Christian Formation Retreats
What is the reality of your seminary life? Are you a second-career pastor, returning to school and facing the challenge of a new vocational calling? Are you fresh out of college, ready to continue your training in ministry? Already in ministry full or part-time? Whatever your story, you make up an important part of the Asbury community, and we want to journey with you!
In the Fall of 2005, Asbury Theological Seminary began what is known as the Christian Formation Plan - an intentional program of spiritual development and formation within the context of seminary education. On the Florida campus, we believe it is important to provide you unique opportunities that are appropriate and helpful for our particular setting. With this in mind, the Office of Community Life has developed a series of six one-day retreats that will span your seminary career. It is my hope that these retreats will gather together a community that might be separated by ever-changing schedules and geographical distance and allow us to become 'truly the community.' This semester we offer the first and third retreats - take a look below and join us for a day of discovery.
Fall 2007
Retreat One: Prepare the Way
Friday, September 21, 2007
(up to 16 credits completed)
Using the season of Advent as our inspiration, this retreat focuses on starting well. Together we will explore the foundational practices of a life of holiness, including small group formation and function and scriptural images of hospitality.
Retreat Three: 'I Have Sinned'
Friday, September 28, 2007
(33-48 hours completed)
Lent, a time of self-examination and confession seasons our day of contemplative prayer and practice. Within a larger theme of reconciliation and forgiveness, Scriptural images of humility, stories of grace and the promise of healing will guide our hearts.
Spring 2008
Retreat Two: Word made Flesh
(17-32 hours completed)
The birth of Jesus celebrated in the Christian calendar at Christmas allows us to enter into the reality of Emmanuel - God with us. In this retreat we will gather around the mystery of the incarnation and the sacramental quality of ministry in the widest sense of the word. Healthy relationships and the community mark of authenticity will shape our activities.
Retreat Four: New Creation
(49-64 hours completed)
The joy of Easter brings with it reminders that in Christ all things are made new. In this retreat we allow ourselves a time for celebration of a life fully lived in the light of grace and the victory of the resurrection.