I think I first became acquainted with Mark Yaconelli through the National Youth Workers Conventions, and always enjoyed listening to him speak. Since moving to southern Oregon, Mark and I have become fast friends, and his night facilitating Theology Pub still holds the record for the most people (50 people in the Playwright Pub). Mark is starting up a Spiritual Guide Intensive that sounds really exciting, and I wanted to make sure you all knew about it. The Spiritual Guide Intensive is a three month leadership intensive with Mark Yaconelli and some other very talented staff: Frank Rogers from Claremont School of Theology and Nancy Lipton (a spiritual director). Here is a brief description from the website:
Becoming a Spiritual Guide is an intensive three month program designed and led by author, spiritual director, retreat leader, and veteran minister Mark Yaconelli. Through contemplative retreats, practical teaching, spiritual direction, weekly spiritual practices, engaging group discussions, online correspondence, and selected readings participants will:
- Deepen their experience of and relationship with the God of Jesus
- Grow in practice and knowledge of the Christian spiritual arts: prayer, discernment contemplative listening, and compassionate action
- Learn a variety of spiritual exercises, disciplines, and compassion practices for use with individuals and groups
- Experience a variety of discernment practices and processes for use within churches, non-profits, and other organizations that seek the Spirit’s guidance
- Gain personal guidance and clarity on vocational gifts and calling
- Learn how to hold and heal relational conflicts and personal wounds
- Learn leadership skills for guiding others in prayer, spiritual practice, discernment, and compassionate action
- Gain a set of skills, methods, and processes for forming communities that are creative, compassionate, and attentive to the Spirit
This is going to be an amazing intensive, and I’d encourage you to check out more information here, and think about how this could fit into your life and ministry.
