Clergy everywhere are finding congregational expectations to be overwhelming. Balance is elusive, beauty goes unnoticed, and burnout is common as clergy often find themselves isolated and pulled in many directions. A life meant to be centered in God and absorbed in wonder becomes fragmented by stress and time management issues.

Created to address these challenges, Shalem’s clergy program provides an opportunity for clergy of all denominations to practice living from the spiritual heart beneath the self-centered ego and analytical mind.

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Going Deeper Timeline

Much of the work of Going Deeper: Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership happens within the context of one’s ministry. The program is anchored by two residencies on Zoom, which include presentations on contemplative prayer and leadership, fellowship with peers, worship, and spacious time for rest, reflection, and renewal.

Enrollment opens: October 1, 2023
Early Bird Application Deadline (Discounted cost): April 15, 2024
Extended Application Deadline: July 1, 2024
At-Home Preparation Begins: June, 2024
1st Residency: July 31 – August 5, 2024 (on Zoom)
At-Home Work: August 2024 – July 2025
2nd Residency: July 23 – 28, 2025 (on Zoom)
Final Project Due: October 15, 2025

Program Components

At-home assignments include:

• Readings focused on contemplative presence and spiritually-grounded leadership
• Personal spiritual practice supported, if possible, by a spiritual director
• Periodic reflections, deep listening, and caring support with a peer group of clergy participants
• A visit to an innovative, risk-taking church of your choosing
• Create a listening group of laity from your church for spiritual deepening and mutual support
• At least two 24-hour periods of solitary retreat time
• A final reflection/integration paper that invites you to look back with God over your experience
  in the program to discern what you are being drawn to integrate into your life and leadership

Residency elements include:

• Fellowship and inspiration from other contemplative-minded clergy
• Rest, renewal, and a guided 36-hour Silent Sabbath
• Honest, spiritual community and the forming of a new network of mutual support and practical learning
• Presentations by residency staff with individual and small group reflection on themes central to living and leading from the spiritual heart, such as:
  • Nurturing Spirit-led leadership in yourself and your faith community
  • Personal and congregational discernment based on deep listening
  • Experiencing new and ancient practices of contemplative prayer
  • Addressing conflict prayerfully
  • Sacred activism from a contemplative heart
  • African contemplative spirituality for leadership
  • Cultivating a peaceful heart
  • Touching the Holy across faith lines
  • Experiencing oneness with Creation
  • Leading contemplative church business meetings (!!)

A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon completion of all program requirements.

Chaplains may obtain Continuing Education Units for completing this program. Past graduates have been granted CEU’s for Shalem’s programs by the Association of Professional Chaplains.

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COST

• Early Bird price: (through April 15, 2024): $3,400
• Regular price: (after April 15, 2024): $3,600

Need-based tuition assistance is available. For more information, contact ArDonna at ardonna@shalem.org