JOHN ACKERMAN

Send email to ackerman@visi.com

OVERVIEW

I have been passionately concerned about spiritual formation in the local congregation, not only in my own congregation, but helping other congregational leaders facilitate the spiritual growth of individuals and the congregation as a whole.

CURRENT ACTIVITY

I see about twenty clergy a month for spiritual direction and coaching. I facilitate leadership groups for clergy, leaders of spiritual formation, and spiritual directors.

I write and design materials for spiritual formation in the congregation.

I have taught courses on spiritual formation in the parish at the Masters and Doctoral level at Bethel Theological Seminary, in the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program at Columbia Seminary, at national and local retreats and seminars. I still conduct workshops for judicatories and congregations (Ghost Ranch, Synod School, and in the parish where I am a member).

PUBLICATIONS

• Listening To God: Spiritual Formation in the Congregation. Alban, 2001.
• Spiritual Awakening: A Guide to Spiritual Life in the Parish. Alban. 1994.
• Finding Your Way: Personalized Practices for Spiritual Growth. Alban 1998.

The first two of these books were honored as “one of the top ten religious book of  the year” by the Academy of Parish Clergy.

• Several sermons in the Library of Distinctive Sermons. Many articles.

MINISTRY

For over forty years I have served as a Presbyterian Pastor. I was a solo pastor in a small rural church, a Clinical Pastoral Educator in Washington, D.C., an associate in Georgetown, D.C., a senior pastor in a downtown parish, a staff member of a 3,000-member congregation (Westminster, Minneapolis), and a pastor in a redeveloping urban neighborhood parish (Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis). I retired from pastoral ministry in 1997.

EDUCATION

• Master’s Degree from General Seminary in Spiritual Direction. 1986
• Master’s Degree from Wesley Seminary in Pastoral Care. 1966
• Chaplain Supervisor’s Certification at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. 1966
• Bachelor of Divinity from Union Seminary in New York. 1958