The Academy for Spiritual Formation creates transformative space for people to be in communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world.
The Vision
Our vision is for The Academy to be a movement that helps reshape the way pilgrims conceive of and live out the Christian life — a way that is rooted in and flows from God’s spirit and action in the world.
Academy pilgrims are the leaven in the loaf of contemporary Christianity, helping lead the way into the next incarnation of the body of Christ.
The Academy movement hopes to lead the way in forming Christian communities that embrace the multicultural, multi-ethnic, interfaith landscape of the 21st century for the transformation of the world.
Research
An independent research study conducted by Doble Research Associates on The Academy for Spiritual Formation found that after attending an Academy, 79% of participants reported having a deeper hunger for God and 74% of participants reported experiencing increased self-compassion.
DEEP HUNGER FOR GOD INCREASED 79%
SELF-COMPASSION INCREASED 74%
The History
Since 1983, The Academy has offered a sacred place for spiritually hungry pilgrims, both clergy and lay. The Academy is an experience of disciplined Christian community emphasizing holistic spirituality — nurturing mind, body, and spirit. The program is ecumenical in nature and fosters spiritual rhythms of study and prayer, silence and liturgy, solitude and relationship, rest and exercise. Each Academy celebrates the Creator’s blessing, delights in the companionship of Christ, and witnesses to the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, churches, and the world.
"The Academy for Spiritual Formation is the finest and most comprehensive, ecumenical non-degree program in spiritual formation in this country."
Rev. Marjorie J. Thompson, Teacher, retreat leader, and author of SoulFeast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life
"The Academy experience is one of sacred time and sacred space with a sacred process of coming to self, others, and God."
Luther Smith, Professor Emeritus of Church and Community, Emory University
"The Academy is a beautiful example of the reconfiguring of Protestantism. It's the kind of thing I would hope to see happening more."
Phyllis Tickle, Founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly and a leading authority on religion in America.
"The Academy gets to the heart of the church."
Rev. Trevor Hudson, South African pastor, Upper Room Books author, and international retreat leader.
"The Academy has been a gift of time and space to learn how to be sustainable in ministry. There I could drink deeply from the well and be filled and discover once again that God's grace is sufficient."
Cindy Gregorson, Participant
"Jesus saved my life, but The Academy saved my ministry."
Ruben Ortiz, Pastor
"The Academy for Spiritual Formation gave me the space, the time, the support, and the model I needed to learn again that God loves me deeply. This is my true story, and The Academy helped me discover it."
Kristen Vincent, Upper Room Books author and Academy alum
"The Academy provides one of the most holistic programs of spiritual nurture available today."
Robert Mulholland, Seminary professor and author of Shaped by the Word
"The Academy offers a structured, supportive community in which Christians can learn Christian history as a resource for their own spiritual growth in the love of God and neighbor, take risks spiritually, and find the courage to submit to God for healing the very parts of themselves they most reject. I am committed to support it."
Roberta Bondi, Seminary faculty and author of To Love as God Loves and Wild Things