Professor of Spiritual Formation Responds to Rev. McCracken's Blog

Dwight Judy,
Professor of Spiritual Formation

Thank you, Rev. McCracken, for raising the theme of spiritual formation in seminary education in your blog titled, “District Superintendent Sees Failure of Theological Schools.” While previous generations of seminary graduates, such as myself, had little exposure to the rich Christian tradition of prayer and spiritual life, recent seminary graduates will have a better understanding of these issues. Seminaries are well aware of the gap in education that you mention. Since 1996 The Association of Theological Schools has included a core category for evaluation of seminary education: Personal and Spiritual Formation. It’s quite appropriate to ask all of our United Methodist seminaries how they are addressing this issue.

Unfortunately, it takes several years for the present education in spiritual disciplines to come forth into the life of the church through our seminary graduates. But many programs, including those sponsored by The Upper Room and various conferences as well as seminaries, are providing excellent ways for people to take advantage of this important curriculum in prayer and spiritual formation.

Since 2000, in cooperation with the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has offered graduate courses for the specialized ministry of Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation. The rich core curriculum includes courses on prayer, spiritual disciplines, spiritual direction, our Wesleyan heritage in spiritual disciplines, and teaching the Bible for spiritual formation. Most United Methodist seminaries are now offering this curriculum. Those who have not yet embraced the full curriculum are offering core experiences in their Master of Divinity curriculum in covenant groups or some other form of spiritual discipline.

If pastors have missed this curriculum in their seminary education, they are welcomed into the Certification in Spiritual Formation studies. Such studies in specialized ministry are open to laity, Elders and Deacons. It was interesting to see your mention of the excellent programs offered by The Upper Room, such as the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. As we were developing the Certification in Spiritual Formation, staff members of The Upper Room were included in our conversations. People can apply their experience in the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation toward their Certification in Spiritual Formation. Because of the need for this curriculum to enrich the life of the church, Certification in Spiritual Formation has become the largest enrollment in the many offerings for specialized ministries by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. It is a wonderful way to gain the knowledge and skills to guide people in spiritual disciplines, whether used for continuing education, as part of ministry preparation, or for Advanced Course of Study.

At Garrett-Evangelical we believe so strongly in this focus that we have set the goal to raise an endowment of $2 million for the Rueben Job Chair of Spiritual Formation. Bishop Job is an alumnus of Garrett-Evangelical, as well as one of the persons instrumental in creating The Upper Room programs you mention. We are honored that he has been willing to lend his support to this endeavor.

Yes, the seminaries have some catching up to do. Your blog reminded me very much of a conversation I had with one of my seminary professors in the early 1980’s, when I had stumbled upon the rich Christian heritage of prayer and spiritual formation. Why wasn’t I taught this material in my own seminary education? We’ve come a long way since then, but, as you point out, there is a very long way to go.

Please encourage pastors to enroll in Certification in Spiritual Formation studies. This curriculum is offered in a variety of ways, often accessible through distance education courses, by Garrett-Evangelical, Perkins, Boston, Drew, Wesley, Saint Paul, and United. Iliff and Claremont offer enrichment programs not under the GBHEM umbrella of UM Certification. Many Deacon track candidates are pursuing spiritual formation as their area of specialized ministry. Things are happening so quickly that my list here may be deficient, and I apologize to my seminary colleagues if my information is in error. Inquire of your seminary what they may be offering. Many seminaries, including Garrett-Evangelical, also offer Doctor of Ministry degrees that work in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction. Garrett-Evangelical is accepting applications for our next cohort of students for our Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction, which will begin in January 2013.

In addition to these offerings by the seminaries, there are excellent resource people available to guide experiences of prayer, spiritual disciplines, and retreats throughout the nation. Check with the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders (www.fumsdrl.org) for resource people in your region. FUMSDRL is a recognized affiliate organization of The United Methodist Church, with a contact list over 800 strong, another sign of the emerging importance of spiritual formation ministries in the life of our church.

Thanks again for bringing this significant ministry to light for the church’s well-being.

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Dr. Dwight Judy is the Professor of Spiritual Formation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. To learn more about Dr. Dwight Judy and his work in spiritual formation go to www.DwightJudy.com.