The Art of Spiritual Accompaniment

A course in Listening to God, self and others

This six month course is a new development emerging from the Sheffield Diocese’s successful introductory course in Spiritual Direction. It is now fully ecumenical and endorsed by the Bishop of Sheffield, the Bishop of Hallam and the Chairman of the Sheffield Methodist District.

The aims of the course are:

• to encourage deepening prayer and spiritual awareness
• to explore the dynamics of listening and responding to others sharing their life and faith experiences
• to explore the Christian traditions of spiritual accompaniment
• to develop discernment of the creative and life giving in experience
• to facilitate the growth in the ministry of spiritual accompaniment

It is particularly suitable for people who

• grow in their ability to be alongside others on their spiritual journey
• find themselves drawn to listening to others faith journeys
• sense a call to the ministry of spiritual accompaniment (Spiritual Direction)
• are in ministry in the church
• are clergy or laity
• reflect on their life and experience

This is an experiential course rather than an academic course. It offers a process of prayer, listening and reflection through which participants are encouraged and enabled to draw closer to God. Through this awareness of the transforming work of God in life deepens. The course run by an ecumenical team led by the Revd Nick Helm, Bishop of Sheffield’s Advisor in Spirituality and is open to people of all denominations or none.

Participants on this course need to have completed either the Spiritual Growth and Discipleship Course, the Spiritual Direction – An Introductory Course or the equivalent. They also need to have current experience of being companioned by a Spiritual Director.

The course begins in September 2007 and will end in April 2008 and is based in Sheffield. It involves twelve one-day sessions and a four day retreat. Each day will run from 9.45am – 4.30pm on Thursdays.

Download course brochure here

Download Application Form here