Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership
Going Deeper
A serious concern for spiritual life and leadership across all denominational boundaries is re-forming our understanding of personal spiritual life, leadership, and the church. Indeed, we might say that this is an ecumenical movement of the Spirit. Many clergy living in the midst of this climate of change in their personal and church lives are being called to deeper spiritual grounding.
For some years Shalem has considered a program specifically designed for clergy, concerning personal spiritual life and leadership in the congregation. In 1997, Shalem received a grant to further consider the needs of congregational clergy for ongoing spiritual formation and deepening in the life of the Spirit.
"I have not changed so much as become more deeply and genuinely myself, in relationship to God, in my vocation and in my relationship to my work in the congregation."
Elaine Dent
Class of 2003
One widespread need that surfaced was for a network of other clergy who would be a source of support and stimulus for those involved in contemplatively-inspired congregational spiritual leadership. In response to this need, we invited clergy who had participated in our programs and who shared a concern for deeper personal spiritual grounding and leadership in the local church to come together for the purpose of seeking mutual help and inspiration. A National Gathering of Contemplative Clergy was held in November 1999.
The Gathering gave the impetus for developing a new extension program for clergy in congregational settings-Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership: Going Deeper. Although our other extension programs connect with certain dimensions of congregational spiritual leadership and many clergy participate in them, none give the context of the local church as the explicit and shared focus.
This 16-month Program offers a dedicated time for nurturing one's own soul and for deepening one's contemplative orientation as a congregational spiritual leader. A contemplative attitude encourages immediate openness to God's grace in the shifting situations of daily life and, where called for, freedom to embrace both personal and collective risk-taking. In this sense, contemplative does not refer to a narrow, separate path but rather to an undergirding dimension of the way we live our lives, open-to-the-Spirit-in-the-moment in personal and congregational life. A contemplative orientation provides a steady spiritual foundation for authentic living, vision and action.
If you would like to apply for this program, contact Christine Jeffrey This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 x209 or download the application form (PDF) now.