Christian Formation & Direction Ministries, NorthWest
OUR PURPOSE is captured in the words of Jesus who invites us to come take a rest: “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Matt 11:28-29 - The Message. In and through CFDM, we hope people are finding these “unforced rhythms of grace.”
WHAT WE DO: Christian Formation & Direction Ministries Northwest (CFDM NW) is a Christian ministry offering intentional learning communities in which to explore the soul-shaping experience of God in all of life.
To learn what CFDM is offering for training, workshops and contemplative retreats, please read below and continue to visit our home page for updates. You can also check our Facebook page, and/or sign up to receive our newsletter. To support CFDM, please visit our Giving page.
spiritual direction training
CFDM-NW trains spiritual directors in the Pacific Northwest, to companion others on their journey with God. Our Spiritual Direction Training program is an alternative to seminary for mature Christians who want training in offering spiritual direction and the contemplative life. It offers practical hands-on training, including courses in spiritual theology, spiritual traditions, spiritual formation, along with practicum, case studies, and supervision in giving and receiving spiritual direction. This is a two-year certificate program with small learning cohorts, training people to companion others as they walk the story of their life with God. Learn more...
The Spiritual Direction Training Program starts with a “Season of Discernment”
a new discernment cohort begins February 7, 2026
going deeper in relationship with god
CFDM-NW offers opportunities for individuals to learn and practice contemplative prayer in community. All are welcome at these retreats and workshops. Participants learn and experience contemplative prayer practices which enrich and deepen their relationship with the Triune God. A transformed life is a gift received, not a goal achieved. It happens when we create space for noticing what God is already doing in our life. Through spending time with, reflecting on, and resting in God, we come to know personally, and more fully, God’s immense love for us. We are God’s Beloved!
Online Mini Retreat: ONCE A MONTH SATURDAYS 10-12N PST
All Mini Retreats are recorded and shared with registered participants who aren’t able to attend live.
FEB 21st: Centering Prayer - Consenting to God’s Presence and Action Within Us
In centering prayer we sit in God's loving presence with no agenda, no requests. It's a prayer of open surrender to God's presence and action within us. In this retreat, you'll learn guidelines that help you to be still in God's presence, and we'll have the opportunity to practice this prayer together.
Centering Prayer is beautifully described by Thomas Keating as “…the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. Moved by God’s sustaining grace, we open our awareness to God, who we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing - closer than consciousness itself.”
MARCH 21st: Noticing God in Everyday Life - The Prayer of Examen
The Prayer of Examen is an ancient spiritual practice of expressing gratitude for God’s presence of love that is with us every moment of every day. It has been described as “reading the scripture of our lives.” It is a simple, yet powerful practice that invites us to reflect on our everyday happenings and experiences to see the movement of God.
With this simple practice, we make space to notice more deeply who we are, what we need, and how God is present with us.
APRIL 18th: Encountering God Through Lectio Divina
Lectio divina is also called divine (or sacred) reading. It is an ancient Christian approach to reading scripture that allows God to meet us personally in the moment. When we read scripture this way, we are not looking to gain information, we are seeking to deepen our personal relationship with God. Reading in this way is transformational, it engages not only our mind, but also our heart, our emotions, our body, our curiosity, our imagination, and our will.
Lectio divina is rooted in the belief that through the presence of the Holy Spirit the scriptures are alive and active as we engage them (Heb 4:12).
Listening Groups
Listen and respond to the Divine invitation in ordinary life in the company of a supportive small group.
Groups will meet in September, November, January, March and May!
Listening Groups facilitator, Marsha Crockett is a certified Spiritual Director, and an award-winning author of seven books focused on prayer, spiritual formation, and God-given identity. You can learn more about her books here, and at www.marshacrockett.org
Deep Calls to Deep
(Resourced from Mark Buchanan’s book The Rest of God)
January 5, 12, 19, 26 2026 (Mondays) 10am - 12pm PT
January 6, 13, 20, 27 2026 (Tuesdays) 1pm – 3pm PT
Week 1: From restless to resting
Week 2: From contending to contentment
Week 3: From absence to attentiveness
Week 4: From scattered to gathered
Group Spiritual Direction - Listening to God through scripture
Listening To God Through Scripture is a process in which people come together on a monthly basis to do some “deep listening” of a passage from scripture.
These meetings are currently virtual, and there is no fee to participate. New group members are added to groups after attending a drop-in session, or a one-on-one session with a director to walk you through the process.
Invite Us To Your Church
We would love to partner with your church as you deepen your desire for disciples who are experiencing freedom in their encounters with Christ. Contact us to start a conversation today!
As the youngest of five, I have always felt entitled to the perpetual "fountain of youth"--even though the calendar turns every year. That illusion morphed into pixelated fragments in a single moment last year. “You have cataracts,” the doctor said. My brain exploded. I knew my prescription was out of date but, this is the language of old people I thought!