IFD Certification in
Spiritual Formation
Have you given thought to whether you’re living authentically as God has created you to live? Do you wonder what it takes to be a “spiritually mature” Christian, or do you seek to lead and guide others in their own journey of faith? Spiritual formation is an arena of ministry and study that focuses on the process of conforming to the image of Jesus Christ, for the sake of others, and the Certification in Spiritual Formation provides a Biblical, theological, and practical base for personal growth as well as for spiritual formation in a congregational setting.
Develop tools to make a big impact in your ministry and gain a network of other Christians engaged in Spiritual Formation from around the country!
Certification Details
The IFD Certification in Spiritual Formation requires just three 6-week courses and one 12-week practicum. Each is $125 — a total of $500 for the complete certification.
- Certification courses must be completed in order. Courses will be taught on a yearly rotation.
- Once you begin, you can complete all the courses you need for certification in just one year!
- First courses in the certification cycles are offered in either January or August, with some certifications relaunching at both times.
- This program is taught online via Blackboard Learn. Courses are mostly asynchronous, meaning you can complete the work at the time most convenient for your schedule. Daily engagement on the Discussion Board with peers, required reading, and assignments ensure a quality learning experience. Some courses offer a required or optional live video-based session – see individual course descriptions for more details.
2025 Course Dates:
March 17 – May 2, 2025 (no class during Holy Week, 4/14-18)
August 18 – Sept 26, 2025
August 18 – Nov 7, 2025 (practicum only)
October 13 – Nov 21, 2025
Certification Course List
Enroll in the first course!
If the first course is full, or is not currently enrolling, you will be able to sign up for course opening notifications.
Meet the Instructors
Jim Reiter
After 35 years of active parish ministry in the East Texas area (including several congregations in Houston), the Rev. Dr. James H. “Jim” Reiter took early retirement in 2018 so that he and his wife, Kathy, could pursue their interest in spiritual formation on a full-time basis. Together they founded Zoe-Life Explorations. Through this ministry and a variety of other roles (including lead instructor for BeADisciple’s Certification in Spiritual Formation program, spiritual director, a ministry specialist in spiritual direction and in spiritual formation for the Texas Annual Conference and others), Jim’s mission is to facilitate discussions and experiences of spiritual formation for individuals and faith communities.
Kathy Reiter
A 1983 graduate of Stephen F. Austin University, Kathy is a certified Enneagram facilitator, a trained spiritual director, and a graduate of the Upper Room’s Two-Year Academy of Spiritual Formation. She serves on the staff of the FIND School for Spiritual Direction and Formation (of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas) and is a retreat leader.
Along with her United Methodist clergy spouse, Rev. Dr. Jim Reiter, Kathy co-founded Zoe-Life Explorations. This ministry focuses on offering spiritual direction as well as retreat and program offerings designed to facilitate experiences in and conversations about spiritual formation in the lives of individuals and faith communities.
Lisa Beckman
Lisa Beckman has completed the Ministry of Spiritual Direction program at The Center for Spiritual Formation. She has also obtained the Institute for Discipleship Certification for Spiritual Formation and is a Certified Lay Minister in Faith Formation within the United Methodist Church (UMC). She is knowledgeable and experienced with spiritual practices and is known as a compassionate companion who is a sacred listener, able to walk alongside others without judgment.