Spiritual Formation Team
Spiritual Formation Team members are available for guest ministry, congregational consulting, resource development, etc. The Spiritual Formation Team serves to support the mission of the church by focusing on Jesus’ words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” from Luke 4:18. The Team’s focus is on the priority of formation by the Spirit which shapes outward mission.
Current Spiritual Formation Team Priorities are:
Spiritual Formation Education: Create a certificate program for spiritual formation facilitators and companions. The formation program will prepare evangelists and other ministers to serve as spiritual companions for members, pastors, staff, and friends of the church. It will train persons in a variety of spiritual formation practices and ministries for use with individuals, small groups, congregations, and mission centers with intent to deepen discipleship and foster wholeness.
Spiritual Directors/ Spiritual Formation Ministers: Serve as liaison, clearing house, and network facilitator for spiritual directors and spiritual formation ministers through periodic gatherings for continuing education, occasional newsletters, blog/web page, etc. Connect spiritual directors within the church and increase awareness of availability of other directors through such organizations as Spiritual Directors International.
Spiritual Direction for Community of Christ Staff: Work in concert with the staff pastor (Kris Judd) to provide individual spiritual direction to world church staff. This includes vetting certified spiritual directors in Community of Christ to serve church employees, or referring them to spiritual directors in other denominations.
Spiritual Formation Ministries for Different Age Groups: Work closely with people of different age ranges (youth, young adults, families, seniors, etc.) to develop programs, retreat formats, and resources that respond to and draw out the spiritual longings of the various stages of life.
Guest Ministry: Serve as planners, resource persons, and facilitators for spiritual formation retreats and workshops in the church. This includes development of retreats for Community of Christ staff and leaders.
Services and Ministries
The Spiritual Formation Specialist and members of the Spiritual Formation Team are available for the following:
- Spirituality Retreats (women, men, adults, young adults, youth)
- Teaching on the essential link between spirit and mission (contemplation and action), wholeness, spiritual formation, holistic peacemaking, etc.
- Support for congregational and jurisdictional gatherings
- Reunions and Camps
- Temple gatherings and headquarters events
- Denominational formation at events such as World and National Conferences, IYF/SPEC, Peace Colloquy, Meetings and Gatherings, etc.
- Resource development and consultation
- Staff for Community of Christ Spiritual Formation Center in Kirtland, OH which is available for personal or group retreats.
Spiritual Formation Team members also serve to connect individuals, congregations, jurisdictions wit
- spiritual formation resources and information
- spiritual formation study program
- spiritual retreat centers and leaders
- spiritual directors
Spiritual Formation Team Members:
Katie Harmon-McLaughlin
Community of Christ Spiritual Formation Specialist/ Director, Community of Christ Spiritual Formation Center in Kirtland, OH
Education/Experience: BA, Religion- Graceland University; Community of Christ Leadership Program- Graceland University; MAR- Community of Christ Seminary; Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Leadership- Pnuema Institute; Trained Labyrinth Facilitator- Veriditas; High Priest
Previously served Community of Christ as a full-time pastor in Orange, CA
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Formation and Mission, Ecological and Feminist Theologies, Peace and Justice, Wholeness and Spiritual Growth, Ignatian Spirituality, Preaching/Teaching
David R. Brock
Spiritual Formation Companioning Pilot/ Daily Bread Editor
Education/Experience: BS in Community Services- University of Oregon; MAR- Park University, Instituto de Filología Hispánica, Saltillo, Mexico; Alliance Française, Nairobi, Kenya; Berlitz Language School; Saint Paul School of Theology and the Nazarene Theological Seminary; Spiritual Direction-Haden Institute; Center for Creative Leadership
Previously served Community of Christ as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles and Presiding Evangelist.
Interests/Expertise: Intercultural relationships, Word and Language studies, Facilitation of retreats, Spiritual Direction, Preaching, Teaching/Learning
Kris Judd
Community of Christ Staff Pastor
Education/Experience: BA, Psychology- Graceland University; Ed.S. School, Psychology, Iowa State University; MEADS; Souljourners Spiritual Direction Training
Previously served Community of Christ as President of Seventy for the Pacific Mission Field
Interests/Expertise: Social Justice, Urban Ministries, Ministry with marginalized populations
Charmaine Chvala-Smith
Instructional Assistant at Graceland University and Community of Christ Seminary/ Community of Christ Disciple Formation Ministries/ Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Formation for Community of Christ Seminary
Education/Experience: Theology and Scripture Specialist, Spiritual Direction- Souljourners; Trained Labyrinth Facilitator- Veriditas; Evangelist
Previously served Community of Christ as a Volunteer Staff Pastor at IHQ, an Executive Minister and a Youth Ministries Coordinator in Michigan
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Direction, Young Adult Ministry, Spiritual Formation, Scripture and Theology, Pastoral Ministries
Carolyn Brock
Education/Experience: BSN; MSN; Oregon Health Sciences Center; FNP University of Colorado; Upper Room Academy of Spiritual Formation two year certificate; Masters in Transpersonal Studies (MTS) Institute of Transpersonal Psychology; Spiritual Direction-Haden Institute
Previously served Community of Christ as Spiritual Formation Minister
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation, Evangelist Blessing, Covenant Discipleship Group Facilitator and Trainer, Spiritual and Depth Psychology, Wholeness and Healing Ministries, World Spiritual Traditions.
Laurie Gordon
Education/Experience: MA Christian Spirituality (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA); Retired molecular biologist; Spiritual Direction Certification; Evangelist
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Formation Retreats and Workshops, Science and Spirituality Exploration Workshops, Covenant Discipleship Group facilitator and trainer, Spiritual Direction
Mary Jacks Whipple
Education/Experience: BA Spanish at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa; MA Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark University in Portland, Oregon; MA Theology at Portland University in Portland, Oregon; Doctor of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC; Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Haden Institute in Flat Rock, North Carolina; and Dream Group Leader Certificate from Haden Institute in Flat Rock, North Carolina; Evangelist.
Previously served Community of Christ as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Formation Retreats and Workshops, Spiritual Direction, Dream Group Leader, Dream Retreats and Workshops, Dream Direction
Dustin Davis
Education/Experience: BA, English and French from Westminster College in Fulton, MO; Masters of Fine Arts in Film and Television Producing from Chapman University in Orange, CA; Discipleship NOW, Southern California Mission Center; Program Assistant for Senior Health and Advocacy Ministries, SCMC; Member of Congregational Leadership Team (Orange, CA Congregation)
Interests/Expertise: Spiritual Formation for Youth, Spiritual Formation for Congregations, Ecological Justice, Worship Planning, Preaching, Camp/Retreat Facilitating
Dave Schaal
Associate Director of Development, Graceland University
Education/Experience: M.A. Religion, Park University. B.A. Social Studies, Graceland University
Previously served as appointee minister for Community of Christ (Pastor, Missionary Director, Presiding Quorums)
Interests/Expertise: Spirituality and Nature in Metropolitan Life; Leadership Development; Spirituality and Contemporary Culture; Personal Spiritual Practices
Spiritual Formation Center 