Institute for Christian Spirituality

The Institute for Christian Spirituality

The Institute for Christian Spirituality (ICS) cultivates spiritual formation through retreats, courses, spiritual direction training, and formational gatherings designed to deepen awareness of and participation in the life and mission of God. Rooted in the Christian tradition and grounded in the life, death, resurrection, and ongoing work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, ICS serves Christians seeking deeper formation both locally and nationally, including those in vocational ministry and those in everyday vocations.
 
Founded in 2010, the Institute for Christian Spirituality cultivates communities and experiences that help individuals and congregations flourish in union with the Triune God.
 
Connect with us via Facebook or by ics [at] lipscomb.edu (emailing us.)

 

A Welcome from the Director

Thank you for visiting the Institute for Christian Spirituality website.

At the heart of the Christian life is a simple yet world-transforming invitation: to participate ever more deeply in the life, love, and mission of the Triune God. Spiritual formation is not primarily about acquiring more knowledge, mastering spiritual techniques, or striving to become better people. Rather, it is the lifelong, homeward journey of awakening to God's presence, receiving God's transforming love, and joining God as He makes His home within us and among us.

The Institute for Christian Spirituality exists to accompany and support people on this journey. Through retreats, courses, and formational gatherings, we seek to create spaces where individuals, congregations, and leaders can encounter God more deeply and discern more faithfully the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.

Our programs draw from Scripture and the rich wisdom of the historic Christian spiritual tradition — Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. Whether you are a minister or pastor, ministry leader, spiritual director, healthcare professional, educator, businessperson, parent, student, or simply someone longing for a deeper life with God, we hope you will find resources and companions for the journey here.

We believe that God is already present and at work among us. Our task is not to manufacture God's activity but to learn to recognize it, receive it, and participate in it with greater love, joy, and freedom.

It is our prayer that the Institute for Christian Spirituality would be a place where people are formed by the love of the Father, transformed into the likeness of the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for flourishing lives of faith, hope, and love.

We invite you to join us as we seek to grow together in awareness of and participation in God's life, love, and mission.

With joy,

Kris Miller, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Christian Spirituality

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Spiritual Direction

For all who want to accompany others in discerning the presence and work of God in their lives, and who want to become more aware and responsive themselves, Lipscomb offers a unique ministry training program. Begin your journey in uncovering the ancient practice of spiritual direction.

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Cultivate

We invite all Nashville-area spiritual directors to bi-monthly gathering hosted by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality.

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Nurture Conference

The Nurture Conference, sponsored by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, brings nationally recognized leaders in Christian spirituality to a special event featuring keynote addresses and a variety of workshops. Previous speakers include Randy Harris, Gordon T. Smith, Glandion Carney, Gary Moon, Chris Webb, John Ortberg, Curt Thompson, Terry Wardle, John Mark Hicks, Evan Howard, and Adele and Doug Calhoun.

Our full-day conference each year features main sessions by keynote speakers, a variety of workshop offerings, and optional private Soul Care appointments, designed to be personally renewing and centered on prayer and discernment.

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