So before you think about what your congregation needs to hear about the Spirit this week, maybe consider what you need to know about the Spirit this week. It’s hard to conceive of having something to say every Sunday that is any different from any other preacher out there and that will actually make a difference. It’s hard to imagine putting your theology on the line week after week and think this is all in a day’s work. For without the Spirit, it’s hard to comprehend being able to step into a pulpit each week and proclaim the Word of God. But it’s a problem that is a rather potent one for preachers. Perhaps that’s not just a Lutheran problem - and perhaps it might even be your problem. It seems that we can get by just fine without much recognition of what the Spirit might be up to. In Lutheran circles, the Spirit as the “shy member of the Trinity” is no joke. To hear that maybe, if we focus on the Spirit, the Spirit just might show up. Or, maybe they just need to be reminded that there is a Spirit that it’s worth some of our faith attention, that it actually might make a difference for how we see God at work in our lives. Do they need to hear about the Spirit as advocate, the Spirit of truth who accompanies us in our believing? Do they need to hear about the Spirit as a mighty wind, poured out upon us, taking over our very speech? Do they need to hear that they are indeed led by the Spirit of God and are therefore children of God? That is, choose one text and preach that text’s presentation and understanding of the Spirit rather than attempting a conglomerated spiritual mess that leaves the people in the pews asking, “Wait, what’s the Spirit again? What does it do?”Īnd only you know what Spirit your congregation needs to know this week.

For a complete list of classes offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning, visit Pentecost, Dear Working Preachers! At the risk of sounding like the proverbial broken record, are you ready for preaching this Sunday that celebrates the Spirit? The certificate will attest to completion of this formation and training program to develop the gifts and sensibilities of spiritual directors and support their callings to this ministry.Īssociate Director of Spirituality Debra Weir says of this new venture, “I sense this program will fully open the contemplative dimension of the Spirituality Program and support growing depth in the Columbia Seminary community at large.” She expressed eagerness to meet and start working with program participants and course leaders during the first program cycle.Ĭolumbia Theological Seminary is committed to “educating imaginative, resilient leaders for God’s changing world.” The Spirituality Program at the Center for Lifelong Learning offers courses and events as a resource for church professionals and lay people. Upon completion of the requirements of this program, a certificate of completion will be awarded. At home students will meet monthly for one hour with a supervisor in their area to further their learning in the practice of spiritual direction. Together with the Holy Spirit, they listen for and explore the workings of God in the directee’s life.ĭuring the residencies students will receive practical training in the art of spiritual direction through supervised practice in facilitated small groups. Spiritual Direction, often called spiritual companioning or spiritual friendship, is an intentional relationship between a person seeking spiritual guidance (the directee) and a trained individual (the spiritual director). Organized on the cohort model, the certificate is intended to be completed in two and a half years. Grounded in the tradition of Christian Spirituality, the curriculum includes four one week-long residencies on the Columbia Theological Seminary campus, individual reading and reflection, and supervised practice in the art of spiritual direction. This program of study is designed for individuals who discern a call to the practice of Spiritual Direction. Applications for the first cohort will be accepted through April 30, 2015. The first residential session will begin in the fall of 2015. The Spirituality Program at the Center for Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce the new Certificate in Spiritual Direction program.

One spirit seminary