A course integrating fundamental Christian doctrine with personal experience in the journey toward wholeness in Christ emphasizing scripture, discipline, and community as essential Wesleyan patterns of devotion.

The following intended learning outcomes will be achieved by this course:

1. The development of a portfolio for assessing personal growth in character. This portfolio will include periodic self-assessment and assessment by significant others. These assessments will evaluate the minister with the "BE" categories. (Character)
2. Understand the nature of spiritual formation - what it is and how it happens.
3. Understand fundamental truths from Scripture about God, man, and salvation.
4. Identify and explore classical and individual spiritual disciplines which can be used to express our faith, receive God's grace, and transform us into the image of Christ.
5. Explore Wesleyan paradigms and practices of devotional living, particularly the instituted and prudential means of grace.
6. Examine the corporate and social dimensions of holistic spiritual formation - the impact on others within and beyond the body of Christ.
7. Identify cultural attitudes and norms that inhibit spiritual formation.
8. Develop the discipline of spiritual journaling and discover patterns that are most appropriate for one's unique personality and growth.
9. Engage in intentional nurture of individual spiritual growth.

The following are Competencies for Ministry as outlined in the Sourcebook on Ordination USA that will be addressed in this course:

Spiritual Formation

CH4 Ability to pursue holy character (Christlikeness) by practicing faith formation and the classic Christian disciplines as means of grace.

CH5 Ability to locate, understand, and use resources for individual and corporate spiritual formation.

Person of the Minister

CH6 Ability to articulate his or her call from God to ministry as affirmed by the Church.

CH7 Ability to demonstrate a realistic self-understanding including personal strengths, gifts, weaknesses, and areas of needed growth.

CH8 Ability to practice holistic stewardship (mutual submission in gender relationships, sexual purity, marriage and family, personal finance, professional conduct, practicing Sabbath, etc.).

There are no prerequisites for this course.