DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the concepts and contents which underlie a mature spiritual life. The course will (a) focus on developing a conceptual foundation for understanding and approaching the spiritual life; (b) identify and develop some of the major topics of the spiritual life, and ask students to apply those topics to their own lives; and (c) deal with the implications of these understandings for spiritual directors and for spiritual friendship.

A mature spiritual life is foundational to the life of ministry. This course will emphasize this as a foundational concept for all ministry, and specifically as an introduction to spiritual direction as one of the possible roles in ministry.

The course will combine lecture, discussion, student work, and experiential application.

Maas, Robin and Gabriel O'Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.

Bondi, Roberta. To Love As God Loves. Fortress Press, 1987.

Foster, Richard. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. Harper, 1992.

A spiritual biography or autobiography (from approved list).

Collected Readings (Syllabus).

Students should expect brief weekly assignments: short papers, brief research projects, and practical application exercises. These will contribute to the final project, which will be a 15-page integrative paper dealing with their understanding of the issues and topics of the spiritual life. In addition, students will write a 10-15 page research paper which studies a foundational issue in the spiritual life. A 24-hour retreat will also be required.

Students must be accepted into the Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration.

Meets concentration requirement for Spirituality/Spiritual Direction concentration of M.A. and M.Div.

None.