Christian Formation & Direction Ministries (CFDM) Arizona is a non-profit Christian ministry. It’s mission is to “lead others into a deeper love for and intimacy with the Triune God, through spiritual formation and the art of spiritual direction, becoming a sacred companion… particularly through training, resourcing, networking and supervision of spiritual directors.”
The Goal of the Certificate Program:
– To mature into deeper intimacy with the Triune God
– To develop a theology of Christian spirituality by drawing on and integrating insights from Scripture, theology, historical traditions, psychology and related fields
– To discover the richness of one’s own spiritual tradition, as well as the gifts and blessings of other traditions
• To learn about, and engage in, spiritual habits and practices that facilitate spiritual growth
• To grow in balancing prayer, study and service and in developing practical wisdom based on Scripture, tradition, reason and experience
– To gain skills in providing individual and group spiritual direction from a Christian contemplative perspective
• To participate in a creative partnership among spiritual directors.
General Structure of the Program
A Cohort consists of students who meet together three times during year one, for three-day retreats and a one-day retreat. In year two, the cohort meets for three three-day retreats. During the first year, the focus is on spiritual formation and the tools for becoming a spiritual director. The focus of the second year is a practicum. Students will continue with formation, with the inclusion of monthly supervision by a trained and certified supervisor, as they engage in spiritual direction with 2-4 directees.
Attendance at the specified retreats is essential due to the communal nature of the program.
Entry Requirements
Admission is open to individuals (lay or clergy) from any Christian denomination who have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and have training or demonstrable knowledge of Scripture and theology. Life experience is highly valued as is awareness of a potential call to become a spiritual director. Admission to the program is granted by the Admissions Committee of the Regional program, composed of the Executive Directors, Faculty and Staff. An application consists of the following:
• A completed application form and application fee of $75.00
• A statement detailing educational background, work experience, Christian journey involvement in church and Christian service, and interest in the program
• Two letters of reference (one pastoral and one personal)
• An interview with one of the Program Faculty/Staff.
Faculty
Joyce Vidal-Thornburg, MA, CT, CSD. Bereavement Counselor for Hospice of the Valley with 25+ years of counseling experience; Certified Spiritual Director, Supervisor, and Executive Director of CFDM Arizona.
Ann Hott, CSD, Certified Spiritual Director/Supervisor. Coordinator of Contemplative Ministries, Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church.
Brita Hammit, MA, CSD, Certified Spiritual Director, retreat leader and author of two devotional books for women, Trek to the Manger and Want What You’ve Got.
Guest Faculty: Rev. Dr. Catherine C. Gregg, D.Min., Ordained Episcopal Priest, former Canon for the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, former Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in St. George, Utah, and former Director of both the Doctor of Ministry Program in Spirituality and the Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California.
Other Guest Faculty as available.
Cost
Tuition for year 2 year program is $4,000.
For questions or to make an appointment for an interview, contact Joyce Vidal-Thornburg at: cfdmarizona@gmail.org.
Christian Formation and Direction Ministry Arizona 