Emmaus Certificate in Formational Leadership

Formational Leadership is the term we use to identify a way of leading that actively seeks to instill in God’s people the maturity in Christ that God intends for us.

A formational leader is a person who is participating in the ongoing work of becoming conformed to the image of Christ and leads others in how to do the same. Accomplishing this takes more than teaching biblical principles or getting people to sign up for another program. Formational Leadership involves accompanying people in the process of being spiritually formed in and by the Holy Spirit. It requires a way of being present and attentively attuned to the actual work of God in the soul, and learning to cooperate in that work as it is taking place in real time.

Listening (rather than telling) is the primary leadership posture; discernment (rather than taking charge) is the dynamic in the leader’s role. The fruit of this disciplined and mature leadership presence is the formation of persons and communities of grace, humility, compassion who increasingly yearn after God and hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are people who are open-handed and open-hearted, who are in possession of a capacity for unity amidst diversity, for mercy in judgment, for tenderness with the weary. They are learning to abide in Christ, to walk by the Spirit, to love God with all their heart, mind and soul, and to love their neighbors as themselves.

• A listening community of sacred companions
• State of soul sharing that serves as our re-introduction to one another each retreat
• Scripture, prayer and reflective disciplines 
• Developing a personal Rule of Life as a foundation for discipleship that is empowered by the Holy Spirit
• Worship times as a community
• Spacious times of silence and solitude for prayer, Scripture reading, personal reflection, a walk in the woods or perhaps a nap
• Spiritual direction opportunities
• Teaching on spiritual formation and leadership topics relevant to the retreat theme

• Contemplative practices to deepen and enrich your soul
• Community listening to enhance listening skills and an awareness of your true self in Christ
• Collegial learning that will impact your leadership perspectives

• Confidence as a spiritual leader, following the example of Jesus
• Courage to lead as a change agent, practicing ways to humbly and graciously serve others in transformations of their own
• Conviction to lead as a discernment-based decision-maker

• Hospitality and facilitation for six retreats over a two-year period
• Training, teaching, worship times, practical resources, and a contemplative community in which you will be equipped to grow in formational leadership
• Mentoring and spiritual companionship between each retreat as you explore ways to apply what you’re learning in your ministry setting

Emmaus offers a robust non-degree continuing education opportunity for pastors, chaplains, ministry leaders and all those in vocational ministry settings. Participants will receive encouragement in their personal and spiritual growth, leadership development, instruction in spiritual formation and soul care, as well as experiential training in skills related to listening and discernment, decision making and companioning others. Each participant will be required to create a Ministry Application Plan (MAP) which involves exploring tangible ways of bringing the benefits of the Emmaus program into their own ministry settings.