This study explores how graduate theology students experience and reshape their spiritual practices through "deconstruction," particularly in relation to embodiment, nature, activism, and syncretism, across four types of theological schools. It finds that while institutions often respond ambivalently, the spirituality of deconstruction can simultaneously challenge and revitalize religious institutions amid broader institutional decline. Read more

This article describes a preliminary and exploratory longitudinal study examining the spiritual formation practices of graduate theology students as they move through their program of study. It uses the relational spirituality model as a theoretical framework to measure connection with God, spiritual dwelling, and spiritual seeking/questing. Read more

Religious/spiritual commitment tends to show positive associations with wellbeing, and yet, questions remain about the mechanisms for the association. Some have recently proposed that virtues may mediate the religious/spiritual commitment – wellbeing association. However, empirical support for this mediating role stems largely from cross-sectional studies. Further, scholars have increasingly drawn attention to validity concerns when studying religiousness/spirituality, virtues, and wellbeing. Read more

In theological education, spiritual formation is regarded as an indispensable aspect of nurturing future church pastors and leaders. However, as of now, the literature discussing the theoretical concepts and practical models of spiritual formation remains limited. There are variations in the understanding and implementation of spiritual formation among different theological institutions, and disagreements exist even among leaders within the same institution. Read more

Prior research on the religiousness/spirituality—well-being association has largely neglected the dimension of religious/spiritual exploration, and the recent trend examining virtues, religiousness/spirituality, and well-being has predominantly involved cross-sectional data. We expanded prior research by analyzing a longitudinal model consisting of three waves of data… Read more

Financial stress is a growing concern for Americans. One population that is particularly susceptible to financial stress and its negative consequences are students enrolled in seminaries—many of whom will graduate with large amounts of debt while entering a profession with unique financial challenges that can make repaying student loan debt a daunting task. Read more

Qǝne (ቅኔ) is extemporaneous spiritual poetry composed in the context of Christian worship and social events, inspired by both Scripture and Tradition. It represents a unique, living heritage of the Täwaḥǝdo (ተዋሕዶ) Christian tradition. Watch trailer

The experience of pursuing a graduate seminary education is rife with many stressors, including the heavy financial burden required to fund a seminary degree. Shame, understood as an experience of being unworthy and inadequate at one’s core, may be a natural reaction to financial hardship, as many individuals may believe their inadequacy is the cause of their financial difficulties. Read more.

In recent decades, theological schools have demonstrated increased interest in educational models that not only transmit knowledge and skill to students, but also prepare them to have the character and virtue dispositions needed to successfully navigate the moral challenges that await them in future ministry settings. Read more

Spiritual and ethical formation are a central responsibility of institutions of theological education, and it matters how well these institutions carry out this core task. Yet formation and the measurement of formation face an array of both theological and practical challenges. The present essay surveys these challenges and responses that have been developed to date. Read more

Religious leaders shape values related to social order and social justice, prompting theological education to better prepare students for a diverse and unequal world. While right-wing authoritarianism is linked to prejudice and resistance to social change, little research has explored its relationship to social justice commitment and compassion. Read more

There is growing empirical research that sheds light on healthy spiritual formation capacities among seminary faculty and students committed to diversity and justice. We believe this research offers new angles and strategies within theological education for integrating diversity and justice with growth in spiritual formation for both students and faculty. Faith leaders can help their communities constructively engage diversity and social justice, and this involves key aspects of their own spiritual formation. Read more.

This essay explores how to engage the complex challenges surrounding Asian Christian spiritualities by presenting seven interconnected meditations rooted in the diasporic experience. It emphasizes a transformative, transcultural approach that weaves together personal, historical, political, and theological dimensions to envision more truthful and embodied spiritual practices. Read more

Theological schools are well situated to create intentional cultures for the purpose of spiritual formation. Indeed, most schools of theology have this goal as an essential part of their mission as well as a requirement for continued accreditation. And yet, the measurement of spiritual formation over time is fraught with challenges. Read more

Existing research on sense of community in educational contexts shows positive associations with well-being and negative associations with mental health symptoms. However, exploration of students’ sense of community within the seminary context is minimal. Drawing on the relational spirituality model, which posits oscillating experiences of dwelling and seeking in a dialectical growth process, we framed sense of community as horizontal dwelling. Read more

This study examined how different types of prayer affect mental health outcomes among seminary students during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that colloquial, liturgical, and meditative prayer were associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. These relationships were fully mediated by lower experiential avoidance, suggesting that certain prayer practices support mental health by helping students stay engaged through struggle. Read more.

The aim of this article is to explore some of the challenges of measuring Christian spiritual development across distinct traditions of Christian spirituality. This presses into questions of what might be universal and what might be particular when it comes to Christian spirituality in how it is understood and practiced. Read more