Spiritual Mentorship for Pastors

In Saint Louis, Missouri

Spiritual Direction and Formation

The Center for Spiritual Formation and Retreat

Offers spiritual direction, formation cohorts, and guided retreats. Pastors can find intentional, non-judgmental spaces to explore their faith journey, join practice-based communal groups, and take time away for rest and renewal.

The Center was founded in 2022 by Elizabeth and Michael Palmer, who moved to St. Louis following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Their vision is to create a space where people can be rooted in love and formed in wholeness.

https://www.thecenterstl.org

Aquinas Institute of Theology

Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction
A formal academic program preparing individuals to serve as spiritual directors. Pastors can gain training to guide others in discerning God’s presence and growing in Christian maturity. The Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction is designed to prepare individuals—especially pastors, ministry leaders, and lay ministers—to serve as spiritual directors. It emphasizes the art of listening, discernment, and guiding others in their relationship with God.

https://www.ai.edu/academics/graduate-certificate-programs/graduate-certificate-of-spiritual-direction

Pastoral Mentoring and Education Programs

Concordia Seminary – Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program A four-year program combining online coursework with local pastor-mentors who provide day-to-day guidance, encouragement, and prayer. Designed for pastors in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The SMP program is designed to prepare men for pastoral ministry in specific contexts within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). It emphasizes mentorship, theological education, and practical ministry experience so pastors can serve effectively in their local congregations while continuing their formation.

https://www.csl.edu/academics/programs/specific-ministry-pastor-smp/

Catholic Renewal Center-Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri

Provides private rooms for spiritual direction, prayer spaces, and seminars such as Life in the Spirit. Their mission is to deepen understanding of the Holy Spirit’s gifts and fruits, fostering discipleship and renewal.

The CRC’s mission is to “stir into flame the grace of Pentecost within and beyond the Church”, calling forth the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to build up the Kingdom of God. It emphasizes that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the inheritance of all Christians, empowering disciples to make disciples.

https://www.archstl.org/about/offices-and-agencies/catholic-renewal-center/

Assumption-Mattese Catholic Church

Rita Baughman Certified lay spiritual director commissioned by Archbishop Rozanski. Offers one-on-one spiritual companionship to help pastors discern the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. Rita offers confidential sessions where pastors, parishioners, and seekers can reflect on their spiritual journey. She listens deeply and helps Pastors recognize God’s movement in their lives. Rita’s ministry is rooted in the parish community, making spiritual direction accessible to both clergy and lay members.

https://assumptionstl.org/people/rita-baughman

SSM Health-Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Offers accredited pastoral education programs focusing on pastoral skills, theological reflection, communication, and relational competence in clinical settings. Ideal for pastors seeking mentorship in hospital chaplaincy and spiritual care. The CPE program at SSM Health is designed to provide professional education for ministry in clinical settings. It equips pastors, chaplains, seminarians, and lay ministers with the skills to offer spiritual care in hospitals, hospices, and other health-related environments.

https://www.ssmhealth.com/resources-for-health-professionals/education/clinical-pastoral-education

Covenant Theological Seminary

Provides whole-person training for pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders. Emphasizes biblical training, ministry skills, and spiritual growth to prepare leaders for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Founded in 1956, Covenant Seminary is rooted in Reformed theology and emphasizes “whole-person training”—equipping leaders not only with biblical knowledge but also with spiritual maturity and ministry. Rooted in grace for a lifetime of ministry.
https://www.covenantseminary.edu/

St. Louis University Campus Ministry

Provides spiritual direction and companionship through campus ministers, including faculty members with theological expertise. If you want to develop a more meaningful spiritual or religious life, you may find a one-on-one relationship with a trained spiritual director beneficial. Spiritual direction creates a space for you to honestly evaluate your life, seek the meaning behind important decisions about the future and find a pathway to better understand who God is for you and who you are for God.
Contact Campus Ministry : SLU - Saint Louis University

Servant Leader Institute (SLI)

Offers a one-year, gospel-centric program for those seeking to serve in Christ, with 32 cohort meetings, 8 community nights, and weekly engagement opportunities. The Servant Leadership Institute intern track is for men or women who sense a deeper calling to serve in the body of Christ but are still in the discovery process. This track is also for those who may have a strong calling but need further equipping and practical ministry training. This is a one year track with a gospel-centric curriculum that is robust in its theology and practical application to servant leadership.
https://stlmetro.org/sli

Stephen Ministries

Provides one-to-one, Christ-centered care through trained ministers since 1975. The Stephen Leader Training Course equips leaders to begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregations, offering practical tools for caring and relating.
Stephen Ministries

National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM of St. Louis

While focused on liturgical music, NPM provides mentorship programs, networking opportunities with experienced music ministers, and ongoing support for pastoral musicians and clergy. NPM is the leading organization supporting pastoral musicians, clergy, and liturgists across the country, offering resources, training, and a strong network for those involved in church music. Locally, the St. Louis Chapter of NPM serves our region in partnership with the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Office of Divine Worship.
https://www.npmstlouis.org/about-us

St Paul Saturdays

While primarily focused on young men ages 6-17, this program at St. Paul A.M.E. Church demonstrates a strong mentoring model established in 1984 with the motto "Better to Build Men than to Mend Boys," showing the community's commitment to mentorship and spiritual enrichment. The males who participate are to learn that, ultimately, each man is responsible for his development. We provide programs and activities to give specific training, experience, instruction, and examples to achieve this purpose.
https://stpa ulamestl.net/st-paul-saturdays