SP500DE Spiritual & Personal Formation: Foundations ... & Personal Formation: Foundations &...

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SP500DESpiritual & Personal Formation: Foundations & Traditions

SYLLABUS

BETHEL UNIVERSITYBethel Seminary

3949 Bethel DriveSt. Paul, MN 55112

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Course Description This course will explore biblical and historical models and themes for spiritual and personal formation, models of transformation and faith development, and cultural dimensions of formation models and traditions. (Four hours) Learning Outcomes Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze, from biblical, theological, and theoretical perspectives, the dynamics of spiritual and personal formation.

2. Analyze the implications of their own formation journeys for their ministry to and with persons on different formation trajectories--including persons of different gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic levels.

3. Demonstrate an ability to develop and monitor both individual and communal formation strategies for a lifelong relationship with God.

4. Interact with course material and one another in ways that demonstrate a non-anxious, reflective, dialogue-centered approach.

The above are academic course objectives. We hope we accomplish them. Our greatest hope however, is that we will experience, in increasingly authentic ways, life in God’s presence. For some of us, that authenticity may bring us into darker, more ambiguous places than we have previously experienced. For others, light and clarity may burst in- in unexpected ways. As C. S. Lewis reminds us, God is not a “tame” God, and an authentic experience of God is not a predictable one. But it is one for which we have been created, and it is the outcome we’d most like for all of us.

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Instructor Communication Information Ryan GundersonOffice phone: 651-635-8030 Email: [email protected] Welcome to 'Foundations & Traditions', the first course of your Spiritual & Personal Formation course sequence! As a Bethel Seminary alum, I look forward to exploring the rich tapestry of formation together over the coming weeks. I invite you to contact me directly as questions and comments emerge for you. If you have a general question or one that isn’t deeply personal, and you feel it may be of benefit to share with the rest of the class, please consider posting it in our course’s General Discussion Forum so that everyone may view the answer. (Note: I invite you to respond to each other within the General Discussion Forum, too!) If your question is of a more personal or private nature, I invite you to contact me by either email or office phone. The nature of my work at Bethel is such that I am often not in my office to receive calls, but I do check voice messages often. Email is often a more expedient means of connecting with me. In either scenario, I will make every effort to answer communications on the day I receive it (or within 24 hours for certain). Again, welcome to 'Foundations & Traditions'!

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Required Resources Purchase Brown, J.K., Dahl, C.M., & Reuschling, W.C. (2011). Becoming whole and holy: An integrative

conversation about Christian formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN-13 9780801039256

Chan, S. (1998). Spiritual theology: A systematic study of the Christian life. Downers Grove, IL:

InterVarsity Press. ISBN 0830815422. Selected chapters. Conde-Frazier, E., Kang, S. S., & Parrett, G. A. (2004). A many colored kingdom: Multicultural

dynamics for spiritual formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN 0801027438. Selected chapters.

Foster, R. J. (1998). Streams of living water: Celebrating the great traditions of Christian faith. San

Francisco, CA: Harper. ISBN 0060628227 Friedman, E. (2007). A failure of nerve: Leadership in the age of the quick fix. New York, NY: Church

Publishing. ISBN-10: 159627042X ISBN-13: 9781596270428 George, T., & McGrath, A. (Eds.) (2003). For all the saints: Evangelical theology and Christian

spirituality. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 0664226655. Selected chapters.

Nouwen, H. (1992). The return of the prodigal son: A story of homecoming. New York: Image Books

(Doubleday). ISBN 0385473079 Available electronically within the course Balswick, J. K., & Balswick, J. O. (1999). Authentic human sexuality: An integrated Christian

approach. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Chapters 1-3. Lindbloom, L. (2004). Is that you, God? Cultivating discernment as a way of life. Self-published. Lindbloom, L. (2007). Prayerful listening: Cultivating discernment in community. Self-published.

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General Course Expectations and Interaction Guidelines While this course is conducted in virtual space, we are still interacting with one another and therefore the following are important to visit. I expect that in this course, we will all work to create a spirit of respect, curiosity, and dialogue, partly by following these guidelines:

● Presume welcome and extend welcome—in informal interaction, in small group discussion and in any large group discussion and interactions.

● Avoid making your experience normative for others.● Refrain from fixing, saving or setting straight others in the class● When the interaction gets tricky, turn to inquiry rather than advocacy (wonder about

something instead of defending something). Pay attention to the distinction between dialogue (which begins with a question) and debate (which begins with an answer).

● Make sure your questions are real questions, not ones intended to make a point, demonstrate prior knowledge, or communicate a hidden agenda.

● Observe confidentiality, especially regarding material shared by other students. Keep in mind that any course that requires us to examine our previous experience and understandings of spiritual formation has the potential to be unsettling. Our ability to learn in such a course depends on several things: our ability to tolerate ambiguity; our willingness to dialogue honestly and respectfully with others; our willingness to consider alternative interpretations; our acceptance of truth, no matter where it is found; our ability to take responsibility for both our beliefs and our anxiety about different beliefs; and our ongoing struggle to integrate new information with present beliefs. If you find that you are having personal difficulty in this course, I invite you to check in with me directly by phone or email, or Jeff Sanders ([email protected]) from the Seminary Office of Student Development & Support..

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General Weekly Schedule Because online courses don’t have regular face-to-face class sessions to provide “rhythm” to their schedules, it is helpful to create that rhythm using other means. In this course, we will primarily create this rhythm using forum posting and assignment due dates. Here is an outline of this course’s “rhythm:”

● Weekly rhythm: Tuesday - Monday● Major assignments due on Mondays, 11:55 PM (exact due dates are included in Moodle with

each major assignment)● Weekly discussion forum initial posts due on Fridays, 11:55 PM (exact due dates are NOT

included in Moodle)● Weekly discussion forum replies due on Mondays, 11:55 PM (exact due dates are NOT

included in Moodle)

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Course-wide Activities & Requirements Please note: Seminary guidelines for course construction assume that students will spend about 30 hours per credit (therefore 120 hours for this class). Noting this will help you pace yourself in terms of the effort you invest in particular assignments. Also note that I will post weekly reminders, announcements, highlight discussion, or other information on Moodle and via email. It is your responsibility to attend to these matters in a timely manner. Keep in mind that time for reflection and the required chosen spiritual practice is built into the workload and is assumed to be part of the hours you reserve for the course.

1. Readings

It is expected that you will complete all readings according to the assigned schedule and use concepts from the readings explicitly in on-line discussion and written assignments. Since there is a significant amount of reading, it may be helpful to at least skim all the required sections first and then choose portions that confuse or intrigue you in which to go deeper. Additionally, I will provide you with you with audio recording from time to time, to introduce or enhance some of the week’s readings and concepts. Note that the week’s required readings may vary in length, therefore plan accordingly.

2. Spiritual Practice

This quarter, you are asked to identify a spiritual practice. Ask the question, “Where is God in this?” as you implement the new practice. Please feel free to utilize the following links and/or resources below in choosing a practice for the quarter. You are welcome to be creative and inventive with your choice (they do not need to be found within the websites below; however, you are asked to choose one practice in which to participate for the length of the quarter. You will be asked to reflect on your practice in your small group discussions and weekly reflection summaries.

a. http://www.practicingourfaith.org/b. http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/c. http://renovare.us/ (Click on: Spiritual Renewal Practicing like Jesus)d. Thompson, M.J. (1995). Soul Feast: An invitation to the Christian spiritual life.

Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. (A very helpful book if you are able to get your hands on it.)

3. Weekly Reflections

Reflection, critical thinking, and interaction are necessary components of this course. As part of this process, you will be often asked to offer a few thoughts regarding the reading by way of a Weekly Reflection assignment.

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As you complete this weekly assignment, you are asked to practice the art of reflection in a written form, asking yourself “why”. This process will also allow for greater awareness and dialogue in the online discussion process. Please refrain from reflecting on the Nouwen readings here, as you will use his text as a springboard to complete separate reflection papers.

You are required to use the standard four question format noted below and also found within Moodle. For purposes of this reflection assignment, one or two cogent and concise paragraphs for each question will often be sufficient.

Questions: Please attend to answering "why" as you answer "what".

1. What was particularly clear and/or helpful in the readings for this week? (1-2 concepts)

2. About what in the readings do you have questions? (1-2 questions)3. What was surprising in the readings?4. What in the readings do you think God is inviting you to apply personally and/or

professionally?

4. Class participation via Integrative Discussions (Forum postings) Using your weekly readings, spiritual practices, and divine “noticings” as a springboard, you will participate in online confidential small group discussions. You will be assigned to groups of approximately 9-10 fellow students, with whom you will remain throughout the quarter. Because you are asked to engage the reading with openness and authentic curiosity, these groups will remain private to only the members and me as instructor. You are asked to adhere to the rules of confidentiality in that “what is stated in the group, remains within the group.” Also, throughout your discussions you are asked to look not only for points of agreement, but also areas that stretch and challenge. The intent of these discussions is to examine more closely the dynamics of formation and the implications of these for your own life and ministry.

It is important to notice that these online discussions may play a much more significant portion of this course than in some other courses you will take. Integrative discussions will take place within our Tuesday - Monday rhythm, as is evident within each course module. For each week’s participation grade, create one post in response to each question (or set of questions) from that week, and then reply substantively to the posts of at least two other students. Complete guidelines:

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a. Your initial post should be no less than 250 and no more than 400 words, incorporating the teaching points, required reading, and experiential aspects from the previous week.

b. Your initial post should be made within the forum text box, and not as an attachment.

c. Your substantive replies can be of any length, but they should contain…i. An understanding of at least a portion of the original post (perhaps

paraphrased)ii. An expansion of the discussion (additional commentary, research, or a

personal experience that illustrates the idea and gives it forward motion)iii. A logical way for others to join the conversation (open-ended enough that it

does not stop the discussion)d. The two required substantive responses must be to posts outside of the thread you

started, and can be either to an initial post or to another substantive reply.e. As a courtesy, you are encouraged to reply to anyone who responds to your initial

post. However, these replies do not count toward your two required responses.f. You may use conversational language, but pay attention to your grammar, sentence

structure, and spelling.g. There are no formatting (i.e., double-spacing, title page, font, etc.) requirements for

your post.h. There are no outside sources required for your post. However, you should properly

cite ideas that are not your own.i. Because of the interactive nature of these assignments, late posts (both initial

and reply) will receive no credit.

Just as in a face-to-face discussion, your presence, awareness, patience, humility, and grace are necessary. Allow space for you and your colleagues to process and wonder together. Be aware of your intentions in your dialogue. Remember this and respect your colleagues by being timely about your postings.

5. Reflection Papers

Reflection papers are not intended to be informal journals but should incorporate observation (of your experience), connection (to course concepts), and relevance (to life). The following four papers will require your use of these skills:

Homecoming/Nouwen Reflection Papers (Varied due dates noted below) Approximately 500 words each. During the course of the quarter, write three reflection papers coming out of your reading, discussion, and pondering of Nouwen’s book and the parable: one on your experience of the younger (prodigal) son (Due in Module 2), one on your experience of the elder son (Due in Module 5), and one on your experience of the welcoming father (Due in Module 8). Nouwen composes this work in a manner that

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encourages the reader to consider his or her own experience of the suggested roles, finding new areas of reflections, discovering new themes of pondering, and enlightening new places of relevance. Please offer your 500 words regarding those new aspects. In-depth reflection, personal application, and explicit connection to the readings will earn points for this paper.

Faith Tradition Reflection Paper (Due in Module 6) . Maximum of 2500 words. In this paper, analyze your faith journey relative to the six historical Christian movements discussed by Foster in Streams of Living Water. (Full instructions within Module 6). Note: This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.

6. Spiritual Genogram Project

This project will be completed in three parts (full instructions within Modules 4 & 10 below). This is the culminating assignment for SP500DE:

1. Genogram Chart (due in Module 4)2. Genogram Analysis (due in Module 10)3. Executive Summary (due in Module 10)

Note: This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.

7. Personal reflection retreat

This is to be participated in during Module 10. Please schedule approximately 2.5 hours in your schedule during that time (schedule this now!) so that you are able to participate. You will be asked to reflect on your experience utilizing a reflection worksheet for that week (provided in Moodle).

8. Course evaluation

Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade. Review this syllabus for how this will be calculated. An email with a link to the survey will be delivered by March 13 through your Bethel email account. If you have forwarded your Bethel email to another server, these emails may go into spam filters or junk email filters. If you have not received the email with the course evaluation link from Qualtrics by March 13, please first check your spam folder,

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and then contact Gloria Metz at [email protected] if needed. You may need to set your email account to accept emails from [email protected]. For further information on the process, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index. Please note: Evaluations are gathered anonymously. I will know of your participation for purposes of grading, but not your actual comments.

Grading Grades are assigned according to Catalog policy, with the assumption that work that satisfactorily meets the basic requirements of the assignment earns a grade of C (including graduate-level writing). I add points for work that distinguishes itself in terms of creativity, depth of analysis, and critical thinking. Therefore, getting an A- or B does not mean that you “lost points.” The entire range of grades (A-F) is used, and an A is not granted on the basis of points accumulated but on demonstrated evidence of experiential, theoretical, and theological integration. The course requirements will be weighted as follows:

Integrative Discussions 10 points (1 point for each weekly discussion)Weekly Reflections 14 points (2 points each)Spiritual Retreat Reflection 2 pointsFaith Tradition Reflection paper 16 pointsNouwen Reflection papers 15 points (5 points each)Spiritual Genogram Chart 9 pointsSpiritual genogram Analysis & Summary 32 pointsCourse evaluation 2 points Final Grade Breakdown: Letter Grade PercentageA 95-100%A- 91-94B+ 87-90B 83-86B- 80-82C+ 77-79C 73-76C- 70-72D+ 67-69D 63-66F 62% or less

https://exchange.its.bethel.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=cbe2e817d5fd49be8ab1aefc464ec6c0&URL=https%3a%2f%2fbethelnet.bethel.edu%2fureg%2fbssp%2feval_index
















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Submitting Work All assignments must be submitted via the link available on the “Assignments” tab in Moodle (or within the appropriate Moodle forum). Prior to submitting your work, please name the file as follows: lastname_firstname_project title. This will make clarification easier upon evaluation. Due Dates & Late Work Assignments are due in Moodle by 11:55pm CT on the last day of the Module in which they are assigned (with the exception of mid-week due dates specific to your initial forum posts, as detailed within the “General Weekly Schedule” section). Late work will not be accepted. Personal, family or ministry crises, extended illnesses or hardships of a more severe nature that are identified for me will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with respect to deadlines, late penalties, and alternatives. Incompletes will be given only in extreme circumstances that arise at the end of the quarter (in other words, a pileup of workload will not constitute a valid reason for an Incomplete) and only with a signed Incomplete contract from the Registrar’s Office. Academic Course Policies Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in the Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar’s website: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/















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Module 1 Activities Introduction; A look at spirituality Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Brown, Dahl, & Rueschling: All chapters○ Nouwen: pp. 1-29, Chapters 2, 3○ Spiritual practice links: Skim and selectively focus in order to choose your practice

for the course● Listen

○ "Whole & Holy" conversation (.mp3) with Dr. Jeannine Brown and Dr. Carla Dahl. Participate in the Module:

● Module 1 Forum Complete the Module:

● Schedule a time for your Spiritual Retreat to take place during the week of Module 10 (2.5 hours minimum)

● Consider scanning ahead to Module 4, and begin reviewing the requirements for the Genogram Chart. Depending on the size of your family and the information readily available, you may benefit from starting this assignment early.

● Consider starting a family journal. As advanced preparation for the final written assignment due in Module 10 (Genogram Analysis), I recommend that you begin to keep a personal journal throughout this course in which you note weekly observations about your own family that are sparked by the course materials and forum discussions. This is an optional activity that may be of benefit to you, but it will not be graded.

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Module 2 Activities Models of psychological, moral, and faith development Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Lindbloom: Prayerful Listening○ Chan: Chapters 3 - 4○ Friedman: Chapters 1 - 4

Participate in the Module:

● Module 2 Forum● Begin identified spiritual practice

Complete the Module:

● Module 2 Reflection● Nouwen Reflection Paper - Younger Son

Nouwen Reflection Paper - Younger Son Instructions Approximately 500 words. This is the first of three reflection papers for the course that come out of your reading, discussion, and pondering of Nouwen’s book and the parable. The topic of this paper should be on your experience of the younger (prodigal) son. Nouwen composes this work in a manner that encourages the reader to consider his or her own experience of the suggested roles, finding new areas of reflections, discovering new themes of pondering, and enlightening new places of relevance. Please offer your 500 words regarding those new aspects. In-depth reflection, personal application, and explicit connection to the readings will earn points for this paper. Total points possible: 5

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Module 3 Activities Contextual dynamics of formation: family of origin and other systems Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ George & McGrath: Intro, Chapters 1-3, Conclusion○ Chan: Chapter 1○ Nouwen: Chapter 4○ Friedman: Chapters 1 & 2 (Recommended)


● Module 3 Forum● Spiritual practice


● Module 3 Reflection

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Module 4 Activities Traditions of Christian faith Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Foster: All chapters, including appendices




● Module 4 Reflection● Spiritual Genogram Chart (Part I)

Spiritual Genogram Project Instructions Part I - Chart: Note: This project will be held in confidence. You will not be asked to share any of this information with the class. Your genogram chart will consist of at least three generational levels: you, your parents and their siblings, and your grandparents and their siblings. If you have children, they will form the fourth level of the genogram. As you develop your chart, include the following information for each person on the genogram. Feel free to use colors and/or symbols to represent information; just be sure to include a key to the meaning of the symbols. You may use "code names" for the persons on your chart in order to maintain anonymity:

1. Demographics: religious affiliation, if any; education; faith stream most/least valued; cultural/ethnic identification

2. Worldview: What themes/values do you think this person valued, emphasized, or was driven by most, either implicitly or explicitly?

3. Relational descriptors: Who were most “in sync” regarding spiritual experiences? For whom did they cause conflict and/or estrangement?

Please create your genogram chart using one of the following three options:

1. GenoPro (http://www.genopro.com/genogram) - GenoPro is a 3rd party software designed specifically to create a Genogram. After downloading and installing the software, follow the

http://www.genopro.com/genogram









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instructions found at http://www.genopro.com/registration/academic/ to register for your free 180-day academic trial. You’ll be required to enter my Referrer ID, “Gunderson”, to obtain your 180-day trial key. User tutorials are available on their website. You may export your project as a .gno file from GenoPro to submit for grading.

2. Microsoft Word - .doc or .docx file3. Saved or scanned .PDF or .JPG file. Information on the chart must be legible.

You do not necessarily need to keep the chart on one page, as long as the generational connections remain clear. That said, you may find it helpful to have everything in one place when it comes time to complete your analysis. Spiritual Genogram Project Evaluation Guide Reminder: You are not being graded on your faith journey for this assignment! You are being graded on your demonstration of the ability to analyze your family with conceptual sophistication and integrative reflection. I appreciate the risks that are involved in completing a project like this. Following are the evaluation categories as described in the syllabus. Part 1 - Chart: Required elements identified for all persons on chart:

1. Demographics (0/1/2/3)2. Worldview (0/1/2/3)3. Relational descriptors (0/1/2)4. Overall format: legible, comprehensive (0/1)

Total points possible: 9

http://www.genopro.com/registration/academic/












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Module 5 Activities Spiritual disciplines Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Lindbloom: Is that you, God?○ Chan: Chapters 7-9○ Nouwen: Chapters 5-6




● Module 5 Reflection● Nouwen Reflection Paper – Elder Son

Nouwen Reflection Paper - Elder Son Instructions Approximately 500 words. This is the second of three reflection papers for the course that come out of your reading, discussion, and pondering of Nouwen’s book and the parable. The topic of this paper should be on your experience of the elder son. Nouwen composes this work in a manner that encourages the reader to consider his or her own experience of the suggested roles, finding new areas of reflections, discovering new themes of pondering, and enlightening new places of relevance. Please offer your 500 words regarding those new aspects. In-depth reflection, personal application, and explicit connection to the readings will earn points for this paper. Total points possible: 5

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Module 6 Activities Contextual dynamics of formation: gender and sexuality Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Balswick & Balswick - Chapters 1 - 3




● Module 6 Reflection● Faith Tradition Reflection Paper

Faith Tradition Reflection Paper Instructions Maximum of 2500 words. In this paper, analyze your faith journey relative to the six historical Christian movements discussed by Foster in Streams of Living Water. (Full instructions within Module 6). Specifically address the following questions:

1. With which stream(s) do you find greatest resonance or “fit,” and why? With which do you find least resonance, and why?

2. What kinds of biblical or theological assumptions and integrative themes underlie your relationship to the various streams (please refer to specific biblical passages in thematic ways rather than “proof-texting”)?

3. What implications are there in these assumptions and your faith tradition journey for○ your understanding of call? (Include your definition of call)○ your sense of life mission? (Include your statement of mission)○ your goals for ministry?

Faith Tradition Reflection Paper Evaluation Guide

1. Resonance and fit (1/2/3)○ Greatest○ Least

2. Biblical and theological assumptions & Integrative themes (1/2/3)3. Implications for understanding of call (1/2/3)

○ Personal definition of call/vocation

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4. Implications for sense of life mission (1/2)○ Summary of personal mission statement

5. Implications for ministry (1/2)6. Overall (1/2/3)

○ Explicit conceptual links to course material○ Depth of analysis ○ Graduate-level writing, with accurate spelling and grammar

Total points possible: 16

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Module 7 Activities Contextual dynamics of formation: culture and socioeconomics Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Chan: Chapter 5○ Conde-Frazier et. al: Chapters 1-4, 8○ George & McGrath: Chapters 5 & 11○ Conde-Frazier et. al: Ch. 5-7 (Recommended)




● If you haven't already done so, schedule a time for your Spiritual Retreat to take place during the week of Module 10 (2.5 hours minimum)

● Module 7 Reflection

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Module 8 Activities Emotional and social intelligence; conflict and power

Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Nouwen: Chapters 7-9, epilogue○ Friedman: Chapters 5-8




● Module 8 Reflection● Nouwen Reflection Paper – Welcoming Father

Nouwen Reflection Paper - Welcoming Father Instructions Approximately 500 words. This is the final of three reflection papers for the course that come out of your reading, discussion, and pondering of Nouwen’s book and the parable. The topic of this paper should be on your experience of the welcoming father. Nouwen composes this work in a manner that encourages the reader to consider his or her own experience of the suggested roles, finding new areas of reflections, discovering new themes of pondering, and enlightening new places of relevance. Please offer your 500 words regarding those new aspects. In-depth reflection, personal application, and explicit connection to the readings will earn points for this paper. Total points possible: 5

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Module 9 Activities Influence, application, and daily living: Overview Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Chan: Chapter 10




● Work on Spiritual Genogram Analysis & Executive Summary assignment (see directions in Module 10)

● Finalize plans for Spiritual Retreat during the week of Module 10 (2.5 hours minimum)

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Module 10 Activities Closure and Retreat Prepare for the Module:

● Read○ Re-read or skim readings that have tugged at you during the course


● Module 10 Forum● Spiritual Retreat (2.5 hours minimum)


● Spiritual Genogram Analysis & Executive Summary (Parts II & III)● Spiritual Retreat Reflection● Course Evaluation

Spiritual Genogram Project Instructions: Part II: Analysis Note: You are not being graded on your family for this assignment, nor are we looking for information to disqualify you from entering the ministry or any other helping profession. You are being graded on your demonstration of the ability to reflect on your own spiritual and personal formation with conceptual and integrative sophistication. Be concise and focused; avoid summarizing the genogram chart, giving a family history, or telling stories. Use course concepts and work for depth of analysis (pushing yourself to say "why" rather than merely report "what"; considering alternative interpretations; constructing relationships among concepts, even if those are tentative). As you reflect on your chart and the experience of constructing it, discuss the following. Use the categories as described (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.):

1. What external influences (people, experiences, circumstances) has God used to shape your spiritual and personal formation, and how have they been influential? What internal influences (beliefs, temperament, worldview) has God used, and how?

2. In what ways has culture influenced your formation journey?3. How has your experience as a male or female influenced your formation journey

(specifically addressing social expectations of gender, theological assumptions, awareness of intimacy needs, etc.)?

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4. Identify two or three biblical themes that have characterized your own formation journey. In particular, have any of these themes changed over time? What themes are most meaningful for you now?

5. Discuss how your formation journey does or might influence your ministry, both positively and negatively.

6. As you listen to God’s invitations, what are one or two “next steps” in your formation? What specific strategies might you use to support those next steps, and what specific resources could you enlist?

Part III: Executive Summary Develop a 500-word summary of the analysis according to the following headings. Use bullet points rather than paragraph format.

● External influencers● Internal influencers● Culture● Gender and sexuality● Biblical themes● Implications for ministry (positive and negative)● Next formation step(s)

Spiritual Genogram Project Evaluation Guide Analysis & Summary - Parts II & III

1. External and internal influences (1/2/3/4/5)a. Both external and internal discussedb. Conceptual analysis of influences

2. Culture (1/2/3/4/5)

3. Gender and sexuality (1/2/3/4/5)

a. Social expectationsb. Theological assumptions c. Intimacy

4. Biblical themes (1/2/3/4/5)

a. Two or three identifiedb. Changes over time discussedc. Current meaningful themes

5. Influences of formation journey on ministry (1/2/3/4)

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a. Both positive and negative aspects identified

6. Next steps (1/2/3/4)a. Identification of next steps (vs. global goals)b. Both strategies and resources identified

7. Overall analysis (1/2/3/4)

a. Explicit conceptual links to course materialb. Depth of analysis c. Graduate-level writing, with accurate spelling and grammard. Executive summary included, with required elements

Total points possible: 32 Spiritual Retreat Reflection For this reflection process, I am looking for BRIEF interaction with the following comments and questions. Please add your responses within the framework below:

1. Briefly describe the process you worked through to arrange for your retreat (scheduling time into your life, place of retreat, process you settled into, etc.).

2. Share a basic outline you eased into for your retreat (how you spend your time in retreat).3. How difficult was it for you to build this into your life/ministry?4. How would you describe your attitude/perspective heading into the retreat?5. How would you describe your attitude/perspective following the retreat?6. Is there something that happened as a part of your retreat that you consider meaningful?

What was that? (share as you feel comfortable--only I will see this information)7. How does your retreat experience impact how you will share with others re: the value of

personal retreat time and the process? Blessings as you spend time with God! Total points possible: 2

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