Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Hybrid program designed to offer individuals a deeper engagement in the contemplative life, as well as providing training and experience in spiritual direction
This 15-month program is grounded in Christian contemplative disciplines. It is designed for those who hear a call to spiritual direction. Participants should have regular spiritual practices and already be respected by others for their Christian maturity and companionship. The program involves directed readings, contact with a spiritual mentor, two residential retreats with other participants and staff, a final integrative paper, and a supervised internship in spiritual direction.
The weeklong residencies include teaching on Scripture and spiritual discernment, the difference between spiritual direction and pastoral counseling, and the theological basis for spiritual guidance. There will also be group and one-on-one spiritual direction sessions as well as a guided silent retreat. The 2024 cohorts beginning in February and October has already commenced and are at full capacity. We are currently accepting applications for the cohort beginning in February 2025.
Participants receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction at the completion of the program requirements.
NOTE: This certificate is not intended for academic credit and should not be considered equivalent to a degree or academic credential. It is designed to develop professional skills and spiritual knowledge.
Requirements
The following are the requirements for the Selah Certificate program:
Participate in two 5-day intensive residencies, one year apart, both of which will be held at Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Dallas, TX.
Additionally, participate in at least 24 monthly sessions as a spiritual director with at least two directees.
Read from an extensive bibliography that focuses on contemplative presence and the ministry of spiritual direction. There is an initial pre-residency list on contemplative practices and the art of spiritual direction, as well as a between-residencies list on contemplative practices and spiritual direction in multiple Christian traditions (Celtic, Ignatian, and Orthodox).
Be involved in monthly spiritual direction as a directee. This is required for the entire program and we encourage it as a regular practice as long as you serve as a spiritual director.
Send a recording of a spiritual direction session to your mentor for support and suggestions on improving as a spiritual director. Talk on a monthly basis with your mentor for case consultation and accountability.
Take a 48-hour silent retreat. This can be in your location in a place of your choosing. It is recommended that you do so in a location other than your home.
Write a final reflective paper describing your experience as a spiritual director, the readings, and the residencies and how they integrate with your ministry of spiritual direction.
Costs, DATES, and Application Materials
The following is vital information regarding the certificate:
| Cost of Program | $3,999. Includes tuition and room and board during residencies. Participant covers cost of travel and books. For information about completing payment and about an early-bird discount, see our Selah payment page. |
|---|---|
| Dates | Each cohort will have two retreats. Below are the dates for each cohort: Spring 2024 - 2025: Feb. 18-22, 2024 (already occurred) and Feb. 9-13, 2025 Fall 2024 - 2025: Oct. 27-31, 2024, and Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2025 Spring 2025 - 2026: Feb. 2-6, 2025 and TBD |
| Deadline | The February 2024 - February 2025 cohort has already begun and thus is closed. Applications for the October 2024 - October 2025 cohort must be submitted by September 1, 2024. Deadline for the early-bird rate is August 1, 2024. NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the cohort reaches capacity. At that time, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. |
| Application materials | To fulfill the application process, you must complete the following application essay questions and then have each of three individuals complete a recommendation form on your behalf. Application materials will be reviewed by Selah staff. |
| Acceptance and payment | If you are accepted into the program, an invitation will be sent by email with registration information. You are then welcome to enroll in the program by choosing one of the payment options described on our Selah payment page. |
Letter from the Founder
Hello!
My name is Dr. Jackie Halstead. I am the founder and CEO of Selah Center for Spiritual Formation. We are pleased to offer this program in conjunction with the Siburt Institute. And we are thrilled that you are sensing a call to the ministry of spiritual direction!
Margaret Guenther refers to the role of spiritual director as that of a midwife. We do not cause the birth but walk alongside the individual as they are in the process. Thus, it is with spiritual direction. Our role as directors is to facilitate an individual’s relationship with God. We consider our program a “non-guru” program—the true director is the Spirit. We, as directors, are there to assist in the process.
We seek participants whom God has given the charism of spiritual direction. In other words, people already come to you for assistance on their spiritual journey. This indicates that the gift is there--our role is to fine-tune your gift through the components of the program. As you fill out the essay questions as part of the application, the answers will assist both you and us in discerning a goodness of fit for our program.
The Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction is founded on the contemplative Christian traditions. It is comprised of two primary components. First, it is crucial that we attend to our own relationship with God in preparation to work with those whom God will send us. In addition, we will spend time with the logistics of spiritual direction—how you attend to another, how to set up the space, ethical and gender issues, and supervised practice with each other. These are just a few of the seminars that are included in the residencies.
Look over the reading lists to understand the “flavor” of the program. The reading, along with the content of the material, is a primary component of your instruction in becoming a spiritual director.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like to discuss the program. I look forward to discerning together with you on this important next step.
Grace and peace to you,
Jackie
Director
Jackie L. Halstead, PhD, LMFT, MDiv, is the CEO of Selah and holds two certificates from Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. The first is in Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats and the second is in Spiritual Guidance. She has been speaking, teaching, and leading retreats on spiritual formation, contemplative prayer, relational and mental health issues for the past twenty-five years at the national and international levels. Dr. Halstead has been led through a 30-day silent retreat in the full Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. She makes an eight-day Ignatian retreat each year at Spring Hill College under the direction of Fr. Christopher Viscardi, S.J.
Dr. Halstead has been on the faculty of Abilene Christian University for 20 years, having served previously as Marriage and Family Therapy department chair and program director. She now serves as associate director for the Marriage and Family Therapy online program, and she lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is the author of Leaning into God’s Embrace: A Guidebook for Contemplative Prayer published by Leafwood Press.
TESTIMONIAL
“Having participated in this training program for years, I am constantly amazed at what happens: greater attentiveness to God, true Christian community, the ministry of presence and sane, centered, non-reactive Christians. I can highly recommend this program for all those who want a deeply Christ-centered approach to a ministry of assisting others to live under the relentless love of God.”
— Randy Harris
Senior Consultant and University Fellow
CONTACT
For more information about the Selah certificate, you may email the Siburt Institute at selah@acu.edu.