Overview of the Diploma and Certificate Courses

Both the Diploma and Certificate Courses are built on an integrated process of spiritual, psychological and emotional development that is implemented within a functioning, multi-cultural community. The Courses are integrative, drawing from many disciplines, skills and approaches to the different areas of human growth. These form a background for the practice of growth facilitation from within a Christian spiritual perspective.

As a participant, you will attend lectures and participate in practical workshops and group processes. In order to gain as broad a practical experience as possible you will actively participate in different groups that are formed for different purposes. You will be assigned a personal mentor who will meet with you privately on a regular basis when you will have the opportunity to share, be encouraged, and gain support on your journey. You are asked to write and keep a resume of each session which is confidential between you and your mentor These activities will assist you in understanding your process – how and why you function in life the way you do – and the corresponding processes of others. 

The Development of Relationship, Integrating Psychology and Spirituality
The Courses cover the changing emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs and development of the person through life. Emphasis is placed on your relationship with God, self, others and the environment. Emotional and psychological development are stressed as the basis for of true spiritual unfolding. Human development including adolescence, mid-life, old-age and other crisis, sexuality, the development of self esteem, bereavement and loss, the problems of addiction, and recovery from trauma, all problems that must be addressed at one time or another by community and pastoral leaders, are developed and practised. Facilitating others through life situations that impact one’s spirituality is a dominant theme of the courses. During your time here, you will be given an opportunity to be a community leader under supervision.

Developing Spirituality
As a participant you will be helped to develop methods to deepen your own spiritual life through communal prayer, meditation and spiritual growth facilitation. You will learn the art of fostering spiritual growth in others from various approaches and methods of prayer, and the skills of spiritual growth facilitation. The importance of reconciliation with God and with ourselves in our daily lives is stressed. An intended result is a simple and single-minded commitment to the love of Christ and an acceptance and love of ourselves and our neighbours.

Time for Reflection
Each day you will have ample time for quiet reflection and to write a daily personal journal, which you are to later share with another participant. Many participants find their time of reflection enhanced by long walks along the nearby cliffs and beaches in communion with God and nature.

Diploma Course Details
Certificate Course Details