The Art of Spiritual Accompaniment – 2021/2022
A one-year course for those wishing to train as spiritual companions (directors).
What is spiritual accompaniment?
- A ministry deeply embedded in the Christian tradition
- Walking alongside another in a journey with God
- A relationship which helps us to attend more closely to the movements of God’s Spirit in our lives
Course Outcomes:
At the end of the course, participants will have the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to accompany another in their spiritual journey. For instance, you will be able to:
- Reflect on own practice, and self-critique
- Identify and explore religious experience
- Use silence, listening and non-verbal skills creatively
- Maintain confidentiality and develop a relationship of trust
- Confidently conduct an hour-long session
- Maintain a prayerful, contemplative stance
- Recognise boundaries, and the need for referral to professional help
- Support the discernment of divine activity in another’s life
- Access and recommend relevant basic resources: prayer approaches, Biblical material, meditational material, writings and artwork for contemplation
- Recognise and work appropriately with different personalities, stages of life and spiritual growth
- Respond sensitively to confession, challenges, resistance, and expressions of feeling
What practical things must be in place before starting the course?
Each participant in the course will –
- be a member of a worshipping Christian community
- be able to provide 2 references: from the leader of your current faith community, and from another Christian in good standing with the church.
It is expected also that each participant in the course will –
- have been seeing a spiritual companion/director for at least 12 months *
- have completed a listening skills course or give evidence of an equivalent
- have experience of a silent retreat weekend or a retreat in daily life
Other relevant experience may compensate for the lack of one of these.
Further information:
Selection: is by interview and places are limited.
Dates: September 2021 – July 2022.
Days: Wednesdays weekly 7.30 – 9.30pm in three 10-week terms + four Saturday workshops
Venue: To be split between a venue near Warwick and one in Coventry and potentially with some online sessions.
Cost: £140 per term, payable in advance (includes provision of a course text book).
Application forms and further information can be obtained from:
David Jessett: d.jessett@btinternet.com
Applications if possible by 15 May 2021.
*You can be introduced to a spiritual companion/director in Coventry or Warwickshire by emailing: SpiritualDirectorCov@gmail.com