Covenant News

Applications Due May 13 for Spiritual Direction Program

CHICAGO, IL (April 11, 2005) - Evangelical Covenant Church pastors can now apply to attend the North Park Theological Seminary Center for Spiritual Direction, which will be launched this summer. The deadline for submitting applications is May 13. Decisions on applications will be made by the end of May.

The Center is a cooperative effort of the departments of the Ordered Ministry, Christian Formation of the ECC, and the Seminary. The program will offer a certificate indicating completion of 15 semesters of credit spread over three summer intensives and two academic year practicums. Those who complete the certificate program will be equipped to offer services of spiritual direction.

The summer intensive begins the program, and it will run from July 31 through August 6.  Space is limited. Start-up costs for the Center are being funded with the Lilly Endowment for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence. Dan Pietrzyk, director for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, said the Center is expected to be self-sustaining in several years.

Tuition costs will be approximately $5,900.  However, Covenant pastors and missionaries who meet the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence eligibility requirements qualify for a sizeable scholarship that could pay up to 75 percent of total tuition costs. Covenant pastors whose program is funded by the Lilly Endowment grant will agree to provide spiritual direction free of charge for one year to three colleagues in ministry.

Spiritual direction is a ministry of listening, discernment, and prayer in a confidential setting of encouragement and compassion.  A spiritual director intentionally sets aside the concerns of their own life to listen and attend to the experience of God in the life of another.

The Center is designed for those who actively express a commitment to evangelical distinctive while demonstrating openness to learn from other traditions. It is not essential, but helpful to have been engaged in a spiritual direction relationship.

Applications with reference forms should be sent to Mark Washington at NPTS, Seminary Admission Box 14, 3225 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-9972. They also may be faxed at (773) 279-7978. All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee of $50 made out to North Park Theological Seminary. The fee must accompany the application and sent to the above address. Applications will be available online the middle of this week at the SPE website.

Institution need-based scholarships are available. Those interested in these scholarships should check the seminary website North Park Theological Seminary.          

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