Soul Shepherding Institute

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 ministry leaders just like you avoid burnout through individual and group 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 or ministry leader

About the Soul Shepherding Institute

An 18-month program of experiential learning over 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! Apply today and get the soul care you need.

*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…

Dr.'s 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

East Coast Cohort 10:
Big Canoe, GA (near Asheville, NC, Atlanta GA, Chattanooga, TN and Huntsville, AL )
October 18-22, 2021

West Coast Cohort 11:
Coto de Caza, CA
Feb. 7-11, 2022

West Coast Cohort 12:
Southern California
October 4-8, 2021

Midwest Cohort 13:
Colorado Springs, CO
March 14-18, 2022

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

View all retreat dates.

Spiritual Direction Class of 2023 starts March 2021. Registration remains open through July for late start. Class of 2024 starts March 2022. (See 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.

Partial scholarships are available upon approval. We offer a 25% discount for a spouse attending the same retreat.

Custom Retreats

Custom retreats and trainings are available for church staff teams, elder boards, pastor couples, and pastor Sabbaticals.

Cost:
$320 for one 90-minute workshop

$2,000 for one day

What’s Next?

Spiritual Direction Certification

Take your learning one step further with our 2-year certificate program in the ministry of Spiritual Direction.

This online training program will:

Equip you to serve as a Soul Shepherd for others
Give you access to monthly groups that feature live teaching and discussion
Teach you the foundations of soul care ministry through experience and practice
Offer encouragement and feedback from Soul Shepherding supervisors and teachers

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

Cost: $150/month for 24 months