Training

About Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction (SD) is a people-helping ministry also known as Soul care (SC). [Sherpa uses these terms interchangeably.]
It is a ministry of spiritual hospitality, making space for a three-way conversation (involving the director, directee, and Holy Spirit) in prayer.
The focus of SD is helping people hear and obey the voice of God.
With increased awareness of and attention to where and how God is at work in one’s life, the desired outcome of Sherpa SD is enhanced abiding—deeper intimacy and greater fruitfulness—in Jesus Christ.

Program Structure

The Sherpa Certificate in Spiritual Direction Training Program is two years in duration and includes four Learning Intensives, our “base camps” from which “treks” (six-month Terms) to ever-increasing altitudes set out. The capstone of the program, our “peak climb,” is an international spiritual Pilgrimage and guided prayer retreat.

The four learning intensives (one each fall, spring, fall, and spring over the two years of the Sherpa program) are held in beautiful retreat settings near major US airports (one in the North, one in the South, one in the East, and one in the West). The learning intensives, like “base camps,” serve as spiritual staging areas preparing our spiritual mountaineers for the six-month Terms that follow each learning intensive.

Sherpa is a program of deep Christian spiritual formation and contemplative soul care which offers three categories of equipping for the spiritual climb.

Personal Spiritual Transformation (reflecting on one’s spiritual autobiography, reflecting on a biblical theology of transformation into Christlkenss, and reading on Christan spiritual formation).
Christian Spirituality (surveying the activity of the Holy Spirit through history, being introduced to the spiritual approaches of the various branches of the Church, and making personal forays into areas of Christian spirituality that interest the participant).
The Skills of Soul Care (reading about, learning, experiencing, practicing, and being supervised in spiritual direction). These skills sessions (practica) are taught by a different instructor each learning intensive. Every training intensive offers four SD practicum sessions, each including segments of instruction, demonstration, practice, and debriefing

Learning Intensive and Term A

First “Base Camp and Trek”

Learning Intensive and Term A provide an Introduction to Spiritual Direction looking at the philosophy and skills of soul care and emphasizing Sherpa’s methods and values. Learning Intensive and Term A also survey the activity of the Holy Spirit in the Biblical Eras (Old and New Testaments) and provide the first look at Christian Spirituality focusing on the New Testament Church and its Jewish roots. Each participant reads about spiritual formation (SF), and makes their first spiritual foray; they also read about spiritual direction (SD), receive and give SD, and participate in SD supervision.

Learning Intensive and Term B

Second “Base Camp and Trek”

Learning Intensive and Term B move into Intermediate Spiritual Direction prioritizing spiritual hospitality and bringing insights relevant to SD from interpersonal neurobiology (a.k.a., “Neurotheology”). Learning Intensive and Term B also survey the activity of the Holy Spirit in Antiquity and look at the Christian Spirituality of the Ancient, Ancient Celtic, and Eastern/Orthodox Churches. Each participant reads about spiritual formation (SF), and makes their second spiritual foray; they also read about spiritual direction (SD), receive and give SD, and participate in SD supervision.

Learning Intensive and Term C

Third “Base Camp and Trek”

Learning Intensive and Term C provide a review Building on the Basics of Spiritual Direction revisiting Sherpas’ essential skills and philosophy and applying them to group spiritual direction. Learning Intensive and Term C also survey the activity of the Holy Spirit in the Middle Ages and look at the Christian Spirituality of the religious orders of the Roman Catholic Church. Each participant reads about spiritual formation (SF), and makes their third spiritual foray; they also read about spiritual direction (SD), receive and give SD, and participate in SD supervision.

Learning Intensive and Term D

Fourth “Base Camp and Trek”

Learning Intensive and Term D move into Advanced Spiritual Direction investigating specializations (such as soul care for co-vocational ministers and companioning leaders through transitions) and considering the life calling of a “spiritual formator.” Learning Intensive and Term D also survey the activity of the Holy Spirit from the Reformation to Today and look at the Christian Spirituality of the Protestant, Pentecostal, and New Global Independent Churches. Each participant reads about spiritual formation (SF), and makes their fourth spiritual foray; they also read about spiritual direction (SD), receive and give SD, and participate in SD supervision.

International Spiritual Pilgrimage

Peak Climb

Sherpa’s “Peak Climb” is an international spiritual pilgrimage and quiet, guided prayer retreat. This spiritual adventure is an extended immersive experience focusing on the lives and spirituality of people who had an intimate relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit and led communities of Christian transformation:

Every late spring (on a rotating basis) Sherpa offers one of four pilgrimages.

The 16th-Century Spanish Mystics (Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross in Spain)
Ancient Celtic Christianity and Neo-Monastic Movements (in Scotland and the English Borderlands)
The Saints of Umbria (Francis and Clare, and Benedict and Scholastica in Italy)
The Ancient Desert Fathers and Mothers and the Coptic Charismatic Renewal (in Egypt).

Certificate participants may choose the pilgrimage that interests them most, making it the spring before, after, or between years one and two of their program.  Friends and family members (not in Sherpa) are also welcome to participate as space permits.  Although only one pilgrimage is required to complete the Sherpa Certificate in SD Training Program, alumni are welcome to participate in as many Sherpa pilgrimages as they desire.

(For participants unable to undertake an international spiritual pilgrimage, other arrangements can be made.)

Admission Requirements

ADMISSION into the Sherpa Certificate in Spiritual Direction Training Program involves the following:

Prerequisite of
- receiving SD for one year (i.e., 8-9 sessions) prior to beginning training
Online Application Form and Fee
Submission of
- Formal Written Application (including candidate’s statement and short bio with photo)
- Two Letters of Reference
Interview

CONTINUATION in Sherpa SD training requires remaining current in payment of program costs, completing required assignments, showing personal and spiritual growth, and evidencing aptitude for this ministry.

(Some participants may receive a “Certificate of Completion of One-year of Spiritual Formation Training” and be encouraged to consider returning for the second year at a later season.)

Participants are required to be involved in receiving SD during the two years of training, in offering SD (to a minimum of two directees), and in participating in SD supervision (cost covered in the certificate program).

Costs

Each of the four learning intensive [“base camps”] plus six-month terms following [“treks] costs $1,500 (x 4 = $6,000).

That $6,000 total for the four learning intensives plus Treks can be paid in total, by the year, every six months, or covered by an interest-free twenty-four-month subscription of $250/month.
This $6,000 includes: meals and lodging at the retreat centers; an online learning management system; digital and printed resource materials; and cost of trainers, speakers, facilitators, and supervisors.

The cost of the Pilgrimage will not exceed $3,000 including everything except airfare.

The $3,000 is typically divided into a $500 deposit and two 50% payments of $1,250 on the balance.

Participants cover their own transportation to the learning intensive and pilgrimage: