The Formation Renewal Pathway
Refresh your practice as a spiritual director

Revisiting Formation for Graduates of the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP)

Many alumni have said, “I wish I could do the programme again—just without the verbatim!”
Now you can.

The Formation Renewal Pathway offers SGM graduates the opportunity to revisit the richness of the Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP)—without written assignments or verbatim work.

Designed especially for those who trained before 2017, this new pathway provides a way to refresh your formation and re-engage with the wisdom, rhythm, and community of SGM’s training in its current form.

As a participant, you’ll:

  • Attend all workshops alongside current participants (five per year)

  • Access all readings and online learning materials

  • Have the option to join the Kōhanga Ako (Residential Week, Year 1) and the Creativity & Spirituality Weekend (Year 2)

  • Experience renewed formation without the pressure of assessments

  • Be refreshed in your practice as a spiritual director

Who can apply?

The Formation Renewal Pathway is open exclusively to graduates of SGM’s Spiritual Directors Formation Programme. To apply, you must be:

  • An SGM alum (the programme is not open to those trained elsewhere)

  • Currently offering spiritual direction, or seeking to return to practice

  • Committed to attending all workshops for two consecutive years (to support group cohesion)

To ensure balance and support for those in initial formation, places are limited—up to two renewal participants per regional group (Auckland and Central/Southern). Overseas alumni may participate online through video sessions and readings.

Fees:

Participants contribute 10% of the full SDFP annual fee.
Participation in the Kōhanga Ako Residential Week or Closing Weekend is optional and charged separately. Please refer to the Programme & Fee Information booklet for current costs.

Application Process

Applications are now open for the 2026 intake of the Formation Renewal Pathway.

Applicants will be asked to share:

  • The year you completed the SDFP

  • Your reasons for wishing to revisit the programme at this time

  • Details about your current spiritual direction practice and supervision

  • Whether you anticipate attending the Kōhanga Ako and/or Closing Weekend

If you are currently not seeing directees, we encourage you to begin doing so and to engage in supervision with a qualified supervisor of spiritual directors.

Those primarily seeking personal spiritual growth may find Pathways to Presence a more suitable offering, as the SDFP is oriented towards development of the gifts and skills for offering spiritual direction. 

Apply Now for 2026

We are now receiving applications for the 2026 Formation Renewal Pathway.
Please download and complete the Application Form below, and submit it with your supporting information via the upload link provided.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Important Note: The application form is a Microsoft Word document. Please do not start filling in the form online - you must first save it to your computer and use the saved version to make your responses.

After downloading the Formation Renewal Application Form, please:

  1. Save the application form to your computer

  2. Complete your responses by typing them directly into the boxes provided, using the document you saved on to your computer

  3. Save the completed form to your computer, either as a Word or a PDF document, and

  4. Upload your application form using the form below.

Upload Your Application Form