The Institute for Spiritual Formation (ISF) is dedicated to deepening the experience of the New Covenant life in the Spirit. It operates on the basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Whether you’re called to be a pastor, spiritual director, therapist or simply seek a deeper life in Christ, ISF offers a trusted path of spiritual formation. At the Institute for Spiritual Formation (ISF), we believe spiritual formation is not a self-improvement project, but the Spirit’s work of transformation into the likeness of Christ.
In a culture of hurry, striving and distraction, ISF invites you into a deeper way - a way of abiding in Jesus through grace, community and life in the presence of God. Slow down. Abide.
What is the Institute for Spiritual Formation?
The Institute for Spiritual Formation (ISF) is an interdisciplinary endeavor emerging from Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology. It services various training and mentoring needs in spiritual formation at Biola University and the community beyond through student/faculty training and spiritual direction, the development of academic programs and the development of lay-church training.
Its central aim is to integrate an in-depth integrative theology of spiritual formation with an understanding of the human and divine processes and dynamics involved in spiritual growth, soul care and mentoring in the church. Its ministries focus on ways to deepen believers' knowledge and openness to God and His work as well as an understanding of one's self and others in order to grow toward conformity of character and inner life in the image of Christ.
Read also: Psychic Readings: Boulder Institute
Thus, ISF attempts to train a generation of servants who are equipped both to understand and participate in the process of spiritual growth from a theological, integrative and experiential perspective, within the context of a developing mentoring community, with the end that students are better equipped to help others in the church in this process.
Programs and Offerings
The Institute for Spiritual Formation offers a variety of programs and opportunities for individuals seeking spiritual growth:
- Offering the M.Div. Spiritual Formation concentration.
- Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care.
- M.A. Spiritual Formation concentration.
- Certificate in Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology.
As a center for training M.Div. and M.A., ISF provides opportunities for freshmen in the undergraduate "Spiritual Formation and the Bible" course to receive an introduction to spiritual mentoring at a more personal level with ISF M.A.
ISF plays a role in the spiritual formation core for Talbot students and also offers specific programs, including a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Spiritual Formation concentrations for the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity programs, Doctor of Ministry track in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as well as a Certificate in Spiritual Formation.
Interested in studying spiritual formation, but not ready to commit to a degree? The Journey is ISF’s accessible formation pathway - a one-year, non-academic certificate program for individuals, churches and small groups.
Read also: Understanding anemia spiritually
The Journey of Spiritual Formation
Experiential and Practical Aspects
As part of the experiential and practical nature of the academic programs, students are required to fulfill some co-curricular requirements. These may include spiritual direction, didactic therapy, a faculty-student retreat, personal retreats, a preliminary oral interview, an intensive journey inward retreat, and a thesis.
Personal Spiritual Direction
As those being trained to lead the church in spiritual formation and soul care, it is vital for all ISF students to experience spiritual direction themselves. It is required of all ISF M.A., M.Div. Spiritual Formation Concentration, MFT, and Certificate students for approximately 10 sessions per calendar year.
Didactic Therapy
This requirement is intended to introduce the student to the work and world of Christian psychotherapy as well as enhance the student's understanding and experience of the psychological dynamics and defenses at work in himself and in those with whom he shall work.
Each master’s-level ISF student is required to experience a minimal number of hours in personal didactic psychotherapy concurrent with enrollment with a clinical therapist approved by the faculty.
Faculty-Student Retreat
Each Spring all students who were enrolled in SF 543 (Personal Foundations of Spirituality) the previous Fall semester are required to attend a 24-hour overnight retreat with the ISF Faculty and Staff. The retreat generally goes from a Sunday noon to Monday noon.
Read also: Light Blue: Calmness and Healing
Personal Retreat
All students in the ISF program are required to go on one 48 hour retreat each semester for the purpose of cultivating the inner life before God (a total of at least four 48-hour retreats).
M.A. Soul Care & M.Div. M.A. Concentration and Certificate students will enroll in 4 credits of SF 672 Personal Retreat in their last semester, with the entire workload consisting of approximately 180 hours, which includes the four weekend retreats (counts for 120 hours), and 60 additional hours, which may include design and five page write-ups of each retreat, class-time, coursework, and additional personal retreats.
Intensive Journey Inward Retreat
Required only of students in the M.Div. and M.A. in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care programs.
Due to the nature of soul work involved in spiritual direction and in harmony with its tradition, each student is required to have a total of three weeks of extended retreat in isolation or partial isolation (which will be defined in each student's POI process) to explore and cultivate the inner life in the presence of God under the supervision of a spiritual guide (as designated or permitted by the faculty) and one's advisor.
Spiritual Formation Master’s Project-Thesis
Required of students with a concentration in Spiritual Formation only. Students are required to complete a Master's Project-Thesis in the area of spiritual formation, spiritual direction or mentoring (concurrent with enrollment in SF 740 which includes 3 credits for writing and one unit for personal growth exploration).
Additional Institutes and Programs
Besides the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University, several other institutions offer programs focused on spiritual formation:
- The Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation: This is a live, online, interactive program that draws Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ through mystagogically oriented spiritual education and formation focused on the faithful, mystical and ascetical patrimony of the Catholic Church.
- The Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation: This is a two-year online and in-person school designed to plunge you into life in the Kingdom of the heavens. Over the course of two years, students are guided in daily online studies, practice a variety of spiritual disciplines, develop a spiritual community with a small group of co-learners, and experience four week-long learning residencies in a retreat setting.
- The North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation (NCISDF): The 2-year spiritual direction certificate program offered by the NCISDF equips individuals called to the ministry of Christian spiritual direction.
- The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation: Since 1973, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation has fostered contemplative living and leadership by caring for the spiritual heart in prayer and by offering ways of opening into the life of the Spirit through their programs and other resources.
Values and Vision
Different institutes share common values and visions:
- Recognition that contemplative living and leadership require spiritual support.
- Awareness that God is intimately present within us and among us.
- Desire for spiritual discernment in all things.
As disciples of Jesus, they are committed to gracious soul hospitality and to the development of “Beloved Community”- a place where all are welcome to wrestle with faith and dare greatly on their journey of human becoming and spiritual transformation. They take seriously the commandment of Jesus to love one another as he first loved us. As such, they are committed to fostering an environment that offers humble listening, non-judgmental conversations, and compassionate engagement. They celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in loving community.
Believing that God is at work in our lives at all times, spiritual direction is the opportunity to meet regularly with a trained spiritual director to talk about how you see and experience God. In each session, you will explore how God is active in your life and what God is saying to you. Spiritual Direction is also an opportunity to grow in discernment as you seek to distinguish God’s voice from many other influences. Spiritual Direction is a relationship that is safe, confidential and free from judgement.
Student Testimonials
Here are some testimonials from students who have experienced the benefits of spiritual formation programs:
- Ki Choi (M.A. Spiritual Formation): "I love the community at Biola, particularly the ISF community, who have been an integral part of my seminary experience in growing in godliness and transparency. Additionally, the professors at Biola have been pivotal in my journey of faith, as they have imparted such deep wisdom and love to me in my formative years in ministry!"
- Cesar Castillo (M.A.): "What I most value about Biola is its commitment to education through Jesus-centered formation. It is a place, foremost of education but also a place of healing through its Christ-centered view that we are of first importance children of God."
These testimonials highlight the transformative impact of spiritual formation programs on individuals seeking a deeper connection with God and a more fulfilling life.