Apprentice Institute

Applications are now open for the Formation Writers Guild!

If you sense a call to write within the field of Christian spiritual formation, this year-long journey is designed for you. Through teaching, coaching, and community, you’ll deepen your faith, develop your craft, and expand your reach through publication.

Applications close July 10th, 2026.

Learn more:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-guild/
Apply now:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-cohort-application/

And last but not least, meet Tracy Balzer, one of our intensive speakers for TAG 2026! Register at https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/

Tracy Balzer is a writer, spiritual director, and pilgrimage leader from Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She has written four books, two of which - Thin Places, and A Journey of Sea and Stone - highlight her enthusiastic fascination with historic Celtic Christianity. That interest fuels the small group pilgrimages she leads every summer to the sacred Isle of Iona (Scotland). Tracy was Director of Christian Formation at John Brown University for 26 years, and now in retirement with her husband, Cary, enjoys fussing over their four young granddaughters.

Meet our Program Directors for The Formation Writers Guild-a year-long guided journey for writers who sense a vocational call within the field of Christian spiritual formation. We are so grateful for their dedication to making this dream a reality! Interested in what their dream turned into? Listen to our latest podcast episode on 'Things Above' or visit our website!

Learn more:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-guild/
Apply now:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-cohort-application/

Meet Susan and Patrick Schnieders, two of our intensive speakers for TAG 2026! Register at https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/

Patrick and Susan Schnieders currently co-pastor Christian Fellowship Church in Eldora, Iowa. This is a second half of life vocation after Patrick’s 26+ years with the US postal service and Susan’s 17+ years in client care management in Manhattan, KS where they raised their family and spent many years in bi-vocational ministry in various contexts and traditions (including a church plant and a house church). They passionately believe that the church ought to and can function as a family. Contrary to the idea that spiritual formation is primarily an individual endeavor, they teach and use “rhythms of attention” in small group settings as a communal spiritual formation tool to help God’s people grow in their discipleship to Jesus and love for one another.
Both Patrick and Susan have master’s degrees from Friends University in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. Susan served as a teaching fellow for the same program for 5 years, and they have returned annually to present the rhythms of attention at the final residency of the master’s CSFL program. Patrick, who is also a spiritual director, has an additional master’s in Christian ministry from Abilene Christian University.

Applications Are Now Open! We are excited to announce the launch of the Formation Writers Guild—a year-long guided journey for writers who sense a vocational call within the field of Christian spiritual formation.

The Guild is designed to help writers:
-Deepen their faith
-Develop their craft
-Expand their reach through publication

Through monthly teaching, small-group writing cohorts, personal coaching, and in-person residencies, participants will be formed as writers whose work can contribute meaningfully to the ongoing Christian spiritual formation movement.

Learn more:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-guild/
Apply now:
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-cohort-application/

James Bryan Smith and Emily P. Freeman announce the launch of the Formation Writers Guild. The guild is a year-long guided journey for writers who sense a vocational call within the field of Christian spiritual formation and want to deepen their faith, develop their craft, and expand their reach through publication. Listen to learn all about the vision and mission behind the Formation Writers Guild and apply today!

Learn more: https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-guild/
Click here to apply: https://apprenticeinstitute.org/formation-writers-cohort-application/

With 3 Months and 26 days until TAG, we have under 100 spots left. Now’s the time to claim your seat at this year's Apprentice Gathering. Join us for a time of community, learning, and intentional growth—you won’t want to hear about it after it’s over.

Register today!
https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/

Meet Steve Porter, one of our intensive speakers for TAG 2026! Register at https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/

Steve L. Porter is the Senior Research Fellow and Executive Director of the Martin Institute for Christianity & Culture at Westmont College. Steve remains an affiliate Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation at the Institute for Spiritual Formation, Biola University. Steve received his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Southern California under Dallas Willard and M.Phil. in philosophical theology at the University of Oxford. Steve teaches and writes in Christian spiritual formation, the doctrine of sanctification, the integration of psychology and theology, and philosophical theology. Steve has co-edited Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue (IVP), Neuroscience and the Soul (Eerdmans), and Until Christ is Formed in You: Dallas Willard and Spiritual Formation (ACU Press) as well as authoring other books and articles. Steve is cofounder of the Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach, a grade 6–12 charter school committed to an intellectual virtues educational model. Steve also serves as the editor of Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Steve is married to Alicia and lives in Long Beach, California when not in Santa Barbara.

Don’t come alone—bring a friend and experience the Apprentice Gathering side by side. It’s always better in community.

Don't miss the chance to be in the room with us. Register today for The Apprentice Gathering 2026. https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/

Real stories from real attendees of the Apprentice Gathering. These stories are why we gather.
Don't miss the chance to be in the room with us. Register today for The Apprentice Gathering 2026. https://apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering/