Spiritual Formation Certificate

Spiritual Formation Certificate

Tyndale Spiritual Formation Centre

What is Spiritual Formation?

The world is becoming more polarized each day, filled with tensions, anger, violence and social injustice. It is easy to fall into the trap of dualistic, “either-or” thinking, creating an otherness where one can easily place blame and responsibilities on others. It creates a dichotomy and false sense of security amidst the complexity of our current reality. We must learn to follow the life of Jesus Christ, who sees beyond the filters of judgement and discrimination, loving all of creation and everyone in it.

Spiritual formation is an ongoing journey as we learn more about ourselves and grow in greater intimacy with God. We invite you to join us this coming year to nurture a deeper understanding of the Body of Christ, as a united body made up of different members and our true self, created in the image of God. We will  explore various spiritual practices by engaging with our sanctified imagination, the arts, contemplating biblical narratives and parables and how they intersect with our own personal spiritual journey.

A minimum of 6 modules are required to complete the Spiritual Formation Certificate program, however, all 7 are recommended. Upon completion participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Upcoming Modules

Facilitators

Jeff Loach

Dr. Jeff Loach, M.Div., D.Min, OblSB, ThM, CSD

Module 1 Facilitator

Jeff is Lead Pastor of St. Paul’s Church in Nobleton, a Certified Spiritual Director, and an Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Tyndale Seminary. He is also a certified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (R).

Lisa Oppitz

Lisa Oppitz, M.Div., RP

Module 2 Facilitator

Lisa completed her MDiv (Counselling) at Tyndale University in 2019. Currently working as a Registered Psychotherapist with Tyndale Family Life Centre, Lisa brings her teaching, mentoring, and parenting experiences to her therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and families. Lisa has particular interest and additional training in spiritually integrated psychotherapy, systemic and trauma-informed approaches to treatment, and working with grief and loss.

Timothy Myland

Timothy Myland

Module 3 Facilitator

Timothy Myland is a retired social worker whose work experience led him through adult mental health, working with the blind and visually impaired, as well as acquired brain injury. These work experiences have given Timothy a deeper and broader understanding of disability and how it impacts daily life. For more than 10 years, Timothy has also been involved in Village Eulogia, an organization supporting families with children and adults with disabilities. As a spiritual director, Timothy is attuned to how disability impacts one’s spiritual formation and how faith can be a source of strength and hope for those living with a disability.

Cynthia Tam

Cynthia Tam

Module 3 Facilitator

Cynthia Tam is an ordained minister and the national coordinator for disability ministries with the Alliance Canada. is also involved with Village Eulogia, an organization that serves families raising children with disabilities. Cynthia graduated from University of Aberdeen with a Ph.D. in Theology under the supervision of Prof. John Swinton. Her book, Kinship in the Household of God explores how the church should be a place of belonging with people with profound autism.

Chris Walker

Chris Walker, D.Min.

Module 4 Facilitator

Dr. Chris Walker is the Lead Pastor of Meadow Brook Church, a Mennonite Brethren congregation in Leamington, ON. His doctoral work focused on discernment, self-awareness, and the role that both play in spiritual formation, and he is certified in Myers-Briggs as well as Enneagram Spectrum Method. He is passionate about making discernment more accessible for the people of God, and about encouraging people in their unique spiritual journey with Jesus.

Matthew  McEwen

Rev. Dr. Matthew McEwen, M.Div., Th.M., D.Min.

Module 5 Facilitator

Matthew is a Pastor, father and life long student. In addition to labyrinths, Matthew is interested in Wesleyan theology, C.S. Lewis, and creation care. He enjoys karate with his 7 year old son, and one of his favourite words in Scripture is persevere. His vision for ministry comes from the Didache which says the trustworthy minister is one who promotes holiness and knowledge of the Lord.

ChrisB Liu

ChrisB Liu, M.Sc., RP

Module 6 Facilitator

ChrisB is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, and registered art psychotherapist in the UK. She earned her the Master of Science in Art Psychotherapy in Edinburgh, Scotland. ChrisB has always been fascinated by the potential of images in bringing people together, and to evoke a range of feelings and reflections. ChrisB specializes in working with the immigrant populations and Indigenous communities who are living with trauma and other mental health issues. She also worked with adult male inmates and provided spiritual art therapy groups in Toronto. Through her experience in art therapy and workshops, she witnessed God’s mercy and love as she helped people explore their spirituality through art-making.

Joseph Wong

Joseph Wong, M.Div., CSD

Module 6 Facilitator

Joseph Wong is the Director of the Tyndale Spiritual Formation Centre. He is also the Executive Director of Cascadia Living Wisdom. Joseph is a Spiritual Director and serves as a Pastor at Mosaic Baptist Church in Markham. He is passionate in bringing together theology and social justice, spirituality with culture and arts, and walking with fellow Christians to rediscover God’s presence and calling in their lives. Joseph has done missional work in China, South Africa and the First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. Joseph loves to travel and make pilgrimages to Holy Places and Sacred Sites.

Lyndsay Thompson, M.Div., RP

Module 7 Facilitator

Lyndsay is an instructor at Tyndale Seminary in the Clinical Counselling and Thanatology programs. She is also a registered psychotherapist and who works primarily with kids and families and individual adults. She is working on a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation with a focus on the use of imagination, story and somatic experiencing for spiritual growth.

Learning Format

Both in-person and online options are available for some modules in this Certificate. Please select one of the attendance options at registration. We require a minimum of 8 students for the in-person option. If the minimum number is not met, the module will be hosted online only. The final details concerning the format will be communicated to you one week before the module.

Cost

Early Bird Pricing: $803.25 for the package of 7 modules (plus administrative fees), complete cost for the certificate program with 15% discount. The discount expires Sept 8, 2023.

  • Each module is $135.00 plus administrative fees
  • $850.50 for the package of 7 modules (plus administrative fees), complete cost for the Spiritual Formation Certificate program with 10% discount
  • Packages are only available before the start date of the first module
  • There is a 10% discount for full-time Tyndale students, alumni and staff. You will need to contact the Tyndale Spiritual Formation Centre to receive a discount code before registering online
Email tsfc [at] tyndale [dot] ca to receive a promo code.

Refund Policy: Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of event date, will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 3-6 days before the event, we will offer you a credit for future TSFC events. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the event may not receive a refund nor a transfer. If TSFC cancels an event under circumstances that would make the event non-viable, registrants will be offered a full refund. When you register for an event, you agree to these terms.