Spiritual Guidance Classes
Clergy, pastors and congregational leaders are called to guide the soul of persons and congregations whom they serve. This introduction to the art and practice of spiritual companioning (spiritual direction) provides essential understandings and skills for this ministry of guidance.
Class Themes Include
- Introduction to Spiritual Guidance
- Understanding Christian Spiritual Formation in the Congregation
- Attending to the God-Person Relationship
- How Family Systems Affects Our Ministries (Jesuit Center class)
- Comtemplative Living Groups in the Congregation
- Spiritual Discernment in Congregational Life
- Spiritual Formation and Dark Night Experiences
- Spiritual Formation of Pastor (Observing Sabbath Time)
- Reflections on Spiritual Formation: Personal, Professional and Congregational
Each Class Includes Opportunities To
- Deepen one’s own prayer and journey with God
- Reflect on themes connected to spiritual guidance
- Develop skills of spiritual companioning and direction
- Reflect on implications for ministry in various settings
- Observe and participate in giving and receiving guidance within the group.
Class Locations
September 2011-May 2012at Telford PA, Carlisle PA and the Jesuit Center, Wernersville PA
1) JESUIT CENTER CLASS- Jesuit Center
501 North Church Road
Wernersville, PA 19565
Class Dates
Held monthly on the following Tuesdays from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Class Dates:
September13, 2011
October 4, 2011
November 8, 2011
December 6, 2011
January 10, 2012
February 7, 2012
March 6, 2012
April 3, 2012
May 8, 2012
Faculty
Sharon Kraybill is a retreat leader and spiritual director from Lancaster, PA. She has a BA in English from Eastern Mennoninte University and a M.Div. from Palmer Seminary. She has taught in Ethiopia, at Eastern Mennonite Univeristy, at Palmer Seminary and is currently an instructor of pastoral care with Lancaster Mennonite Conference's pastoral training program. She attends East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church and enjoys poetry and canoeing.
Linford King is a trained spiritual director. He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School, Eastern University, Millersville University (M.A. in Guidance), Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (M.Div.), and Palmer Seminary (D.Min. in Marriage and Family). Linford served as pastor in the Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA for twenty years. He served as Bishop in Lancaster Mennonite Conference for seven years. He loves sports, reading, and being with his family.
2) TELFORD, PA CLASS-(Location to be announced)
Class Dates
Held monthly on the following Thursdays from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Class Dates:
September 15, 2011
October 6, 2011
November 10, 2011
December 8, 2011
January 12, 2012
February 9, 2012
March 8, 2012
April 5, 2012
May 3, 2012
Faculty
Sandy Drescher-Lehman is Pastor of Worship and Congregational Care at Souderton Mennonite Church. She is an author and retreat leader. Sandy graduated from Union Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Christian Education. Her life mission is to connect others to the immense unconditional love of God. She loves a good laugh, walking, reading, and spending time with friends. She is married to John Drescher-Lehman. They live at Fernrock Retreat Center.
John Drescher-Lehman is a retreat leader and spiritual director. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S.
and a Master of Social Work. He has a private practice in Counseling and Consulting. John is both fascinated and energized by working with individuals and groups from a strengths perspective. He loves photography, bicycling, camping, gardening, and good conversations with persons of depth and humor. John and Sandy have 2 young adult children, Maria and Jonathan.
3) CARLISLE, PA CLASS- Pheasant Field Bed and Breakfast
150 Hickorytown Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
Class Dates
Held monthly on the following Thursdays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Class Dates:
September 8, 2011
September 29, 2011
November 3, 2011
December 1, 2011
January 5, 2012
February 2, 2012
March 1, 2012
March 29, 2012
May 3, 2012
Faculty
Deb Brensinger, cares deeply about the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the people she serves. She earned her MA in Holistic Spirituality/Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College and has lived and ministered in New York City, Jerusalem, Kenya,
Romania and Zambia. She is a retreat leader, spiritual director, and mentor for students at Messiah College. She is married to Terry, has three children, and enjoys reading, gardening and sewing. She and Terry currently work for Brethren In Christ traveling and encouraging leaders all over the world.
Terry Brensinger, a longtime Old Testament professor and pastor, brings a wealth of training and experience to this course. He earned an M.Div degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. at Drew University. Terry graduated from Kairos in Spiritual Direction Training. He and Deb work for the Brethren In Christ denomination traveling and encouraging leaders all over the world. He and Deb have three children.
Eldon Fry, D. Min. in Pastoral Counseling; certificate in spiritual direction from Kairos: School of Formation; pastor and chaplain for over forty years, has a heart for pastors and their well-being. He is currently College Chaplain at Messiah College. He was previously College Pastor and Dean of the Chapel at Bethel University in Minnesota. He and his pastoral team have developed a model of Christian Spiritual Formation for Messiah College. He teaches Spiritual Formation in the Counseling grad program at Messiah College and is deeply committed to spiritual formation and reconciliation. Eldon is married to Ginger. Together they have two married children and six grandchildren.
Cost
Costs are based on nine monthly sessions. No refunds will be given for any missed sessions.- Non-refundable application fee: $50.00 Due July 31
- Tuition and meals: $1,000.00 (half due in Sept. and Jan.)
- Total Cost $1,050.00
Return the completed application form with a $50 non-refundable application fee to the Kairos office. Contact the Kairos office for more information about the program.