiritual direction at residencies, two-part praxis program supervision, program residency and experiential materials, and more. Program cost is broken down into smaller increments that are paid in installments throughout the duration of the program (6 installments over 18-21 months).

Cohort E (2018-2019) Residency Schedule (One-Year and Two-Year Program)

All the residencies will be held at Camp McPherson: 21880 Shadley Valley Rd; Danville, OH 43014

    • April 7-12, 2019 (5 nights/6 days)
    • Sunday 5:00 PM - Friday 1:00 PM
    • August 10-14, 2019 (4 nights/5 days)
    • Saturday 5:00 PM - Wednesday 1:00 PM
    • December 5-9, 2019 (4 nights/5 days)
    • Thursday 5:00 PM - Monday 1:00 PM

How to Apply

Because of the nature of these training events, acceptance will be determined by personal interview. If you are interested in participating in this unique program, please complete the application packet and corresponding recommendation forms and submit them according to the instructions. If you have any questions prior to or while completing the packet, please contact us at direction@hcminternational.org.

Program Faculty


Dr. R. Neal Siler

Neal is the Senior Pastor of First Shiloh Baptist Church, (Mechanicsville, Virginia) and the Executive Director of New Life Ministries of Virginia, Inc. He has an extensive background in individual, marriage and family counseling, having been a mental health clinician, a court psychologist and serving in the private sector. In 2008, he founded The Healing Place, which provides on-going small group ministry and extensive training opportunities in healing prayer and formational counseling.



Sarah Herring, M.A.

Sarah resides in Redding, California, where she serves as a spiritual director, professor at Simpson University (previously an administrator for 16 years) and staff member at the Leadership Metaformation Institute. She has a Master's in Counseling, a graduate diploma in Bible and Theology and has completed D.Min. coursework. She was a part Dr. Wardle's initial retreat ministry at Spring Meadow and has served as a caregiver for the Come Away with Meretreats. Her specialties are a blend of spiritual direction and formational counseling. 



Dr. Proctor Beard

Proctor is the Pastor of Springfield Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia. He also serves as the Director of The Healing Place-West: Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration, a Master of Arts in Christian Education, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He has also served as a caregiver and team member with Healing Care and HCM International.  



Dr. Terry Wardle

Terry is Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary, Founder of Healing Care, and President Emeritus of HCM International's Board of Directors. He is a frequent seminar and conference speaker and the author of numerous books on spiritual formation and formational prayer. He has been married to Cheryl for more than 40 years, has three children and five grandchildren.



Dr. Anne Halley

Anne received her D.Min. in Formational Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary and is recognized for her extensive work in developmental healing. She teaches in the Integrating Formational Prayer Seminar and speaks at conferences and seminars in addition to serving as a spiritual director adjunct faculty member of the Spiritual Direction Program. 


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