Sojourners Spiritual Direction

apprenticeship training CERTIFICATE

An innovative one-to-one training process

Do you feel deeply drawn to, or increasingly curious about, working as a spiritual guide or spiritual director?

Would you value a personalized training approach that can be flexibly paced according to your schedule?

Sojourners Apprentice Program is a carefully-crafted, streamlined training process. It’s designed for people with a deep spiritual commitment who want to learn the art and craft of spiritual guidance work.

The process craft consists of 20 learning modules. Each module includes both a home study process through an online teaching platform and a follow-up one-to-one sessions with Scott (online or in person).

This process is grounded in contemplative spirituality and a unique skill-building approach to learning the art and craft of spiritual direction.
It is geared to people who have embraced their own spiritual journey with depth and feel ready to accompany others as they seek to deepen their own awareness and practice.
It is theoretically grounded in an adult learning model and a stage model of human development.
My 3-Phase Model of Spiritual Guidance is the result of years of study as well as trial and error with hundreds of students and clients.
The teaching is built around competencies for each of the 3 phases of spiritual direction. It focuses on the mechanics and techniques of spiritual guidance work, with the belief that the more technically skilled we are at the craft, the more freely we can exercise the art.
This approach differs from the more passive “reflective listening” models that most programs teach. I found that clients get more real when their spiritual director is real.
This active form of spiritual guidance integrates deep and active listening, pointed inquiry, as well as basic counseling and coaching techniques.
The curriculum also reflects the threads of contemplative and evolutionary spiritualities, the Enneagram, and tools from entrepreneurial business practices.

You can read more about our unique approach and the Sojourner Spiritual Direction Blueprint here.

How it works

*Apprenticing with Scott McRae has deepened and ensouled my work as a psychotherapist. And this inner work has enriched and clarified my own spiritual path.* - **Drew W.**

The Sojourners Spiritual Direction Apprenticeship Training process consists of 20 learning modules, and each module has an at-home study component and a one-to-one teaching and dialogue session with Scott. The process is designed for a 15-18 month period, but can be tailored to meet individual needs and schedules. A spiritual direction certificate* is given to all who complete the program

* Note, there is technically no such thing as spiritual direction certification because there is no over-arching certifying organization for spiritual directors - training program offer certificates but not “certification”.

The Program Components

There are 20 at home study sessions offered through an online teaching platform. These sessions will include reading assignments, teaching videos from Scott and other spiritual directors, reflection questions, and written assignments. Expected time commitment for these sessions is 45-50 hours over the course of the training process.
Each session includes selected readings from required books and articles.
There are 20 one-on-one sessions with Scott that are scheduled every 3 to 4 weeks. These hourlong sessions will include further teaching of the module themes, review of the readings and reflection, spiritual practices, and on-going exploration into the development of the role and identity of spiritual guide.
Participants will keep a Spiritual Practices Journal that will both record reflections on one own practice and also become a repository for a variety of spiritual practices that may be offered to future clients.
During the course of the program, participants are receiving their own spiritual direction from a spiritual director or spiritual guide.
There are 5 supervised practicum sessions where write-ups from client sessions will be explored and discussed. Two of these sessions are to be recorded.

Training Program Sections & Modules

SECTION 1: SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOUNDATIONS

During my time with Scott, I have leaned into the possibility of yes. He holds up a mirror to remind me of my sacred self in moments when my recognition grows dim. I continue to be grateful for choosing the blessing of spiritual direction with Scott. - **Mara**

1 - The History and Traditions of Spiritual Direction & Comparison of Helping Professions

2 - Spiritual Direction, Religious and Cultural Diversity, and Claiming Our Spiritual Home

3 - A Psycho-Spiritual Overview - Part 1: Evolutionary Spirituality

4 - A Psycho-Spiritual Overview - Part 2: Navigating the 3 Worlds & Subtle Perception

SECTION 2: FOUNDATIONAL MODELS & THEORIES

5 - Program Models, Theories, and Blueprints

6 - The Phases of Spiritual Guidance Work

7 - The Enneagram and Spiritual Direction

Scott has an uncanny ability to get at the root of the issue. His years of experience working with hospital patients, chaplains, seminarians, students, and clients naturally shines through in his thoughtful questions, observations and comments. I often seek Scott’s wise counsel to help resolve my concerns. - **Helen**

8 - How Energy, Boundaries, and Power Inform Spiritual Guidance Work

9 - Understanding Relational Space In Spiritual Direction

10 - Addressing Resistance & Release: Motivational Interviewing & Narrative Theory

11 - Working with Clients’ Loss, Grief, & Trauma

12 - Anchoring My Unique Spiritual Direction Identity - Coming from the Real Place

SECTION 3: SPIRITUAL DIRECTION METHODS, TOOLS & FORMS

13 - Awareness, Voice & Leadership in the Guiding Process

14 - Spiritual Assessment & Renewal

It’s not just Scott’s wisdom or skill as a spiritual director that is exceptional, but also his presence. Scott’s grace, love and acceptance have been powerful and profoundly healing for me. His guidance has a way of helping me to get in touch with my own inner teacher within and always inspires me be who I am and live out my truth with hope. Thanks Scott. - **Bill**

15 - Forms & Practices for Spiritual Direction

SECTION 4: THE BUSINESS DIMENSION OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

16 The Why, Who & What behind your practice

17 - The Structures That Support A Spiritual Direction Practice

18 - Designing Your Spiritual Direction Practice & Income Portals

19 - Marketing Your Practice In Ways You Feel Good About

20 - Looking Back & Looking Forward: Celebrating Your Sacred Work Of Spiritual Direction

Sojourners Spiritual Direction Apprenticeship Training Costs

Training Program Costs

Full program payment of $4,500
4 payments of $1,150
20 payments of $235
Following completion of the program: 4 Spiritual Direction Supervision Sessions - $100 each

Scott’s Qualifications

Scott has been doing various forms of spiritual guidance and mentoring for over 30 years, with over 550 individuals, and over 4700 hours of supervising spiritual work. He has diverse experience and education that includes:

Over 22 years as a Spiritual Director
Over 17 years as a teacher in Spiritual Direction training programs (Center for Spiritual Guidance & Sojourners Spiritual Direction Program)
Founder of and lead teacher at Sojourners Institute
A Certificate in Spiritual Direction through Center for Spiritual Guidance in St. Paul, MN
Certification through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education as a Certified Educator (current)
Core Essential Certification through Corporate Coach University
Chaplain Educator at the University of MN Hospital through M Health Fairview (current)
Certified Enneagram teacher (Full Circle Enneagram Training)
Masters of Divinity degree from Yale University
Ordination as a Lutheran Pastor with parish and campus ministry experience
I’ve authored the chapter on spiritual direction in the book Courageous Conversations: The Teaching and Learning of Pastoral Supervision
I have a YouTube Learning Lab Channel that features videos on Spiritual Direction and on the Enneagram