Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation Certificate

The Spiritual Formation Program: Is This the Year You Should Start?

For almost two decades, this cooperative program with Columbia Theology Seminary (Decatur, Ga.) has offered more than 600 laypersons and pastors the opportunity to enter more deeply into the life of the Spirit.

Completion of this challenging program involves participation in an Immersion Weekend Experience, six elective courses, a practicum, and a pilgrimage. The Immersion Weekend and the electives offer the possibility of in-depth study, prayer, and reflection with a group of like-minded journeyers.

If you have ever desired to spend serious time cultivating your spiritual life, you should consider this opportunity. A number of people have now completed the entire program, and have offered uniformly high praise for the instructors and overall program design. These classes are meaningful and exciting!

The registration form and more about the classes follow below. Contact the Continuing Education Department at 412-924-1345 or e-mail ConEd@pts.edu with questions.

So…is this the year you should start?

Spiritual Formation Handbook

Spiritual Formation Registration

Spiritual Formation Certificate Program Partnership

Journeying through the Inner Life: Dream Work and Spiritual Formation (Weekend Format; 1213-30)

Bernard F. Tickerhoof, Director of Ongoing Formation, Sacred Heart Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis
The spiritual journey calls us to continuously reconfigure our lives both within and without. In the process of exploring our dreams, we are challenged to recognize the presence of grace, to broaden our understanding of faith, and to hear the teachings of Jesus in a new way. / Thurs., April 18, 7:00 p.m.–Sun., April 21, 3:00 p.m., 2013 / $325 (includes Thurs. D, Sat. B and L, Sun. B and L; lodging extra) / 2.5 CEUs plus certificate credit

Brochure and Registration Form                   Additional Readings                          Online Registration 

Immersion Weekend Experience: An Invitation to a Deeper Spiritual Life (1213-33)

Mary Lynn Callahan, Interim Director of Spiritual Life Ministries, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Spiritual Director; with presentations by various PTS faculty
This is the foundational course in the Spiritual Formation Certificate program. It consists of readings and lectures, discussion in groups, and personal reflection on your spiritual journey. Community and practical application of acquired knowledge are also part of this experience. / Thurs., May 2, 7:00 p.m.–Sun., May 5, 4:00 p.m., 2013 / $350 (includes Thurs. D, Sat. B & L, Sun. B & L; lodging extra) / 2.5 CEUs plus certificate credit   

Brochure and Registration Form                    Online Registration

Eastern Christian Spirituality (Weeklong Format; 1213-38)

John P. Burgess, James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology, PTS
Much of North American Protestantism has lost a sense of God’s holiness breaking into the world among us. In this course, we will explore how Eastern Christianity (Orthodoxy) can help North American Protestants come to a deeper experience of the Triune God. Students will become familiar with the Orthodox liturgy and church calendar, with practices of fasting, praying with icons and relics, and making pilgrimage to holy sites. The instructor will draw from his sabbatical experiences in Russia in 2011-12. / Sun., June 23, 7:00 p.m.–Fri., June 28, 12:00 p.m., 2013 / $375 (meals and lodging extra) / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit

Brochure and Registration Form                    Online Registration

Seeing with the Eyes of Faith: Visual Art as an Entry to Prayer (Weeklong Format; 1314-01)

Kristine Haig, Co-Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown, W. Va., Adjunct Faculty at Waynesburg University, and former Director, Office of Spiritual Formation, the PC(USA)
Our eyes truly are a “window to the soul.” Human beings take in most of our information through sight, and we can experience a sense of the Sacred when in the presence of beauty—whether in a light-filled sanctuary, or a museum, or on your back porch – watching a hummingbird at your feeder or a child asleep in your arms. Many religions have intentionally used visual elements in faith formation (Think of great cathedrals with stained glass depictions of biblical scenes!) and in meditation (as in the creation of Tibetan sand mandalas). In this class, we will explore the possibilities for opening our souls to God through paintings and photography, meditation with drawing, and attending to visual images evoked by literature. / Sun., Sept. 22, 7:00 p.m.-Fri., Sept. 27, 1:00 p.m., 2013 / $395 (meals and lodging extra) / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit

Monastic Wisdom and Practice for Non-Monks (Weeklong Format; 1314-02)

Bonnie Thurston, Author, Spiritual Director, and Former Professor of New Testament, PTS
This class will offer an experiential introduction to monastic spirituality. While keeping the monastic day by alternating prayer, work, and rest (including Great Silence at night), participants will explore monasticism's origins, history, and vows, write their own "rules of life," learn to chant the Psalms, practice lectio divina, and enjoy life in Christian community at Kearns Spirituality Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence, 9000 Babock Blvd., Allison Park, Pa. 15101 / Sun., Jan. 12, 7:00 p.m.-Fri., Jan. 17, 1:00 p.m., 2014 / $395 (lodging extra) / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit

Celtic Christianity (Weekend Format; 1314-17)

Rebecca Cole-Turner, Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader, and Ronald S. Cole-Turner, H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics, PTS / Thurs., March 20, 7:00 p.m.-Sun., March 23, 3:00 p.m., 2014 / $345 (includes Thurs. D, Sat. B & L, Sun. B & L; lodging extra) / 2.5 CEUs plus certificate credit

Old Testament Spirituality (Weeklong Format; 1314-18)

Jerome Creach, Ronald C. Holland Professor of Old Testament, PTS / Sun., June 22, 7:00 p.m.-Fri., June 27, 1:00 p.m., 2014 / $395 (lodging extra) / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit

Bringing Spirituality into Church and Life (Weeklong Format; 1415-01)

N. Graham Standish, Pastor, Calvin Presbyterian Church, Zelienople, Pa. / Sun., Sept. 21, 7:00 p.m.-Fri., Sept. 26, 1:00 p.m., 2014 / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit

The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and Christian Discipleship (Weeklong Format; 1415-06)

Martha A. Robbins, Joan Marshall Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Director of Pneuma, PTS
This course will explore (1) the overall content and structure of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises; (2) the underlying dynamics and graces for each of the four major movements of the Exercises; and (3) how these facilitate a deepening Christian discipleship and participation in Christ's mission according to one's unique gifts and call. The structure and process of the course is designed to give participants a taste of the Spiritual Exercises through periods of instruction, prayer, silence, reflection, discussion, and worship. Hence, all participants are strongly encouraged to be in residence for the week at the Kearns Spirituality Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, Pa. 15101/ Sun., Jan. 11. 7:00 p.m.-Fri., Jan. 16, 1:00 p.m., 2015 / 3.0 CEUs plus certificate credit