Soul Care Institute
A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATION
Embark on our two-year transformative journey encompassing six distinct retreats. Please note, these retreats are integral parts of the program and are not available for individual booking.
A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATION
Chuck DeGroat begins this retreat with three questions that meet us right where we are at. We are taught that ancient tradition can very easily meet contemporary ways of understanding growth, change, how we become more ourselves and, more like Jesus.
Soul Care institute
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Looking for effective practices to nurture spiritual transformation? Learn about the ancient ways that create a climate for transformation at our second retreat.
Retreat 2
Takeaways and Learning Highlights
Core Themes
- Experiencing transformation requires courage and vulnerability
- Embracing a transformative journey means engaging our story, and seeing how God longs for us to live into our image-bearing dignity, belonging and purpose.
- Undergoing transformation is disruptive, and invites honesty with God, each other, and our others
- Encountering God looks different across the varying seasons of our life’s journey, and offers us new challenges and resources for each new season
what to expect
Rhythm of Retreat.
Every retreat week has the same rhythm. We begin each day with Fixed-Hour prayer and Lectio Divina, and spend the remainder of the morning receiving input on our theme. After lunch there is ample time until dinner to practice Silence and Solitude followed by time in the Listening Groups and ending each day with Vespers. From the first retreat to the last one, this rhythm establishes a pattern of engagement and disengagement, a healthy way to live.
Silence and solitude
In our fast-paced, often noisy world, by deliberately choosing silence, we create space to hear, and listen to the voice of God that often goes unheard amidst the clamor. Solitude, in turn, allows us to be present with our thoughts and feelings, free from external distractions. During every retreat, students afternoons are for practicing this sacred rhythm of life, offering a path to ponder what was taught in the morning session and their own reflections.
Reflection Papers
Reflection papers are a vital component of our retreat experience at the Soul Care Institute. As part of our retreat, each student is paired with a reading companion who reads their reflection papers. By sharing their written reflections, students not only see their own insights, they also benefit from their reading companions insights too. These papers serve as both curriculum milestones and personal beacon, showing the student where they've been and illuminating the path ahead of them on the journey as well.
Reading list
Some Selections for
Retreat 2
Included in the curated collection of stimulating reads we've chosen for our students, here are some to nurture your spirit and deepen your understanding of soul care. Our desire is not that everyone agrees with what they are reading, but that they reflect on and learn from each one.
Meet the faculty
Chuck DeGroat
Clinical Counselor, Professor, Pastor, Author
Chuck has 25 years of experience in pastoral ministry, seminary training and clinical counseling. He is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America and a member of City Classis. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, an M.Div. M.A from Reformed Theological Seminary and a BA from Dordt College. Chuck also serves as a counselor, spiritual director and coach.Chuck has been married to Sara for 29 years and has two daughters – Emma and Maggie. He loves spending time with students and his family, traveling to new places, or finding a new extraordinary place to eat.
Apply to the Soul Care Institute
Now accepting applications for Cohorts 14, 15, and 16.
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