Education
As the oldest teaching centre in Canada, the Open Door Sanctuary continues to offer education in all areas of Spiritualism. The centre attracts people from not only various parts of Canada, but countries abroad as well.
Courses, which include those providing instruction in spiritual healing, inspirational speaking and mediumship, are ongoing. These courses are provided at the Sanctuary through the Inner Quest Foundation.
How to learn and develop
Personal development groups and training courses are at the core of learning and development at the Inner Quest. The Inner Quest’s well-respected teaching team provides training for an international clientele of professionals in the business, educational and healing fields, in addition to those in the intuitive arts.
The aim of the Inner Quest is to provide philosophical, spiritual, psychic, mediumistic and personal educational opportunities within an environment that is disciplined, constructive and supportive. Toward this end, the Inner Quest offers a comprehensive course of instruction, providing a sound theoretical and practical knowledge base from which the continuous advancement of learning and development in the intuitive arts is encouraged and facilitated. There are a growing number of spiritual healers, speakers on the philosophy of Spiritualism and demonstrators of mediumship at the Sanctuary. Those who work at the Open Door must have reached an acceptable level in their personal development; for most this will have taken at least ten years.
The Open Door also offers a comprehensive programme for those who wish to enter the ministry. Ministerial students receive full ministerial training as well as extensive education in all aspects of Spiritualism.
The Open Door has a high criterion in all of its educational programmes, reaching far beyond the usual standards. In challenging and surpassing the standards currently considered acceptable, the development and training offered at the Open Door stretches the potential of every person who participates.
The Open Door’s Ministry Education Programme
Everyone who is a member of the Open Door is called to participate in and extend the ministry. For some people, however, God's call to minister extends much further; some are called to perform the offices, duties and functions of a minister of religion, the more official form of ministry. This involves accountability to a congregation and requires much educational and ministerial preparation. In recognition of this need, the Open Door offers one of the most comprehensive and intensive ministry courses in the Spiritualist movement.
The Open Door recognises that those who are “moved to minister” posses the gift of a special calling which stands on its own, apart from other mediumistic expressions.
The potential for the ministry manifests itself in particular attributes: a deep, spiritual life calling, personal integrity, the ability to learn and to share, a capacity for critical reflection and an aspiration to serve the community. The Open Door’s Ministry Education Programme is designed for those who demonstrate these qualities, whether or not they possess a specific mediumistic ability such as platform mediumship.
The programme of study for the ministry at the Open Door includes the following components: prerequisite educational requirements, the in depth study of all aspects of Spiritualism, the study of religious history, the study of other religions and the study of ethics. The programme also emphasises pastoral care, worship and discourse, and the development and understanding of pastoral and personal identity. In keeping with the history of the Open Door, expression in occupation, personal being, involvement in the Open Door’s community, and service in, through, and to the organisation are also strongly encouraged.
Much is expected of those seeking to pursue the ministry through the Open Door’s Ministry Education Programme. The admission, training and educational standards are unparalleled in the Spiritualist movement. A clear and true calling and a high level of ability and commitment are required of every student who enters the programme. In return, the Open Door’s ministerial students receive the reward of knowledge, experience and confidence in ministering to humanity, in God’s service and in answer to God’s call.
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