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SPIRITUAL FORMATION DEPARTMENT
To view the major in Spiritual Formation and Ministry, click here.
To view the M.A. degree in Spiritual Formation, click here.
Course Descriptions
SPFM 1001 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 1 (3)
Introduces students to the disciplines and dynamics of spiritual growth and begins the process of self-discovery through personal storyboarding and personal inventory of healthy and unhealthy patterns and personal strategies for navigating life.
SPFM1002 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2 (3)
This course is a continuation of SPFM 1001. The student’s narrative timeline is further refined as more assessments are introduced with the goal of forging a spiritual formation plan to be implemented over the course of the year. (Prerequisite: SPFM 1001)
SPFM 3031 Retreats and Spiritual Formation (3)
This course focuses on the intentional immersion of the student in the disciplines of spiritual formation. Three retreats are scheduled during the semester, which address major themes within spiritual formation. Between retreats, students have required readings, assignments and one-on-one interaction with the instructor that prepare for and evaluate each retreat experience.
SPFM 3110 History of Spiritual Formation (3)
This course introduces the conversation surrounding spiritual formation from the ancients to the moderns and explores the major traditions and models advanced for the care of the soul.
SPFM 3113 Ancient Spiritual Formation (3)
This course introduces the conversation surrounding spiritual formation and explores the traditions and models advanced for the care of the soul by the ancient Church. Three historical figures are selected for in depth study and may vary each time the course is offered. The list of potential subjects includes (but is not limited to) St. Benedict, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Thomas a Kempis, the Desert Fathers, and Bernard of Clairvaux.
SPFM 3115 Contemporary Spiritual Formation (3)
This course introduces the conversation surrounding spiritual formation and explores the traditions and models advanced for the care of the soul by the modern Church. Three contemporary figures are selected for in depth study and may vary each time the course is offered. The list of potential subjects includes (but is not limited to) Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Robert Clinton, and John Sanford.
SPFM 3201 Spiritual Disciplines 1 (3)
Participation, instruction, and understanding the biblical basis for a variety of spiritual disciplines including contemplation, recollection, worship, silence, lectio divina (spiritual reading), meditatio (biblical meditation), fasting and Sabbath keeping are the focus of this course, as well as the identification of obstacles that impede spiritual growth. (Prerequisite: SPFM 1002)
SPFM 3231 Formational Motivations (3)
This course evaluates the various motivations advanced at different times and in different cultures as legitimate ways to approach the Christian Life i.e. duty, guilt, custom, habit, fear, etc. Emphasis is given to the practical outworkings of the Great Commandment and bridal paradigms. (Prerequisite: SPFM 1001 and SPFM 3101).
SPFM 3301 Human Development and Spiritual Formation (3)
Relevant aspects of human development are introduced and integrated across the disciplines of psychology, sociology, and theology. Stages of developments and hindrances to healthy development are identified and discussed across disciplines. (Prerequisite: SPFM 1002)
SPFM 3403 Spiritual Formation and the Father (3)
The role of human fathers as earthly representatives of God the Father and is studied with regards to the spiritual formation of affirmation and blessing, or the absence of affirmation and blessing.
SPFM 3407 Spiritual Gifting (3)
A biblical study of spiritual gifts lays the groundwork for assessments and the exercise of gifting within a spiritual community.
SPFM 3408 Spiritual Formation and Worship (3)
A biblical and theological assessment of worship underscores the practical applications of worship as a means of formation.
SPFM 3409 Theology of Suffering, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Blessing (3)
This course looks at the historic roles suffering, forgiveness, reconciliation, and blessing have played in spiritual formation and their interactive nature.
SPFM 3421 Spiritual Formation and Marriage (3)
The design and nature of marriage is presented as a laboratory where spiritual transformation takes place.
SPFM 3424 Spiritual Formation and Community (3)
This course is a practical examination of role of community in spiritual formation as well as how a vital community of spiritual influence is established and maintained against the barriers common to such endeavors.
SPFM 4201 Art of Spiritual Direction (3)
This course addresses the question of how to intentionally guide someone in their spiritual growth and development. Course content is drawn from theology, psychology and the spiritual heritage of the Church, and distinguishes the art of spiritual direction from that of counseling and discipleship. This course is designed as a practical synthesis of the prerequisites and includes supervised experience in the art of spiritual direction. (Prerequisites: SPFM 4002, SPFM 3101)
SPFM 4701 Streams Retreat (1)
This is an immersion experience in which the six major traditions, or expressions of faith, are introduced, evaluated, and experienced.
SPFM 5001 Foundations of Spiritual Formation 1 (3)
Personal assessments and perspectives of the student’s narrative are taken through the lens of God’s biblical narrative. The recognition of patterns, themes, gifting and values that God has woven through their personal history are discovered through the use of timelines, various assessment tools, and personal reflection. The formation process is further discerned as personal distortions, woundings, and guiding fictions are discovered and a spiritual formation plan is forged.
SPFM 5002 Foundations of Spiritual Formation 2 (3)
This course is a continuation of SPFM5001. Particular attention is given to the implementation and evaluation of the spiritual formation plan forged during Self-Awareness and Spiritual Formation 1. Prerequisite: SPFM 5001.
SPFM 5031 Retreats and Spiritual Formation (3)
Same as SPFM 3031, with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3031 may not enroll in SPFM 5031.
SPFM 5101 History of Spiritual Formation (3)
Same as SPFM 3101, with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3101 may not enroll in SPFM 5101.
SPFM 5110 Spiritual Formation (3)
What is spirituality? How is it formed in private and in community? This course explores the meaning of Biblical Christianity and its relation to faith and practice within contemporary cultural contexts, giving special attention to the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as defined in the New Testament.
SPFM 5105 The Christian Life: An Evangelical Spiritual Theology (3)
This course proposes a comprehensive theology of Christian spirituality that inform the life and witness of Christians. Focus is on a theology that is Biblical, practical, and contemporary, accounting for and enabling spiritual formation and nurture in a post-modern, pluralistic, materialistic society. In addition, the course provides a theological foundation for a life of prayer that will empower and sustain the believer in life and ministry.
SPFM 5113 Ancient Spiritual Formation (3)
Same as SPFM 3113, with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3113 may not enroll in SPFM 5113.
SPFM 5115 Contemporary Spiritual Formation (3)
Same as SPFM 3115, with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3115 may not enroll in SPFM 5115.
SPFM 5201 Spiritual Disciplines 1 (3)
Same as SPFM 3201, with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3201 may not enroll in SPFM 5201.
SPFM 5241 Human Development and Spiritual Formation (3)
Same as SPFM 3241 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3241 may not enroll in SPFM 5241.
SPFM 5403 Spiritual Formation and the Father (3)
Same as SPFM 3403 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3403 may not enroll in SPFM 5403.
SPFM 5407 Spiritual Gifting (3)
Same as SPFM 3407 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3407 may not enroll in SPFM 5407.
SPFM 5408 Spiritual Formation and Worship (3)
Same as SPFM 3408 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3408 may not enroll in SPFM 5408.
SPFM 5409 Theology of Suffering, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Blessing (3)
Same as SPFM 3409 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3409 may not enroll in SPFM 5409.
SPFM 5421 Spiritual Formation and Marriage (3)
Same as SPFM 3421 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3421 may not enroll in SPFM 5421.
SPFM 5424 Spiritual Formation and Community (3)
Same as SPFM 3424 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 3424 may not enroll in SPFM 5424.
SPFM 5701 Streams Retreat (1)
Same as SPFM 4701 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 4701 may not enroll in SPFM 5701.
SPFM 6201 Art of Spiritual Direction (3)
Same as SPFM 4201 with additional requirements. Students who complete SPFM 4201 may not enroll in SPFM 6201. (Prerequisites: SPFM 5002, SPFM 5103, and SPFM 5105.)
SPFM 6210 Spiritual Formation Internship (2)
A weekly vocational internship is arranged for the student in their preferred area of spiritual formation ministry—church, campus ministry, retreat, or community. Each internship is overseen by a spiritual director who coaches, mentors, and contracts with the student regarding involvement, responsibilities, and processing.
SPFM 6711 Personal Formation Retreat (1)
This course may be scheduled late in the semester in which SPFM 5002 is taken. Each student must design a personal retreat (two day minimum) that specifically meets some of the real and felt needs surfaced during Personal Formation 1 and 2. The retreat scope and schedule must be pre approved by the instructor, implemented and then evaluated in light of the formation process and paradigm being advanced by the student. (Prerequisite: SPFM 5001 and SPFM 5002)
SPFM 6800 Spiritual Formation Seminar (1)
Students who participate in approved regional or national conferences on spiritual formation can receive credit when prior approval is given along with reading, writing assignments, and proof of attendance. This course may be repeated for up to 3 credits total. (Prerequisite: SPFM 5001)
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