Webinar Recordings

All of our webinar offerings are free, for the purpose of introducing various relevant spiritual formation and soul care topics. For more in-depth spiritual learning or for facilitated online soul care retreats, consider registering for one of our workshops or soul care retreats offered throughout the year.

Available free webinar recordings include:

Unique Leadership Challenges in Spiritual Formation

Recorded July 11, 2024

In this webinar, Steve Macchia (founder and president of LTI) is joined by several of LTI’s Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership faculty to offer encouraging wisdom surrounding some of the most common challenges in spiritual leadership. Topics of discussion include panel conversation around how to:

  • Create spiritual community in an age of individualism
  • Experience rhythms of rest and renewal in a hustle culture
  • Offer attentive presence in an age of distraction
  • Live at the pace of Jesus in a tech-driven world
  • Address misperceptions and misunderstandings (i.e. fear, skepticism) around spiritual formation practice

HOST & PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Steve Macchia
Jeremy Stefano
Gail Edmonson
Sanda Tomuletiu

Books Referenced in the Webinar:

Additional Resources and Opportunities:

If you would like to learn more about spiritual formation, we invite you to consider the following opportunities and resources:

  • Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership – (now accepting applications for Fall 2024) a 2-year online certificate program in Formational Leadership, where together in community, you are equipped for personal spiritual growth and renewal and to care for the souls of others with a listening posture in your leadership contexts.
  • Abide Certificate in Spiritual Formation – (now accepting applications for Fall 2024) a 10-month online certificate program in Spiritual Formation, where through readings, teachings, conversations with authors, group discussions and communal prayer, you explore 10 spiritual formation topics oriented towards personal spiritual growth in Christ-likeness.
  • The Discerning Leader Podcast – a weekly podcast hosted by Steve Macchia for those interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.
  • Online Workshops and Soul Care Retreats – We invite you to join any of our online workshops and retreats to aid you in your spiritual journey and to offer you space for the care and nurture of your soul.
  • PATHWAYS – Sign up for LTI’s weekly newsletter containing resources, soul-enriching content,
    and practical training for your spiritual journey.

An Introduction to Spiritual Discernment: Practicing a Preference for God

Recorded April 25, 2023

Spiritual discernment is often equated with good decision-making, but within a Christian context. In this webinar we will expand the definition of spiritual discernment by beginning with “discerning God” as Creator, redeemer, and sustainer of our lives. What does it mean to “practice a preference for God” in all aspects of our life and service to others? It begins with noticing God, acknowledging his presence, power, and peace. In this webinar we will explore the topic of spiritual discernment from a biblical, personal, and practical perspective. Join us for this enlightening conversation.

HOST & PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Steve Macchia
Mark Buchanan
Mark Buchanan

Notes from the Webinar:

Additional Resources and Opportunities:

If you would like to learn more about spiritual formation, we invite you to consider the following opportunities and resources:

  • The Discerning Life (A Spiritual Formation Workshop)– On June 9th, 2023, Steve will be hosting a 2 hour workshop on spiritual discernment based on his book, The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, as a follow-up to this webinar.
  • Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership – a 2-year online certificate program in Formational Leadership, where together in community, you are equipped for personal spiritual growth and renewal and to care for the souls of others with a listening posture in your leadership contexts.
  • Abide Certificate in Spiritual Formation –  a 10-month online certificate program in Spiritual Formation, where through readings, teachings, conversations with authors, group discussions and communal prayer, you explore 10 spiritual formation topics oriented towards personal spiritual growth in Christ-likeness.
  • The Discerning Leader Podcast – a weekly podcast hosted by Steve Macchia for those interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.
  • Online Workshops and Soul Care Retreats – We invite you to join any of our online workshops and retreats to aid you in your spiritual journey and to offer you space for the care and nurture of your soul.
  • PATHWAYS – Sign up for LTI’s weekly newsletter containing resources, soul-enriching content,
    and practical training for your spiritual journey.

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation: What's the Difference?

Recorded June 23, 2022

From Christian education, to discipleship, to spiritual formation; mentoring, teaching, or guiding. Our terminologies have changed, but has anything else morphed? Join us as we unlock the nomenclature for what’s been often described as “making disciples,” or was it “building disciples” or “creating disciples”? Let’s explore what’s in common and what distinguishes one from another. Hopefully we can gain some clarity together!

HOST & PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Steve Macchia
Jeremy Stefano
Susan Currie

Definitions of Discipleship & Spiritual Formation mentioned in the webinar:

“A healthy disciple…experiences God’s empowering presence; engages in God-exalting worship; practices the spiritual disciplines; learns and grows in community; commits to loving and caring relationships; exhibits Christlike servanthood; shares the love of God generously; manages life wisely and accountably; unites with the Body of Christ; and stewards a life of abundance.” –Stephen Macchia in Becoming A Healthy Disciple, pp.18-19; 22-23

“A disciple of Jesus is a person who has decided to live in attentiveness to Jesus.” –Margaret Campbell

“ True discipleship is about a lifestyle, not simply about stored up Bible knowledge. Discipleship is about being and reproducing zealots for Christ. Discipleship, in other words, is about passionately pursuing the lifestyle and mission of Jesus Christ.” –George Barna

“A disciple is one who responds in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ. Being a disciple is a lifelong process of dying to self while allowing Jesus Christ to come alive in us.” – Greg Ogden

Robert Coleman’s Master Plan of Evangelism – Jesus with his disciples: Selection; Association; Consecration; Impartation; Demonstration; Delegation; Supervision; Reproduction

“Christian spiritual formation is the process of being shaped by the Spirit into the likeness of Christ, filled with love for God and the world.” – Renovare’s  A Call to Spiritual Formation (San Antonio 2009 statement)

“‘Spiritual formation’ refers to the process of shaping our spirit and giving it a definite character . . . Spiritual formation in Christ is the process whereby the inmost being of the individual (the heart, will, or spirit) take on the quality or character of Jesus Himself.” – Dallas Willard in The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship (San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006), p. 53

“Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.” – Dallas Willard in Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ

“Spiritual formation is a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others”  – M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. in Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 12

“Spiritual formation is a loving relationship with God that shapes our being rather than a technique or method or program for self improvement.” – M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. in Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation

“Spiritual formation is the life-long, faith-filled process…of the Holy Spirit transforming…the whole person…into the likeness of Christ…to the glory of the Father…as informed by the whole word of God…in relationship with the whole people of God…to fulfill the whole mission of God.”– Dave Currie (GCTS Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program)

“Christian spiritual formation is the lifelong journey of being transformed by the love of the Father, into the image of Jesus, by the gracious movement of the Holy Spirit, in order to live an abundant life of trust, rest, hope, and joy, accompanied by suffering and sorrow, for the sake of God’s Kingdom and glory, and the fulfillment of his mission of grace, justice, peace, and mercy for all.” – Stephen A. Macchia in The Discerning Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2022), p. 127

Additional Resources and Opportunities:

If you would like to learn more about spiritual formation, we invite you to consider the following opportunities and resources:

  • Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership – a 2-year online certificate program in Formational Leadership, where together in community, you are equipped for personal spiritual growth and renewal and to care for the souls of others with a listening posture in your leadership contexts. 
  • Abide Certificate in Spiritual Formation – a 10-month online certificate program in Spiritual Formation, where through readings, teachings, conversations with authors, group discussions and communal prayer, you explore 10 spiritual formation topics oriented towards personal spiritual growth in Christ-likeness.  
  • The Discerning Leader Podcast – a weekly podcast hosted by Steve Macchia for those interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.
  • Online Workshops and Soul Care Retreats – We invite you to join any of our online workshops and retreats to aid you in your spiritual journey and to offer you space for the care and nurture of your soul. 
  • PATHWAYS – Sign up for LTI’s weekly newsletter containing resources, soul-enriching content,
    and practical training for your spiritual journey.

Servant, Steward, Shepherd: Learning to Lead Like Jesus

Recorded June 16, 2022

What does it mean to be a leader? Strong? Decisive? Determined? Visionary? These are good qualities but they don’t tell the whole story. Particularly in the realm of Spiritual Leadership, more is needed to be the kind of leader who cares about the spiritual growth of others, who sees people and listens to them, who raises others up, who leads by serving and empowers others to do the same.

HOST & PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Steve Macchia
Jeremy Stefano
Gayle Heaslip
Gayle Heaslip

Additional Resources and Opportunities:

If you would like to learn more about spiritual leadership, we invite you to consider the following opportunities and resources:

  • Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership – a 2-year online certificate program in Formational Leadership, where together in community, you are equipped for personal spiritual growth and renewal and to care for the souls of others with a listening posture in your leadership contexts. 
  • Abide Certificate in Spiritual Formation – a 10-month online certificate program in Spiritual Formation, where through readings, teachings, conversations with authors, group discussions and communal prayer, you explore 10 spiritual formation topics oriented towards personal spiritual growth in Christ-likeness.  
  • The Discerning Leader Podcast – a weekly podcast hosted by Steve Macchia for those interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.
  • Online Workshops and Soul Care Retreats – We invite you to join any of our online workshops and retreats to aid you in your spiritual journey and to offer you space for the care and nurture of your soul. 
  • PATHWAYS – Sign up for LTI’s weekly newsletter containing resources, soul-enriching content,
    and practical training for your spiritual journey.

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

“My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.”

Detailed Biography
Articles by Stephen Macchia
Author Website
Schedule a one-on-one with Steve

Jeremy Stefano

Director of Emmaus, Director of Abide, & Minister of Spiritual Formation

Jeremy offers spiritual direction, leads retreats, teaches on spiritual formation topics and serves as the director of Emmaus, a Certificate Program in Formational Leadership, and Abide, a Certificate Program in Spiritual Formation. He also works with students of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building. The heartbeat of Jeremy’s calling is to encourage Christian leaders in the cultivation of their relationship with God. He has served various churches as pastor and interim pastor. He and Bethany, his wife of 35 years, have been blessed with eight children and five grandchildren. They make their home in Massachusetts. He has a Licentiate in Theology from the Cape Town Baptist Seminary in South Africa, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College in Canada and a D.Min. in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary in Portland, OR. “Friendships have been a source of grace in my life. It is a gift to serve in LTI alongside those who value the priority of rich and enduring relationships with each other.”

Articles by Jeremy Stefano

Gail Edmonson

Emmaus Faculty & Abide Faculty

Gail Edmonson has a deep longing to create space for people to feel safe – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. After serving for 18 years on her church staff in various positions including Director of Leadership Development and Director of Spiritual Formation, she entered private practice as a spiritual director. She delights in offering spiritual direction for individuals and groups, giving leadership to monthly gatherings for spiritual practices, and facilitating soul care retreats. Gail holds a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design from Baylor University. She received spiritual direction training through Leadership Transformations’ Selah Certificate Program as well as certification in spiritual formation leadership through Leadership Transformations’ Emmaus program. Additionally, Gail holds a certification in Death, Dying, and Grief from Tyndale Spiritual Formation Centre.

Gail and her husband live in Katy, Texas. They have three adult children and seven growing grandchildren.

“I am deeply passionate about the ministry of LTI because of the ways the Lord has used both Emmaus and Selah in my spiritual formation. Therefore, my gratitude for LTI and its leadership runs deep. It is an honor to serve alongside these grace-filled men and women.“

Sanda Tomuletiu

Emmaus Faculty

Sanda is from Romania and she currently lives in her hometown, Sibiu. She has a Ph.D. in communication from Duquesne University (U.S.) and is a graduate of LTI’s Emmaus program. Her interest in spiritual formation, discovered while teaching at Wheaton College, deepened after she moved to Lithuania to provide leadership for the new communication major at LCC International University, a Christian university serving students from the former Soviet Union. Since her return to Romania, Sanda’s heart has been with the local church, where she provides teaching and spiritual companionship to women. Her desire to be better equipped for accompanying others in their walk with God led her to pursue training in spiritual direction with LTI’s Selah program in Europe. Books and dogs are Sanda’s faithful companions, gardens and forests – her life-giving spaces, while deep friendships and conversations are her soul food. “Finding LTI’s Emmaus program was like finding home. The spiritual discipline of holy restraint, of again and again returning to Silence in order to notice the Spirit’s movement, has entered my life for good.”

Mark Buchanan

Mark Buchanan

Abide Guest Speaker

Mark and his wife Cheryl live in Cochrane, Alberta. He is associate professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose Seminary. They have three adult children. Mark is a pastor, teacher, and speaker. He enjoys scuba diving, fishing, and motorcycles. He is the author of ten books, including most recently the novel David: Rise (Book One of trilogy on the life of King David), and God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul.

Full bio at markbuchanan.net

Susan Porterfield Currie

Director of Selah, Abide Faculty, & Minister of Spiritual Formation

Susan is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (DMin in Spiritual Formation; MATS), CFDM Pacific Northwest Certificate Program in Spiritual Guidance, and Bryn Mawr College (MA, English Lit). She has served in church and parachurch settings for the past several decades, focusing on spiritual formation ministries, retreat leadership, and spiritual direction, and along with her husband Dave serves as affiliated clergy in the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope, offering support to area clergy and to the Anglican Formation Track at Gordon-Conwell. Susan and Dave are the parents of three adult children – all grace! – and enjoy home hospitality to extended family as well as guests that come their way. In Sabbath moments Susan will be found outdoors – sitting, hiking, kayaking, immersing herself in the beauty of creation – or indoors, tea and scones at her side, immersing herself in the beauty of good words. “LTI has been my ministry home for nearly 20 years, where with amazing colleagues I delight in creating and nurturing spacious, reflective presence to God. Glory!“

Articles by Susan Currie

Gayle Heaslip

Gayle Heaslip

Spiritual Formation Associate, Abide Faculty, & Selah-East Faculty

Gayle Heaslip has a degree in counseling from Gordon-Conwell Seminary and having completed Selah’s spiritual direction training program, she is drawn to walk alongside others as they grow into the fullness of life the Lord supplies through both trials and triumphs. In addition to working with LTI and offering spiritual direction to individuals and groups, she is a priest in the Anglican Church of North America, serving a missional fellowship in Falmouth. Gayle delights in the ever-changing beauty of Cape Cod where she lives with her husband and close to their three grown children and eight grandchildren. Good books and conversation, hiking, writing and photography, and time alone to ponder are God’s gracious gifts to her. “I have been deeply formed over many years through LTI within its listening, companioning community, and I’m honored to walk with others in the Emmaus and Selah programs as we become more attentive and responsive to God’s presence.”

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

“Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.“