About CFDM Northwest

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. We train spiritual directors in the Pacific Northwest, and the U.S., to companion others on their journey with God.

Our Mission

Our mission is to encourage Christian soul formation by focusing on practices, disciplines, and ways of being that enable us to hear, see, and respond to God’s invitation to deepen our relationship with the Trinity. Our Spiritual Formation program offers immersive learning experiences for nurturing a healthy Christian spirituality, while our contemplative Spiritual Direction and Supervision programs provide resources, support, and training for those called to the ministry of spiritual direction.

Our Vision

Our vision as leaders and faculty of CFDM Northwest is to see students grow in their knowledge and experience of God--Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is our hope that, as they “go deeper with God” by learning and practicing the traditional disciplines of the Christian faith in an intentional community, they will more easily discern the actions and nudges of God in their own lives and become increasingly able to help others on the journey of faith.

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.

We also hope to develop networks of spiritual directors who will be friends, guides and co-laborers with God in helping others grow into deeper love for God and formed into the image and likeness of Jesus. Through CFDM, individual Christians will find personal support and encouragement to help them live out the Christian life. Churches of many denominations will be called to work together, sharing faith traditions and giving witness to the world of the unifying love of God in Christ.

Our Story

CFDM was formed in 2001 by Douglas and Catherine Gregg to help “lead others into a renewed love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through spiritual formation and the art of spiritual direction.” The Rev. Dr. Catherine Gregg is Canon for the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. Dr. Gregg is a Presbyterian minister and Certified Teacher of Contemplative Outreach. Both have served as seminary educators. 

The central focus of the vision the Greggs had was to “establish and develop relational networks of spiritual directors in regions in the western United States for purposes of continuing education and formation, referral, and partnership for spiritual directors. Toward this purpose, training programs in Christian formation and spiritual direction have been offered, along with ongoing supervision, and continuing support, encouragement, and enrichment for spiritual directors.”  The specific “training of spiritual directors” is a major thrust of CFDM and is supportive of the central value of developing relational networks of spiritual directors. Many members of the current networks have been trained in other programs, and we have consciously avoided developing training programs in areas that already have excellent resources. The classic ancient practices of the Christian faith, and an appreciation of distinct and complementary historic streams of the Christian faith, ground our Formation program.

CFDM Northwest was the first of five regions established, followed by Southern California, Central California, Arizona and Nevada, with the possibility of more in the future. Douglas retired from overall leadership of CFDM in 2019 at 78 years of age, and he passed away in 2023. For a list of CFDM regional affiliates please visit our Resources page.

The purpose of CFDM 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 Believe

Those involved with CFDM believe the Bible is the Word of God. We also believe in the historic creeds of the Christian faith, beginning with the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed that you see below was written in the 4th century to unify the church concerning the true nature of Jesus Christ - fully human, fully divine.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.