Contemplative Retreat Facilitation

Does your contemplative heart yearn to create a sacred space for others during retreats? Through this Contemplative Retreat Facilitation (CRF) program, participants receive step-by-step guidance on helping others engage with God’s presence. The program is based on Thomas Keating’s teachings on the Centering Prayer Method and the Human Condition, as well as other contemplative practices. Through these teachings and practices, participants gain the skills and training to become facilitators of lifegiving retreat experiences.   

The CRF program focuses on bringing a contemplative stance into every dimension of retreat work: planning, welcoming, meditating, praying, teaching, encouraging, listening, and holding space and silence for retreatants. Much of the learning unfolds through conversation and reading about these practices and how to weave them into a retreat experience that has proven to open hearts and minds to remembering and finding God in the present moment. 

The Practicum includes co-facilitating two retreats with the Program Advisor, using Centering Prayer and sharing Thomas Keating’s teachings on Spiritual Journey. It is a life well lived serving others through silent contemplative retreats, one that can begin with this certificate program.   

Program Overview

Phase I: Required Coursework & Retreats

Complete the following courses: 

• Intro to Contemplative Spirituality 

• Contemplative Living I 

• Contemplative Living II 

• A minimum of two CLL Contemplative Retreats (one five-day and/or eight-day) 

To register for the required courses and retreats, click HERE.

Phase II: Practicum

Before beginning the Practicum, you must meet the following prerequisites: 

• At least two years of regularly established Centering Prayer practice 
• Discernment process with the Program Advisor 
• Ability to articulate your own contemplative stance in everyday life  
• Ability to articulate your own sense of call to this ministry  
• Register for Practicum (you will receive the Practicum Registration Form from the Program Advisor).  

The Practicum itself consists of: 

• Co-facilitating at least two 5-Day Intensive Contemplative Retreats offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary, under the guidance of the Program Advisor 
• Completing all required writing and reading assignments 
• Design a retreat for your own particular audience.

Program Fees

The total program cost is estimated at $3,730.

• Coursework Fee: $2,780 (includes courses, housing, and two 5-day retreat fees) 
• Practicum Fee: $950 (includes two retreat fees) 

Fee Waiver: Registration fees for the two Practicum retreats (normally 750–1,250 each) are waived when the Practicum is completed through the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary. 

Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available, covering up to 50% of the program fee. Apply HERE