Graduation Guidelines Details

The following represent the goals of One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and the guidelines for graduation. We do not expect students to have fully mastered all of the personal/spiritual qualities and professional skills described below (Sections I & II). What is necessary is for students to be working on developing these qualities and skills and to have demonstrated a certain level of accomplishment in them. In addition, all requirements listed in Section III must be completed in order for students to be graduated and ordained.

I. Foundational Personal & Spiritual Qualities for Being an Interfaith Minister

1. Intention/Commitment to be of spiritual service in the world

• Explores and begins to define/express one’s call to ministry
• Understands the broader scope of ministry and spiritual service – i.e., recognizes that every experience is an opportunity to grow and mature spiritually, every interaction an opportunity to extend love and be a presence of healing and peace

2. Spiritual Depth and Presence

• Demonstrates commitment to cultivating and deepening one’s own relationship with/direct experience of the Divine (the Absolute, Ultimate Mystery, Ultimate Reality, etc.)
• Develops and deepens one’s own spiritual practice and inner life
• Cultivates spiritual presence through connecting with and living from one’s essential nature

3. Personal/Emotional Maturity: Self-Awareness, Integrity, Authenticity, Self-Responsibility

• Monitors and takes responsibility for one’s inner state
• Recognizes and acknowledges one’s own “triggers” (reactivity, ways we “miss the mark” in our lives and interactions with others), and demonstrates a willingness to grow and change
• Actively applies and attempts to integrate spiritual and psychological principles in one’s everyday life (i.e., “walks one’s talk”)
• Models behavior consistent with the ethics and values of One Spirit and one’s own religious/ spiritual path
• Engages in responsible communication with others, and demonstrates a willingness to look at and be responsible for one’s own part in any situation of conflict or disharmony

4. Spiritual Approach to Life: Compassion, Patience, Mindfulness, Generosity of Spirit, Gratitude

• Cultivates an inner and outer practice of compassion and patience toward oneself and others
• Demonstrates the ability to understand, empathize with, and reflect the feelings of others
• Cultivates the practice of mindfulness/awareness in daily life
• Cultivates and practices a basic sense of gratitude in and for life
• Demonstrates generosity of spirit through active participation, willingness to share one’s own experience, open-mindedness toward the views and experiences of others
• Treats people with dignity, respect, caring, inclusiveness and fairness

5. Wisdom and Discernment

• Practices listening for inner guidance and differentiating between the voice of the ego (i.e., that which is narrowly self-serving and self-interested) and the voice of Spirit
• Demonstrates ability and willingness to recognize and acknowledge personal biases, attachments, or investment in one’s own needs and desires that may cloud or interfere with inner clarity
• Practices decision-making and taking action based on inner guidance, spiritual principles, and the good of the whole
• Demonstrates humility regarding the ongoing difficulty and challenge of discernment and the degree of one’s own development in this area

6. Service

• Demonstrates an understanding of service both as an inner attitude/state of mind and as love expressed through action
• Creates a safe environment for others to learn and grow spiritually through open-mindedness and suspension of judgment
• Recognizes the inherent equality of server and served
• Listens within for guidance and right action, for what is truly needed
• Acknowledges and lets go of personal investment in the outcome of one’s efforts to be helpful
• Honors and cares for the needs of others, and balances this with healthy self-care

II. Basic Ministerial Skills and Behaviors

1. Capacities for Public/Professional Ministry

• Demonstrates the ability to write and perform rituals and ceremonies; worship services and sermons/inspirational talks; guided meditations and prayer
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing

2. Capacities for Spiritual Leadership

• Acts with confidence, authority, objectivity and maturity
• Assumes self-responsibility for choices and behaviors
• Solicits feedback and learns from mistakes
• Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to diversity by recognizing and respecting differences
• Demonstrates courage and respect for both self and others in addressing difficult or controversial issues
• Demonstrates group skills and works collaboratively; acknowledges diverse opinions, addresses relevant concerns and works toward solutions that enhance the group

3. Capacities for Spiritual Support of Others

• Demonstrates ability to hold a vision of others’ wholeness
• Demonstrates support for others through listening and inquiry
• Actively listens to others and conveys an understanding of others’ comments and questions
• Asks questions after listening to promote deeper understanding
• Provides opportunities for others to speak
• Inspires and guides others to find their own answers
• Demonstrates understanding of basic psychological principles relevant to supporting others spiritually
• Recognizes the limitations of one’s own level of training and skill and the importance of seeking supervision and/or referring to other professionals

III. Fulfillment of Program Requirements and Commitments

• Completes all written assignments
• Attends and participates in first and second year retreats
• Completes all financial requirements, including work-study agreements
• Fulfills elective requirements
• Receives a Letter of Assignment of ministry from a recognized religious organization
• Demonstrates basic understanding of beliefs, practices, rituals and history of the world’s major religions as defined in the course curriculum
• Demonstrates understanding of the meaning and principles of an Interfaith/InterSpiritual approach to spiritual life