Spiritual Accompaniment with Children is for spiritual directors and those who feel called to a listening ministry with children. Students who are interested in this course will have noticed a lifelong interest in the spiritual lives of children and in the ministry of spiritual accompaniment. This class will consist of learning through reading and discussion and learning through practicum sessions with children. Those interested are required to complete an essay and an interview with the instructor before admittance. Please note there is a $25 application fee.
Cost: $550. Course fee includes supervision sessions. Scholarships are available.
Course Description: Spiritual Accompaniment with Children is designed to form adults into listening companions for children. Through readings and experiences, adults will learn about the unique aspects of a child’s life with God and how to come alongside and support. Adults will gain information and insights around children’s spiritual formation and how meeting the child where they are with acceptance and encouragement opens the child to resiliency and a lifelong relationship with the Divine. This is a practicum course therefore participants will be meeting with children and bringing those sessions to supervision conversations.
Cost: $550. Course fee includes supervision sessions. Scholarships are available.
Course Description: Spiritual Accompaniment with Children is designed to form adults into listening companions for children. Through readings and experiences, adults will learn about the unique aspects of a child’s life with God and how to come alongside and support. Adults will gain information and insights around children’s spiritual formation and how meeting the child where they are with acceptance and encouragement opens the child to resiliency and a lifelong relationship with the Divine. This is a practicum course therefore participants will be meeting with children and bringing those sessions to supervision conversations.
Write your awesome label here.
Through this course, you will...
Learn the four elements of children's spiritual formation.
Explore and understand the various dimensions of the person and how that impacts the spiritual lives of children.
Grow in skills and posture to be a listening presence for children.
Explore and reflect upon your own childhood experiences of God in the presence of a trained spiritual director.
Engage in intentional child-like spiritual practices that are natural to children.
Describe, practice and implement the distinctive elements in the practice of listening with children.
Develop and practice spiritual direction skills that meet children where they are.
Notice moments of transcendence and the Spirit's invitation in the life of a child.
Requirements for Spiritual Direction
with Children Certificate
Your Guide
Terra McDaniel
Terra is a spiritual director, writer, teacher, and supervisor who loves making space for people of all ages to tune into the holy and their own souls. She is the author of Hopeful Lament: Tending Our Grief Through Spiritual Practices a fall 2023 IVP release. She received an MDiv with a concentration in spiritual formation from Portland Seminary. Terra and her husband live in Austin, Texas with their rescue dogs Edie and Albert. She’s thankful her daughter, son-in-law, and twin grandchildren are only a ten minute drive away. You can find her online at terramcdaniel.com.
Copyright © 2025