Presents a study in the area of theological education. This title traces the origin and evolution of the formation model of training and identifies what difference this paradigm makes to the practice. It offers ideas for a renewed understanding and praxis of the role of prayer in learning. It is intended for the theological students and teachers.

The shift from adolescence to adulthood, a recently identified stage of life called "emerging adulthood," covers an increasing span of years in today's culture (roughly ages 18-30) due to later marriages and extended education. During this prolonged stage of exploration and self-definition, many young adults drift away from the church. Here two authors--both veteran teachers who are experienced in young adult and campus ministry--address this new and urgent field of study, offering a Christian perspective on what it means to be spiritually formed into adulthood. They provide a "practical theology" for emerging adult ministry and offer insight into the key developmental issues of this stage of life, including identity, intimacy and sexuality, morality, church involvement, spiritual formation, vocation, and mentoring. The book bridges the gap between academic and popular literature on emerging adulthood and offers concrete ways to facilitate spiritual formation among emerging adults.

"In recent years, theological education and training for both lay and ordained ministry have been reconceived in terms of ministerial formation. But what is the origin of this paradigm and what difference does it actually make to both teachers and learners? This study not only addresses these questions but also, offering perspectives from the Eastern Christian traditions and from empirical research, uncovers a dynamic role for prayer in the learning process. It explores how different types of prayer have the potential to be a significant integrative, cognitive, healing, empowering influence in ministerial formation and to enable a transformative process of 'deep learning'." "It will prove not only to be a reference book for all practitioners in the field of theological education, but also a practical workbook for teachers and students as its questions for individual or group use challenge present practice and open up new possibilities for the healing of the historic divide between theology and spirituality. The book identifies elements for the development of a rich theology of ministerial formation which will enhance and energize the practice of theological education. Seeking to re-balance training and formation, it invites a rethink of current functionalist approaches to professionalized lay and ordained ministry in terms of discovering creative and surprising functions of spirituality within the learning process. The book thus has implications for the teaching of spirituality, highlighting the need to articulate an integrated spirituality of education. It also addresses important aspects of the Church's mission in society and the imperative of resourcing clergy and lay ministers for their engagement with the rising interest in spirituality in today's culture." --Book Jacket.

Publisher's description: Presence-Centered Youth Ministry shows how classic disciplines, symbols and practices that have sustained the church over the centuries can shape the worldviews, virtues and habits of young people today. Come explore the deeper terrain of an ancient faith; your students are sure to follow.

'A Spirituality for Active Ministry' addresses the issue of contemporary apostolic spirituality for Christian ministers. Focusing primarily on the integration of prayer and action, contemplation and ministry, its purpose is to provide a tool for on-going spiritual formation for ministry. In addition to an exploration of key topics, the book includes reflection questions, activities and recommended readings. It is a valuable source for ministry training programs, religious communities, adult spirituality courses, and could also be used in workshops or guided retreats. It is designed to be used either by an individual for spiritual growth or with groups facilitated by a teacher or director.

Most books on spiritual formation focus on the individual. But spiritual formation is at the heart of the church's whole purpose for existence. It must be a central task for the church to carry out Christ's mission in the world. This book offers an introduction to spiritual formation set squarely in the local church. The first edition has been well received and widely used as a textbook. The second edition has been updated throughout, incorporates findings from positive psychology, and reflects an Augustinian formation perspective. Foreword by Dallas Willard.

Why does one well-equipped, well-meaning person in ministry succeed while another fails? Bob Burns, Tasha Chapman and Donald Guthrie undertook a five-year intensive research project on the frontlines of pastoral ministry to answer that question. What they found was nothing less than the DNA of thriving ministry today.

How do ministers, whether lay or ordained, form their spiritual life? What practices do they need to foster in order to become good and to be holy in their service? To answer these questions, Richard Gula invites readers to think along with him about the kind of minister they want to be: If we don't know where we want to go," he writes, "we will easily end up somewhere else." Gula then presents a variety of virtues? Including gratitude, self-care, humor, and courage? and explains how developing these qualities is essential for a minister's moral and spiritual life. By grounding a spirituality for pastoral ministry in the virtues, Gula provides a way for ministers to bridge the gap between who they are and who they hope to become in imitation of Christ Jesus.

In What to Expect in Seminary, Virginia Samuel Cetuk looks at the various facets of theological education -- the call to ministry, classroom learning, community life, field education, financial realities, time-management challenges -- through the lens of spiritual formation. In each chapter she challenges readers to view the particular topic as an avenue to spiritual growth instead of as an obstacle to the same. Offering readers the conceptual tool of reframing, she draws upon psychology, Scripture, and her many years' experiences in theological education to help readers see both the challenges and the rich opportunities of theological education related to ministry and spiritual formation.