The Center for Spiritual and Personal Formation and, within it, the Office of Formation and Professional Development, hold responsibility for developing intentional strategies for making the formation process part of the entire Bethel Seminary experience—in and out of the classroom, through sponsored events, in communities where nonresident students live, at practicum and field education sites, and within covenant relationships throughout the entire Bethel community. Spiritual and personal formation is the process of opening oneself to the work of God in one’s life “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13). It is a multi-faceted, invitational process with many points of entry, both formal and informal.
Opportunities for community involvement, spiritual/leadership development, and emotional, physical, and relational wellness are coordinated through the Office of Formation and Professional Development. Examples of some of the elements of this holistic program include:
Community involvement: All-seminary retreats and dinners/lunches.
Spiritual/leadership development: Community life programs; community prayer fellowship; missions specials and brown-bag lunches; small group experiences; Student Senate; Seminary Women (ministry to women students).
Emotional, physical, and relational wellness: Counseling for students addressing personal relationship concerns; tutorial assistance; the Sunshine Fund (emergency fund for students); training; and small-group experiences.