Apprentice Experience

The Apprentice Experience

Dallas Willard and Richard Foster opened the door for more Christians to explore the deep teachings of Christian spirituality in the great traditions of the church. Many of us have walked through that door and are discovering new insights for spiritual formation. One of the more profound insights for me is an ecclesial, or church, shaping of spiritual formation. Which is to say, this is not just about me and you but about us. The We of spiritual formation is always bigger than the Me. What this permits is tying our own spiritual formation to what God is doing in the world.

It is because of this I am excited to invite you to participate in the Apprentice Experience, a journey in discipleship intended for anyone who wants to go deeper in their study of Christian spiritual formation. The curriculum for the Apprentice Experience is based on James Bryan Smith’s model for Christian Formation, narrative change, spiritual exercises, and community. You will have the opportunity to grow in your own formation in these areas as well as your ability to lead others through a similar life changing journey.

The Apprentice Experience is designed for Christians at every level.  The gatherings will have an academic dimension to them, but equally important is the experiential aspect—hence the title, the Apprentice Experience.  We will be practicing the classic spiritual exercises, alone and in groups, and meeting together to process how God is shaping us through these practices.  You will experience deep and meaningful connections with other participants.  Sharing ideas, stories and resources will be an extraordinary benefit of the Apprentice Experience.

I taught in the first cohort last year, and will be teaching again in the second cohort beginning in November 2015.  I am honored to join a group of well-respected teachers, both men and women, in the field of Christian spiritual formation.

We hope you will prayerfully consider joining us.  For more information on the Apprentice Experience, go to www.apprenticeexperience.org The application deadline is April 30.