The Spiritual Formation Program at SMU's Perkins
School of Theology recognizes that a complete theological
education and thorough preparation for ministry give attention
to identifiable needs and capacities, such as:
- Personal spiritual formation
- Experience and familiarity with the variety of spiritual
disciplines
- Capability to facilitate the spiritual growth of others
- Theological and critical capacity to evaluate trends in
spiritual expression and nurture the same capacity in others
Led by facilitators in groups
of ten, students at Perkins School of Theology share in a
formative experience designed to provide them with the framework
of a common experience, emphasizing:
- Experience in prayer and devotion
- Broad-based exposure to a variety of
spiritual disciplines
- Opportunities to explore the central genius
of spiritual traditions
- The development of a critical capacity that
will allow the student to evaluate those traditions
theologically
- The opportunity to explore the deeper
connection between spiritual formation and vital ministry
The program in Spiritual Formation at Perkins School of Theology is an integral
part of the school's theological education. It seeks to
prepare students for a ministry which incorporates personal
spiritual formation, experience with the variety of spiritual
disciplines, the ability to facilitate the spiritual growth of
others, the critical capacity to evaluate trends in spiritual
expression, and the ability to nurture the same capacity in
others. Students gain a basic familiarity with the
complex landscape of spiritual practice and awareness of the
diversity of spiritual expression, an understanding of the
significance of cultural and ethnic context for the shape of
spirituality, and an awareness of the on-going dialog with
spiritual traditions of other faiths. Students strive to
acquire the ability to integrate the spiritual, theological,
and social dimensions of life. |
