To prepare Diocesan Trainers for Episcopal Commissions on Ministry

Overview

This program gives Diocesan Commissions on Ministry the resources to provide opportunities for discernment of call in community to all baptized persons. It carefully prepares diocesan facilitators to train and mentor parish discernment committees in the practice of spiritual discernment. It includes format and materials to support the work of these committees.

Intended Audience

Diocesan Spiritual Discernment Facilitators need to possess leadership ability and to be conscientious, diplomatic, and spiritually mature. They must be committed to the basic principles put forth in Listening Hearts and Grounded in God. Each training group consists of six people recruited by the diocese to serve as facilitators. In addition, one staff person may be designated to audit the training, observing the discernment sessions and fully participating in all other aspects of the program.

Summary of Content

Diocesan Facilitators attend two one-night overnights retreats at a retreat facility. Workshop sessions, creative meditation exercises, and supervised discernment sessions provide an immersion experience in discernment that is rooted in classic spirituality. Participants leave with program materials that equip them to teach spiritual discernment to congregation-based discernment committees and thereafter provide guidance and encouragement to the groups as they carry out their responsibilities.

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