Soul Shepherding Institute - Soul Shepherding

Revitalize your ministry.

Barna research reveals that 1 in 3 pastors are at risk of burnout, and 75% of pastors know at least one fellow pastor whose ministry ended due to stress. We started the Soul Shepherding Institute to help pastors and leaders just like you avoid burnout through soul care training, spiritual direction, and coaching.

At the Soul Shepherding Institute, you’ll:

- Have space to hear God’s voice
- Engage in soul training that will keep you from burning out
- Be renewed spiritually to thrive in all you do as a pastor, spiritual director/coach, or leader

About the Soul Shepherding Institute

Life-changing community and learning in four, 5-day retreats.

Designed exclusively for pastors, ministry leaders, spiritual directors, missionaries, and business leaders, the Soul Shepherding Institute is led by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere:

- Doctors of Psychology, Spiritual Directors, and authors
- Personally mentored by Dallas and Jane Willard
- 25-year history of coaching and mentoring pastors and leaders

Each retreat features:

- Dynamic teaching on soul care
- Spiritual direction groups and soul friend conversations
- Rest, solitude, and silence in beautiful surroundings
- Guided experiences for spiritual formation
- Customized spiritual and psychological coaching

You’ll leave each retreat feeling rested, rejuvenated, encouraged, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive in your life, relationships, ministry (or work), and leadership.

Join an exclusive community of about 25 pastors and ministry leaders at one of our upcoming retreats! Or join any retreat as a guest to receive the soul care you need now.

*Great news! The Soul Shepherding Institute is now available to you online via Zoom!*

4 Retreats

Spiritual Formation

The way to overcome stress, hurt, and sin is not “believe and do what’s right,” it’s through apprenticeship to Jesus in his easy yoke. Learn the model and tools for growing in Jesus’ rhythms of grace to cultivate intimacy with God, emotional and relational health, and fruitful ministry.

Soul Care Ministry

Our Christ-centered spiritual psychology sheds light on the stress and struggles that can defeat life with God. Learn how to use our distinctive Soul Shepherding tools for personal growth and ministry to others in soul friendships, small groups, sermons, and church ministry.

Spiritual & Psychological Development

The spiritual life is not one-size-fits-all. Each stage in the journey needs different teaching, ministry, and disciplines. Our unique LIFE in CHRIST model of spiritual and psychological maturity provides customized coaching for you and the people you shepherd to thrive with Jesus.

Relationally Healthy Leadership

When we minister or lead out of ego, self-reliance, or hurry, it depletes our soul and hurts the people we love. The most effective leadership and ministry follows the way of Jesus—it’s loving, relaxed, joyful, empowered, and effective. Learn key practices to help you lead from a healthy place.

What Institute Graduates Are Saying…

Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere have brought a monumental impact for Christ to me, my marriage, my family, my staff, and my church. My wife and I were trained together in their Institute and have made it a required training for all our pastoral staff.

Steve Phillips, Lead Pastor, Journey Christian Church

The design of the retreat included… an effective organizational strategy session that Bill helped plan and facilitate. Bill’s love for Christ, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and collaborative spirit are a tremendous encouragement to our executive team.

Peter Greer, President, HOPE International Ministry

Through Bill and Kristi’s vast knowledge and readings, they take us to places where we can really go deep with Jesus.

Evelyn Lo, Pastor’s wife, Epicenter Church

Upcoming Dates

Midwest Cohort 13:

Southern Cohort 14:

Southern Cohort 15*

West Cohort 16:

Joining a cohort includes 4 retreats over 18 months or you can join one retreat as a guest (if there’s space).

Spiritual Direction Class of 2025: Certificate training starts March 2023 (see buttons below).

Cost

$900 early bird price (60 days ahead) for each 5-day retreat

$1,100 regular price for each 5-day retreat.

What’s Included: Training, lodging, food, digital notebook, spiritual direction groups, and coaching.

OR pay just $299 per month for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats plus the certificate program in spiritual direction ministry.

* Additional costs for spiritual direction sessions, books, and private room on retreats.

** Pastors and missionaries can apply for scholarship assistance.

*** We offer a 25% discount for a spouse attending the same retreat.

Custom Retreats/Training

Customized retreats and trainings are available for church staff teams, missionary groups, elder boards, pastor couples, intensives, and Sabbaticals.

Cost:
$500 per hour or $3,000 per day for Drs. Bill and/or Kristi Gaultiere.

$300 per hour or $1,800 per day for another Soul Shepherding staff speaker.

Grow Your Ministry!

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program

Take your learning one step further with our popular 2-year certificate program in the ministry of spiritual direction.

This online training program builds on the Institute retreats and:

- Equips you to serve as a Spiritual Director
- Gives you monthly groups that feature live teaching and discussion
- Teaches you the foundations of soul care ministry through experience and practice
- Provides you community with other leaders and support from Soul Shepherding supervisors

The program is led by Drs. Bill & Kristi Gaultiere and a team of Sr. Spiritual Directors they’ve trained. It meets the qualifications of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association.

Cost: $299/month for 24 months for all 4 Institute retreats and the spiritual direction certificate program.