The SDFP Foundation Pathway
A year of preparation & discernment

Not quite ready for the
Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP)?

The Foundation Pathway offers a year of intentional preparation and discernment for those sensing a call toward the ministry of spiritual direction. It provides a structured pathway of formation in key areas — including gaining regular experience of receiving spiritual direction from a trained spiritual director — before applying for the full two-year Spiritual Directors Formation Programme (SDFP).

Fran Francis
SDFP National Co-ordinator

Many participants begin their journey with SGM through the Foundation Pathway and go on to complete the full SDFP and practise as spiritual directors — including current Programme Leader Fran Francis, who began her own formation journey this way.

Important Note: Completion of the Foundation Pathway does not guarantee acceptance into the SDFP. Entry will be co-discerned with programme leaders at the end of the year.

This pathway may be suitable if you:

  • Are not yet ready for the full programme but wish to take purposeful steps toward it.

  • Have limited experience of receiving spiritual direction with a trained spiritual director.

  • Need time to complete the SDFP pre/co-requisites at a sustainable pace.

  • Need more time to save programme fees but want to make progress towards programme readiness right away.

  • Wish to grow in connection with SGM’s people and contemplative kaupapa while preparing for formation.

  • Have been advised by SDFP Programme Leaders to begin with this preparatory pathway.

What the foundation pathway year involves:

The Foundation Pathway is intentionally shaped to help you gain the experience and grounding needed to meet SDFP entry requirements — especially through regular engagement in spiritual direction yourself.

During the year you will:

  • Receive regular spiritual direction from a trained spiritual director of your choosing.

  • Follow a tailored reading and workshop plan designed to help you meet the SDFP’s pre- and co-requisites.

  • Participate in two online gatherings with Programme Leader Fran Francis and fellow Foundation Pathway participants — one at the beginning of the year and one at its conclusion.

  • Engage in three supervision sessions with an SDFP supervisor for reflection and support.

  • Complete a discernment interview at the end of the year to clarify readiness for the full programme.

Costs:

  • Course fee: $400 (payable to SGM at the start of the year).

  • Participants cover their own costs for spiritual direction, supervision sessions, and any recommended workshops or retreats.

How to apply:

Complete the full Spiritual Directors Formation Programme application form and select “I am applying for the Foundation Pathway.” Suitable applicants will be invited to an interview with programme leaders.

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Selection Criteria for Entry into Spiritual Directors Formation Programme

 

Participants are normally mature people with a grasp of the spiritual life, Scripture and theology, who will have:

  • experience of receiving spiritual direction and making directed retreats;

  • a degree of wisdom based on life and faith experience;

  • some understanding of human developmental psychology;

  • some experience of being approached by others for help with their spiritual journey.

For some people a FOUNDATION YEAR will be suggested to enable adequate preparation before entry into the Formation Programme.

Pre or co-requisites for participation in the programme may include:

  • undertaking a counselling or skilled listening course;

  • gaining familiarity with personality type theory through a Myers-Briggs workshop and an Enneagram workshop;

  • taking a workshop in Christian Dreamwork;

  • attending a Treaty of Waitangi workshop (NZ participants);

  • attending a five-day silent, directed retreat.

“In the Foundation Pathway I experienced receiving spiritual direction before attempting to offer it to others. As a parent of four, the compulsory long silent retreat was both a blessed rest and spiritual revelation. I needed to do all pre-requisites and am so grateful for the wisdom of the interviewers in slowing me down. I didn’t know what I didn’t know . My first directee during the SDFP was in much safer hands with me as a result. That’s the most important thing.”

— Fran Francis, SDFP Programme Co-ordinator