Center for Spiritual Direction
The C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction trains women and men in the ministry of listening, discernment and prayer in a confidential setting of encouragement and compassion.
Receive the gift of God’s presence in all areas of life
The ministry of spiritual direction centers the development of a life of discernment in the follower of Jesus. Directors are trained listeners, holding space in each session for directees ever-deepening awareness of the movements of the Spirit in daily life.
The C John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction prepares individuals to serve in this contemplative ministry through our leading spiritual direction certificate program in the Christian Protestant tradition.
Drawing on Ignatian, Pietist, and Covenant traditions, we train spiritual directors not to fix, but to witness the Spirit’s movement with humility and hope—encouraging Christians to deepen their relationship with God.
Certificate in Spiritual Direction
A leading training program for spiritual direction in the Protestant tradition, we train men and women in in the ministry of listening, discernment and prayer.
The certificate is a two year program including distance courses, personal spiritual direction, and on-campus intensives in-person.
Interim Director
Ellen Kogstad
Ellen Kogstad has been a spiritual director for more than twenty-five years. Currently serving as Interim Director, Ellen has many years of experience as Center Director, and in 2004 was an original member of the Center’s founding team. Ellen’s heart is for spiritual direction to be made available to all, including under-resourced communities.
Centered in a Seminary
Our training program in spiritual direction is uniquely rooted in the rich soil of a theological seminary.
Our spiritual direction students benefit the presence of learned faculty across Biblical, Theological and Ministry fields. And the value of spiritual formation and direction is integrated across every degree program in the North Park Theological Seminary curriculum.
Dr. C John Weborg
Our Namesake
C. John Weborg developed the spiritual formation and spiritual direction programs at North Park Theological Seminary during his tenure as full-time professor of theology (1975 to 2003) and in the years following his formal retirement. In addition to his interest in spirituality, he has also taught widely in the areas of Pietism, worship, and liturgy; pastoral issues in healthcare; and systematic theology.
Full Biography
Looking for a Spiritual Director?
The Association of Covenant Spiritual Directors (ACSD) is a Center for Spiritual Direction partner whose vision is for all to consider the formational question in the narrative of our Covenant history: “How goes your walk with Christ?”
The ACSD maintains a list of trusted spiritual directors who provide visibility and advocacy for the practice of spiritual direction with the Covenant Church, and referrals for those seeking a director.
