This course introduces students to the ministry of spiritual direction. By exploring the nature of spiritual direction, the preparation and role of the spiritual director, and the current theory and research in spiritual direction through selected readings and a lecture-discussion-personal experience format, the course attempts to provide students with both a broad overview of this ministry and an opportunity to formulate his or her own model of spiritual direction. By itself this course does not qualify one to offer this ministry. Knowledge of the Christians spiritual tradition and supervised praxis are also necessary, and offered in this program.
For summer of 2008 this will be an intensive three week course meeting five days per week. Attendance at all sessions is required.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Reading PRIOR TO THE COURSE all the books listed in group 1 below.
2. Reading the books in group 2 by the end of the summer session.
3. Class participation, including presentation of books, topics, or case studies, role
playing, etc.
4. A twenty page paper on a topic relevant to the course, to be negotiated with the
professor. Due the last day of class.
READING AND PREPARATION
1. To be completed PRIOR TO THE COURSE:
Guenther, Margaret. Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction. Boston: Cowley, 1992.
Holmes, Urban T., III. Spirituality for Ministry. New York: Harper & Row, 1982. (If you
are unable to find a copy, write for a Xerox. )
LaPlace, Jean. Preparing for Spiritual Direction. Chicago, Franciscan, 1975.
Leech, Kenneth. Soul Friend. San Francisco: Harper, 1992 (new edition).
Each student should bring to Sewanee whatever materials might be needed to discuss the role of spiritual direction in his/her denomination's pastoral practice.
2. To be completed by the end of the course:
Barry, William A., and Connolly, William J. The Practice of Spiritual Direction.
NY: Seabury/Winston, 1982.
Bidwell, Duane R. Short-Term Spiritual Guidance. MInneapols: Fortress, 2004.
Fowler, James W. Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian. Jossey-Bass Publishers, c2000.
May, Gerald G. Care of Mind, Care of Spirit. San Francisco: Harper, 1992 (new
edition).
3. Also recommended: ** means out of print, will be on reserve.
Conn, Joan Wolski, ed. Women's Spirituality: Resources for Christian Development.
NY: Paulist, 1986.
Conroy, Maureen, R. S. M. Looking into the Well: Supervision of Spiritual Directors.
Chicago: Loyola U. Press, 1995.
Edwards, Tilden. Anything you can get your hands on. Many of his classics are out of
print.
Guenther, Margaret. Toward Holy Ground: Spiritual Directions for the Second Half of Life.
Boston: Cowley, ??.
Jones, Alan. Journey Into Christ. Boston: Cowley, 1992.
Leckey, Dolores. The Ordinary Way. NY: Crossroad, 1982.
**Leech, Kenneth. Experiencing God: Theology as Spirituality. San Francisco: Harper,
1985.
May, Gerald. G. Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology. NY: Harper, 1982.
Thornton, Martin. ** The Rock and the River.
_____. English Spirituality. Boston: Cowley, 1986.
_____. Spiritual Direction. Boston: Cowley, 1984.
Whitehead, James and Evelyn. Seasons of Strength. Winona: St. Mary's press, 1994.
**Zaehner, R. C. Mysticism, Sacred and Profane. NY, etc.: Oxford, 1961.
_____. Zen, Drugs, and Mysticism. Lanham: University press of America, 1989.
NOTE: Classes will meet afternoons for three weeks, Thursday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 16, 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. in Room 234. Registration for the course is Wednesday, June 25, Room 212.
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