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Spiritual Directors Formation Programme
Spiritual Direction is a contemplative ministry of accompanying people on their journey with God.
Are you discerning a call to this ministry?
Perhaps some of the following statements resonate with you.
You are interested in helping others grow in their relationship with God;
You already have people approaching you to talk about their spiritual life;
You sense God’s invitation to consider this area of ministry;
You demonstrate in your own life and faith journey a commitment to spiritual growth and an awareness of the all-embracing love of God.
SGM's Spiritual Directors Formation Programme has been forming spiritual directors since 1988. Our two year, part-time programme offers comprehensive exploration of the theory and practice of spiritual direction, supervision for skill development, and significant opportunities for personal spiritual growth. Applicants come from all walks of life and Christian traditions and upon completion of the programme, practice the art of spiritual direction in a variety of settings.
Wairuatanga is a term in Te Reo Māori that expresses the two “waters” of the spiritual and the natural worlds and how they are present at all times in every aspect of life. This reflects the perspective of contemplative Christianity in which we pay attention to the “holy in the ordinary” and learn to respond appropriately to these divine moments or encounters. Wairuatanga is at the heart of spiritual direction and this formation programme.
The capacity to listening to the deep kōrero of others is both a gift and a learned skill. The Spiritual Directors Formation Programme hones that gift with a mix of self-directed learning modules and skill development workshops along with hands-on, real-time interaction doing the mahi of spiritual direction, supported by a supervisor.
Through this two-year journey you’ll learn the art of spiritual direction, be challenged and develop your skills in a supportive, courageous learning environment.
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Programme Content
Our formational learning experience weaves the theory and practice of spiritual direction. One of the gifts of this programme is that is promotes the growth of the participant both as a person and as a spiritual director.
Theory
Eight learning modules weave reading, study and reflection guides and written assignments (2 essays of approx. 1000 words per module):
An introduction to spiritual direction.
The relationship between director and directee.
Discernment
Prayer
Spiritual growth and its stages
Psychological aspects of spiritual direction
Engaging culture
A special interest project (of up to 3000 - 3500 words)
Practice
Continuing to receive one’s own monthly spiritual direction.
Giving spiritual direction regularly to another throughout the programme.
Attending 20 individual supervision sessions spread over the two years, including presentation of verbatim and case studies.
Attendance at all 10 workshops held in two or three locations around the country determined by predominant locations of participants.
Attendance at the Kōhanga Ako (collaborative learning nest) July residential week in Year One.
Attendance at the second and final Kōhanga Ako residential week-end in November of Year Two.
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SDFP national co-ordinator, KaiwhakahaereFran did the SGM formation in 2007/8 after a Foundation year. She worked with people in personal spiritual direction, offered retreats, completed a Master’s in Ministry and continued in pastoral ministry with her husband, while working independently in her spiritual direction practice until 2016 when, to her surprise, she stepped into the national co-ordinator role of the SDFP. Collaborating with God in developing spiritual direction skills in others is fabulous, creative work and a great privilege which she enjoys enormously.
SDFP Programme Leaders
Fran Francis and David Crawley lead the SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP). Fran Francis is the national co-ordinator, overseeing the two-year formation process assisted by a team of supervisors, workshop facilitators, and markers. David is the assistant co-ordinator and helps to look after participants on Year Two of the programme, including oversight of the Special Interest Projects.
Click the + sign next to their names below to read more about them.
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SDFP assistant co-ordinator
David has had a long involvement with SGM and spiritual direction and has worked alongside Fran as assistant co-oordinator since 2018, with particular responsibility for the Year 2 participants. He especially enjoys watching participants in the programme make the transition from trainees to spiritual direction colleagues. Until recently, David was a senior lecturer in spirituality and pastoral care at Laidlaw College. Now he devotes most of his time to spiritual direction, supervision, the Formation Programme and serving in Titirangi Anglican Church, where he and his wife Sarah are both in ordained ministry.
Selection Criteria for Entry into Formation Programme
Participants are normally mature people with a grasp of the spiritual life, Scripture and theology, who will have:
experience of receiving spiritual direction and making directed retreats;
a degree of wisdom based on life and faith experience;
some understanding of human developmental psychology;
some experience of being approached by others for help with their spiritual journey.
For some people a FOUNDATION YEAR will be suggested to enable adequate preparation before entry into the Formation Programme.
Pre or co-requisites for participation in the programme may include:
undertaking a counselling or skilled listening course;
gaining familiarity with personality type theory through a Myers-Briggs workshop and an Enneagram workshop;
taking a workshop in Christian Dreamwork;
attending a Treaty of Waitangi workshop (NZ participants);
attending a five-day silent, directed retreat.
What is the formation programme experience like?
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Questions to Explore
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Spiritual direction is a ministry that can bear fruit in a variety of ways. Some people grow a spiritual direction practice and some offer spiritual direction alongside, or within, other callings and vocations. Our programme forms participants as informed and competent spiritual directors who may minister formally or informally in settings such as parishes, schools, chaplaincies, retreat centres, prisons, workplaces, and community centres.
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‘Formation’ is a traditional word that describes a process of deep learning that goes beyond head knowledge. Participants are shaped and formed personally as well as professionally by the formation experience. While there is robust theory and practice underpinning the formation programme, this is not an academic qualification. Over two years of embodied learning participants become a person who is a spiritual director at heart, whether they practice formally as a spiritual director or bring this awareness and approach into other vocations.
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Please CLICK HERE to download the SDFP Programme and Fee Information PDF document. Please take note of other study expenses to be aware of.
Are finances a barrier to training as a spiritual director? The SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Procramme Year One Scholarship empowers us to resource someone to embark on the life-giving path of being formed as a spiritual director in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2025. LEARN MORE -
This two-year programme is personally challenging and requires a significant commitment of time, resources and energy. It provides a supportive environment in which to explore one’s own faith, while gaining skills and confidence in companioning others on their spiritual journeys. We recommend allowing 15 hours per week for programme commitments. This is averaged out on the basis of the various aspects of the programme, both practical and academic.
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No. While there is robust theory and practice in the programme, this is not an academic qualification. The SDFP is primarily focused on forming spiritual directors in the contemplative art of spiritual direction. (See ‘what does formation mean?’ above). We encourage participants who complete our programme to become members of the Association of Christian Spiritual Directors - a professional body that provides a code of ethics, accountability, and professional development opportunities. ACSD membership is a way of demonstrating professionalism and credibility to those who seek out your services.
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Yes! We welcome overseas applicants. The part-time format and self-directed learning, online resources along with practical application and personal supervision with an SGM-trained and appointed supervisor ensures a good formation experience. If accepted, overseas applicants must be able to travel to Aotearoa New Zealand for a compulsory week of residential training in July of Year 1. Visas, travel arrangements etc are the responsibility of the applicant. These expenses are not included in the fees. CLICK HERE to apply for the programme.
How has your formation as a spiritual director borne fruit in your life?
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“The person who realises that God gazes on her or him with love will begin to glow in their own unique way. We will gradually begin to realise that there is nothing to fear, and that life is made for sharing that love.”
POPE FRANCIS