The Way of Jesus: Practicing and Leading Integral Spiritual Formation

The Way of Jesus:

Practicing and Leading Integral Spiritual Formation

Summer 2027
Application Deadline: May 7, 2027

Overview

What does it mean to follow the way of Jesus in the midst of the complexities of the 21st century—and to guide others along that path? Leaders today navigate a rapidly shifting landscape: political and cultural divides, ecological and economic uncertainties, disruptive technologies, and dramatic shifts in religious identity and church participation. All of these create new challenges for both being and making disciples.

Jesus announced, modeled, and taught a new way of being human—awake to God’s presence and alive to God’s invitation to participate in the renewal of all things. Yet many ministry leaders struggle to experience transformation in their own lives, let alone foster it in others.

We need a clear vision of the kind of life the gospel makes possible; honesty about the challenges we face; a deeper understanding of how transformation happens; and practical, effective approaches for leading others into the way of Jesus. This cohort is a space to explore that vision together—through learning, practice, reflection, and experimentation.

In this Doctor of Ministry cohort, participants will:

Deepen awareness of God, self, and others through a dynamic epistemology and orthopraxy.
Analyze and engage the emerging issues and crises/metacrisis facing our world.
Explore the essential message of Jesus and its integral connection to personal, communal, and societal needs.
Investigate the theology, theory, and science of embodied learning and transformation.
Experiment with spiritual disciplines and formation practices in a supportive group environment.
Develop skills to lead others in meaningful spiritual formation—one-on-one, in groups, and in collective (social/congregational) settings.
Design, implement, and evaluate a practical, contextualized process of spiritual formation.
Cultivate rhythms that embody a living iterative philosophy of life and ministry.
Participate in and contribute to an honest, authentic learning community

Schedule

Year One: Waking up to Reality: The Way of Jesus in the 21st century

Spring 2027 (March 29–June 9): Reading and Seminar (6 units, hybrid, in person intensive dates May 3-7, 2027)
Summer 2027 (June 21–Sept 3): Doctoral Research (4 units, online)
Fall 2027 (September 27–December 10): Integration (6 units, online)

The first year invites participants into deeper self-awareness and attentiveness to God’s presence. Through journaling, spiritual formation practices, group engagement, and field experiences, students will cultivate habits of reflection and growth. Tools such as the Enneagram of Personality will help illuminate patterns of identity and behavior, fostering greater clarity for ministry and life.

Alongside these practices, participants will study the gospels, kingdom theology, and Christian approaches to spiritual formation, grounding their learning in the life and teachings of Jesus. Integral theory will serve as a framework for engaging the complexity of today’s world, as students explore how the way of Jesus intersects with pressing issues in ecology, economics, technology, race, culture, and the shifting dynamics of church and society.

By the end of Year One, students will have deepened and strengthened their foundation of personal awareness, theological grounding, and cultural insight, preparing them to engage the challenges of ministry and discipleship in the 21st century.

Year Two: Formed in the Way of Jesus: Transformation, Growth, Development, and Change

Spring 2028 (March 27–June 9): Reading and Seminar (6 units, hybrid, in person intensive dates: May 1-5, 2028)
Summer 2028 (June 19–Sept 1): Doctoral Research (4 units, online)
Fall 2028 (September 25–December 8): Integration (6 units, online)

In the second year, participants will explore how people actually grow and change, drawing on education theory, neuroscience, and evidence-based research on learning and habit formation. Together, we will critically evaluate traditional approaches to spiritual formation, discerning where they succeed and where they fall short in light of contemporary insights.

Participants will then choose an area of focus and begin applying these understandings in practical ministry contexts—whether one-on-one relationships, small groups, or larger public settings. By integrating theological reflection with the science of learning and transformation, students will develop a richer toolkit for guiding spiritual growth in ways that are both faithful and effective.

Year Three: Becoming an Innovative Leader of Integral Christian Practice

Spring 2029 (March 25–June 8): Reading and Seminar (6 units, hybrid, in person intensive dates April 30-May 4, 2029)
Summer 2029 (June 18–August 31): Doctoral Research (4 units, online)
Fall 2029 (September 24–December 7): Integration (6 units, online)

The third year focuses on creative and collective aspects of formation. Participants will apply previous learnings to social structures and communal frameworks–congregations, ministries, neighborhoods, large group settings, and public spaces. The cohort will consider approaches to change at the societal level in light of the realities of personal and interpersonal change and transformation.

Participants will continue to integrate these learnings into their doctoral research and writing, as well as their philosophy and approach to their personal life and their formation and leadership of others. In light of the structural implications explored throughout the cohort, participants will design, implement, and evaluate a contextual formation process that awakens individuals and communities to life in the way of Jesus in the 21st century.

Faculty

Mark Scandrette is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and practitioner in the fields of spiritual formation, leadership, and community development. As the founding director of ReIMAGINE: A Center for Integral Christian Practice, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals and communities live with greater intention, purpose, and compassion.

A sought-after teacher and facilitator, Mark has worked with churches, organizations, and leaders across the globe to explore practical approaches to faith, justice, and personal transformation. His books, including Practicing the Way of Jesus, Belonging and Becoming (co-authored with his wife, Lisa Scandrette), and The Ninefold Path of Jesus, reflect his commitment to integrating spiritual wisdom with everyday life.

\With a passion for experiential learning, Mark designs and leads workshops, retreats, and immersive learning experiences that equip people to embody their values and faith in tangible ways. His work has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, and he continues to influence a broad audience through writing, coaching, and public speaking.

Mark lives in San Francisco, where he and his family have cultivated a lifestyle of simplicity, hospitality, and neighborliness, seeking to embody the principles he teaches.

22-06-10_Dave Kludt_012_web - Dave Kludt (1)

Dave Kludt is a creative professional with a background in political science, theology, and community leadership. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, where he engaged in roles within state government and church communities, fostering a deep interest in civic engagement and faith.

Pursuing his passion for theology, Dave obtained both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. His career spans work in higher education, non-profit organization, and creative marketing, with over fifteen years in pastoral leadership, focusing on innovative and community-centered expressions of faith. Dave's approach is characterized by curiosity and a commitment to creativity, simplicity, integrity, and proximity.