UNIFICATION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE: SPIRITUAL FORMATION
COURSE EDU 5311
SESSION: FALL, 2016
REV. DR. LILLIAN MILES
[email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will focus on spiritual formation and growth in the life of the pastoral minister and other
spiritual/religious leaders in the church and community. Through readings, class presentations and
discussions, we will engage in theological reflections and dialogue; we will explore faith movements;
spiritual disciplines; theological, practical & personal growth in ministry; we will study guidelines for
writing a spiritual autobiography; and discuss goals for ministry. Students will participate in class
discussions and presentations; engage with peers in small group for theological reflections and dialogue;
maintain a weekly journal; write three short essays and complete a spiritual autobiography.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Students should have a clear understanding of their personal spiritual journey and understand
how family, community, church and other significant events in their life inform their personhood
and ministry.
2. Students should be able to discern their faith movements and exegete how God was and is
present on their faith journey and calling to ministry.
3. Students should be able to identify and utilize inward, outward and corporate spiritual
disciplines for pastoral ministry.
4. Students should show an awareness of pastoral characteristics: compassion, kindness, and love
in the care of those they are called to minister to and in general.
5. Through, presentations and hand-outs, students will gain knowledge on inclusivity in pastoral
ministry, as it pertains to interfaith ministry.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Formation: Following the movements of the spirit, New York: Harper
Collins Publishing. 2010,ISBN 978-0-06-168612-2, ($8.65)
2. Richard Peace, Spiritual Autobiography: Discovering and Sharing Your Spiritual Story,
Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1998, ISBN978-1-57683-110-6, ($9.99)
3. Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth,
New York: HarperCollins Publishers,1988,ISBN978-0-06-062839-0, ($13.54)
4. Albert Haase, O.F.M., Coming Home to Your True Self: Leaving the Emptiness of
False Attractions, Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2008, ISBN 9780-8308-3517-1, ($9.65)
1
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Class Participation: assigned readings; presentations/discussions; peer group assignments
2. 3 short essays (4-6 pages) Topics: Family; Community; and Church
3. Weekly Journal: new insights, ideas, experiences learned; significant emotions, feelings, thoughts
during your engagement with literature, class presentations, peers; lessons learned about yourself,
others, ministry; outstanding frustrations, disappointments; anything else?
4. Student Presentations
5. Spiritual Autobiography (16-20 pages)
EVALUATION
1. Attendance & Participation
2. Essays (10 pts. Ea.)
3. Weekly Journal
4. Spiritual Autobiography
5. Student Presentation
25%
30%
5%
25%
15%
Grades for each assignment are recorded by letter, and are
Understood as follows:
A = Excellent
B = Good
C = Satisfactory
D = Poor
F = Failure
Note: Failure to hand in an assignment will result in an F for that assignment.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that occurs when a student passes off
someone else’s work as their own. This can range from failing to cite an
author for ideas incorporated into a student’s paper, to cutting and
pasting paragraphs from different websites, to handing in a paper downloaded from the Internet. This includes buying or submitting a paper
written by a third party. All are considered forms of “plagiarism” and
a violation of the Seminary’s academic integrity policy. Instances of plagiarism
may be reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for disciplinary action.
Possible disciplinary actions include probation, suspension or withdrawal.
The first instance of plagiarism in this course, the student must repeat the
assignment. If the student plagiarizes again, the student will receive an “F”
for the course.
2
CLASS SCHEDULE
NOTE: Readings must be completed prior to class meeting.
Aug. 25
Readings: Nouwen, pp.Vii-xxx. “Spiritual Formation”; Haase, pp.15-53; “True self/False self”
Student Introductions; Overview of course requirements; Presentation and Discussion: “Spiritual
Development theory”; “working definition of Spiritual Formation”
peer group: reflection and sharing on present place in ministry.
Sept. 1
Readings: Nouwen, pp.4-33, “Early Movements”: From Opaqueness to transparency; from illusion to
Prayer; Peace, pp.11-23 Pilgrimage: “Call and Blessings”; pp.49-52, “Presenting a Spiritual
Autobiography”, Presentation & discussion: Spiritual autobiography and faith movements;
peer group reflection: faith and pilgrimage – reflection on today’s reading, Peace, Pg. 12, question 3.
Sept. 8
Readings: Foster, pp. 1-66, Door to Liberation: The Inward Spiritual Disciplines
Presentation & discussion: Tools for Ministry: meditation, prayer, fasting, and study
peer group: reflection on inner transformation.
Sept. 15 (ESSAY #1-FAMILY- DUE TODAY)
Readings: Nouwen, pp.35-73, “Midlife movements”;
Presentation & discussion: from sorrow to joy; from resentment to gratitude; and from fear to love
peer group reflection: hand-out
Sept. 22
Readings: Peace, pp.25-39, Encounters; Relationships; Foster, pp. 77-140,
The Outward Spiritual Disciplines
Presentation & discussion: Spiritual Tools for Ministry: Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service;
peer group sharing: reflect on the outward spiritual disciplines and how any one of them affect your
ministry and your relationship with God.
Sept. 29
Readings: Haase, pp.54 -94, Coming Home To Your True Self: “Present to the Presence”;
Presentation & discussion: Working towards wholeness;
peer group reflection: Haase, Pg.94
3
Oct. 6
Readings: Nouwen,” pp.89-121, Mature Movements”, Exclusion to Inclusion; Peace, pp.57-69, “The role
and Contents of a Spiritual Autobiography”
Presentation: Constructing a Spiritual Autobiography;
peer group reflection: Peace, pg.56, “Testimony”
Oct. 13 – ESSAY #2 COMMUNITY-DUE TODAY
Readings: Foster, pp.144-210, The Corporate Spiritual Disciplines
Presentation & Discussion: Spiritual Tools for Ministry: Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration
peer group reflection: (Hand-Out)
Oct. 20 (JOURNALS REVIEWED IN CLASS TODAY)
Presentation: Spiritual Formation and the Arts
Writing Seminar
Journal reviews: Individual consultations
Oct. 27:
Student Presentations: (topics/activity to be announced)
Class Discussion: Inclusive Spirituality as it pertains to interfaith ministry (hand-outs)
Peer group: reflection & dialogue on interfaith ministry (hand-out)
Nov, 3 (ESSAY #3 CHURCH- DUE TODAY)
Readings: Haase, pp.112-126, “Spiritual Discernment”
Presentation and Discussion: Components of Discernment;
Peer group: reflect on and discuss questions 3 & 4 on pg.126, Haase
Nov. 10
Readings: Haase, pp 127-144, The Spiritual Director
Presentation and Discussion: Spiritual Mentoring and Friendship
Peer group: Reflect on question #4, pg.144, Haase
Nov. 17
Readings: Nouwen, pp. 103-116, “Befriending Death”; Haase, pp.145-166, “The Ongoing Work of the
Spirit”
Presentation and Discussion: Radical Trust; Spiritual Celebration;
peer group: open-ended theological reflection on eternal life/death
Nov. 24
THANKSGIVING BREAK
4
Dec.1 (ALL SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHIES ARE DUE TODAY)
Telling your Story: Presentations of Autobiographies (2-4 readers)
(handouts)
Dec. 8
Completion of readings (autobiographies)
Self-Assessments:
Spiritual Growth
Goals
Review of course materials and learning experience
Dec. 15
Final review of journals; individual consults (by choice); CELEBRATION TIME!
5
Bibliography
Ackerman, John. Listening To God: Spiritual Formation in Congregations, New York: Alban Press, 2001
Benner, David. Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship and Direction. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity Press, 2002
Benner, David. Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity press, 2003
Benner, David. The Gift of Being Yourself. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press
Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001
Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform us. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity Press, 2005
Gilbert, Roberta. Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions. New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 1992
Hugget, Joyce. The Joy of Listening to God. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, Press, 1987
Job, Rueban P and Shawchuck. A guide to Prayer for All God’s People. Nashville, TN: Upper room, 1990
Kinast, Robert. Let Ministry Teach: A Guide to Theological Reflection. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press,
1996
Mulholland, M. Robert. Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. New York: Harper
One
Nouwen, Henri. Return of the Prodigal Son. New York, NY: Image, 1992
Palmer, Parker, J. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass,
2000
Wimberly, Edward. Recalling Our Own Stories: Spiritual Renewal for Religious Caregivers. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass, 1997
6