Spiritual Formation
The curriculum seeks to cultivate—as one unified reality—a life of prayer, a life of study, and a life of service. Central to this reality is the experience of spiritual formation through prayer in small groups.
Entering M.Div. students (optional for M.T.S. students) participate in a year-long immersion in groups of eight to 10 colleagues led by a local pastor or faculty member.
These groups meet weekly for an hour to share concerns, to discuss how to be formed as disciples, how to be faithful in one's spiritual life, to reflect theologically on the nature of Christian service, to practice spiritual disciplines, and, primarily, to pray together.
This opportunity is intended to help prepare students for the challenge of being spiritual leaders in their own respective contexts of ministry. Many continue this experience during their second and third years through participation in student-initiated spiritual formation groups.