Interfaith Ministry: Core Curriculum
The Interfaith Ministry program offers students opportunities for spiritual growth, academic learning, and service in the community so that they may become agents of transformation both for themselves and in the larger world.
Along with cultivating foundational ministerial skills like group facilitation, public speaking, and embodied listening, students will develop the following:
Knowledge
The history and practice of Interfaith ministry and chaplaincy
The world’s religions, wisdom traditions and other non-traditional paths
Use of the arts in spiritual work
Understanding prophetic voice and how it can manifest in Interfaith chaplaincy
Ability to dialogue and resolve conflict
Awareness of one’s impact on group
Skills and Abilities
Creating and officiating interfaith ritual and ceremony
Self-reflection – learning to own one’s feelings, avoid projections and develop boundaries
Ability to give and receive feedback
Service as spiritual practice
Demonstrate a spiritual presence through deep listening and holding safe space
Developing and/or deepening individual spiritual practice
Understanding a chaplain’s professional ethical framework
copyright Amy Wilton
During the first year, the Way of Contemplation, students focus on personal growth and clarity of call. During the second year, the Way of Action, students deepen their spiritual journeys through skill-building and internships. 150 hours of volunteer service is required during each academic year.
During both years, workshops and retreats include the study and exploration of world religions and faith traditions, spiritual practices, compassionate service, storytelling, and the historical and cultural contexts of spiritual care. Recent workshops include: God, Goddess, Both and Neither; The Wisdom of Trauma; Current Spiritual Landscape in the US; Sufi Universal Worship Service; and Belonging to Place.
FIRST YEAR: The Way of Contemplation
Sampling of first year class titles:
Creating an Authentic Life
Gathering the Shards: Exploring Faith, Culture and Identity
Boundaries and Self-care
Forgiveness
Art as Spiritual Practice
Contemplative Life
Stages of Spiritual Journey
Mystic Heart
Elements of Interfaith Ministry
End of Life
SECOND YEAR: The Way of Action
Sampling of second year class titles:
Identifying a Personal Theology
Prayer and Presence
Wilderness and Spirituality
Professional Boundaries and Ethics
Spiritual Wounding
Legacy Letter
Ceremony Ritual and Service
Systems of Oppression/Culture
Grief and Loss
Sacred Art
Independent research and presentation
“We are exploring together. We are cultivating a garden together, backs to the sun. The question is a hoe in our hands and we are digging beneath the hard and crusty surface to the rich humus of our lives.”
