Become a Spiritual Director
Soul Shepherding’s Spiritual Direction Training is where spiritual formation meets psychology. Drs Bill & Kristi Gaultiere lead students on a two-year journey of following Jesus that culminates in a certificate in spiritual direction.
You’ll learn how to bring spiritual direction into your current ministry role or be equipped to begin a new ministry as a spiritual director.
Our spiritual direction training is designed for pastors, leaders, coaches, missionaries, and other Christ-followers who want to help others grow spiritually and emotionally.
Program Benefits
- Training from Bill, Kristi and their staff (see below)
- Informed by Christ-centered psychology
- Experiential learning
- Supervision to hone your skills
- Meets the guidelines of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors’ Association (ESDA)
- Eligible to apply to serve as a Sr. Spiritual Director on the Soul Shepherding staff
- 100% online or hybrid with four residential retreats and monthly online classes
Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!
Try Our Courses Today
You can get taste of the training program by being “in the classroom” with Bill, Kristi, and other spiritual direction training instructors through these recorded class video trainings.
Certificate Program Training Components
Institute Retreats in a community of about 30 fellow soul shepherds
Online Classes and supervision groups (90-minutes each month)
Practicum experiences to practice spiritual direction ministry and receive support from your supervisor and peers
12 or more meetings with one of Soul Shepherding’s Sr. Spiritual Directors
The Spiritual Direction certificate program also includes 14 assigned books* to read/review (from the Soul Shepherding reading list that informed the curriculum), 5 reflection papers, and 1 individual supervision meeting (with the option to add more).
We provide you with a Certificate Completion Planner that makes it easy for you to track your progress and earn your certificate.
Spiritual Direction Training Faculty
What people are saying....
It was so very helpful for me to read your book "Journey of the Soul" and to realize that everything I was feeling (and doubting!) was a normal part of going deeper into life with Jesus. God has really used the Institute to solidify in my heart what following Jesus in the next phase of life can look like. My passion for serving God's people is renewed!
“I wish every pastor and ministry leader could benefit from Bill and Kristi's ministry!"
After only one year in the program, my life has changed dramatically. I've experienced healing from a long season of church hurt and am experiencing the joys of a life yoked with Jesus. I've made soul friendships in the program that I know will last into eternity. And I am being equipped for my calling in Christ to help others in their journeys!"
“I have never felt so listened to and cared for as when I talked with Dave on the Soul Shepherding staff. Meeting with him for Spiritual Direction changed my insides. It changed how I operate and function as a pastor. Now, after going through the Institute and certificate program, I get to serve as a Spiritual Director for others!”
Soul Shepherding is so powerful [and shows us] this other side of developing the leadership of our heart and our soul… That’s the part that I’ve been missing. That’s the part that makes leadership flourish.
Schedule
Starts March 1st each year.
- In addition to the online program, all four Soul Shepherding Institute retreats need to be completed to earn a certificate.
Cost
$349* per month for 24 months (this includes fees for the required 4 Institute retreats). Other payment arrangements are available. Schedule a free Zoom call to discuss pricing options here.
*Reflects updated pricing as of Feb 1, 2023. For questions, please contact Sue Wood at sue@soulshepherding.org
** Additional costs for spiritual direction sessions, network resources, books, and a private room on retreats
*** Pastors and missionaries can apply for scholarship assistance
Additional Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!