Spiritual Counselor Training FAQ

FAQ Index

Why does the spiritual counselor training conclude with ordination?

What makes this a new kind of spiritual ministry?

What do ministers say about their spiritual counselor training experience?

Can Pathways of Light ministers officiate weddings in Canada?

Is Spiritual Relationship Counselor Training available to Pathways of Light spiritual counselors?

What is included with each course?

What is this new spiritual ministry all about?

How are the courses facilitated? How do I learn to facilitate courses?

How does Pathways of Light support your ministry?

How do I become an Ordained Ministerial Counselor?

How long does it take to complete the spiritual counselor training?

May I take these courses from my home?

Are Pathways of Light programs for you?

What are the benefits I will gain from these courses?

Can anyone take these courses?

I am interested in both Minister/Spiritual Counselor Training and Miracles Practitioner training. Which should I do first?

Can I take these courses for personal growth through self-study without facilitation?

What is the value of taking these courses with facilitation?

How do credentialed correspondence courses work and how do I get started?

May I take an individual course?

Why become an ordained minister?

What is the Pathways of Light Satisfaction Guarantee?

Frequently Asked Questions
About Spiritual Counselor Training

Why does the spiritual counselor training conclude with ordination?

ACIM tells us we all "…are among the ministers of God." Our role "…was selected by the Voice for God…." (W-154.2:1) In the world, ordained minister status offers permission to provide spiritual counseling without requiring government licensing. It also offers legal authorization to officiate weddings in the US and many other countries. Pathways of Light Ordained Ministerial Counselors (OMC) also have options to serve as chaplains, provide hospice support, and offer prison ministries. They may also officiate baptisms, funerals, memorial services and other ceremonies of transition.

What makes this a new kind of spiritual ministry?

Inspired by the principles presented in A Course in Miracles, this ministry training focuses on accepting the mind healing that is guided by the Teacher within, the Holy Spirit. Allowing our minds to be healed supports our spiritual transformation. It is an ongoing process that empowers us to release blocks that interfere with knowing our true Source of Love within. As our minds are healed, we become Holy Spirit’s instruments of healing.

The training helps to remove the blocks to your inner Teacher’s guidance, making it possible for you to assist others on their journey. Rather than needing to dispense advice and provide answers, the Holy Spirit uses you as a communicator of His wisdom to help the student strengthen their own connection to their Teacher within. The Holy Spirit’s guidance will always be loving and helpful.

What do ministers say about their spiritual counselor training experience?

Click here to listen to recordings of the ordination ceremonies that conclude the spiritual counselor training. New ministers share about the training experience and what ordination as a Pathways of Light Ordained Ministerial Counselor means to them.

Can Pathways of Light ministers officiate weddings in Canada?

Through an affiliation with the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry, Canadian Pathways of Light ministers can register to officiate weddings in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Ontario residents may also register through the Bancroft Spiritual Centre. Click here to email the Bancroft Spiritual Centre for more information.

Is Spiritual Relationship Counselor Training available to Pathways of Light spiritual counselors?

After your ordination, you may take the Spiritual Relationship Counselor Training to expand your ministry. To view more information about this counselor training, click here.

What is included with each course?

Correspondence Course MaterialsEach course is available in either binder or downloadable e-course format.

What is this new spiritual ministry all about?

This ministerial training is a commitment to your true Self. The curriculum is for your ongoing awakening to the truth about yourself and others. It means letting go of the idea that ministers are preachers and replacing that with ministers as people acknowledging their continuing process of strengthening their connection with Inner Wisdom, and helping others do the same.

The Counselor/Minister training provides tools for your own deepening communication with Inner Wisdom so that you can be Spirit’s mirror reflecting the innate innocence of everyone.

How are the courses facilitated? How do I learn to facilitate courses?

As a Pathways of Light facilitator, a minister does not “teach” the courses, but rather guides the participants in discovering the Holy Spirit — the Teacher within them. This involves leading participants through reading and discussion, and facilitating experiential processes. The minister/counselor develops such qualities as unconditional love, trust, patience, defenselessness and following the guidance of the Christ Mind within. Developing these qualities empowers others by demonstration.

After you have completed the courses in Step 4, you are certified to facilitate most of the spiritual counselor training courses to others, offer the Accessing Inner Wisdom Counseling as well as offer the Spiritual Awakening and Healing Inner Child 8-week programs.

How does Pathways of Light support your ministry?

Ministers have the option to be included on the Pathways of Light website with a photo and the services they offer. Pathways also provides professionally designed and personalized fliers, brochures and other materials to help you inform others about your services as a minister.

Our extensive website with over 2000 pages attracts thousands of visitors every day who are interested in spiritual growth, learning more about A Course in Miracles, or looking for services such as counseling or wedding officiating.

Pathways ministers who facilitate courses receive payment for their services. For example, with correspondence course 132, which requires 2-3 hours of facilitation time, the minister receives $70 (total course cost is $135). If the student wants additional time, compensation is arranged directly with the minister.

How do I become an Ordained Ministerial Counselor?

After you have completed the credentialed courses in Steps 1-4, you will have fulfilled the requirements for ordination as a Pathways of Light Ordained Ministerial Counselor. This status allows you to legally offer Accessing Inner Wisdom counseling and officiate weddings as an ordained minister of Pathways of Light.

How long does it take to complete the spiritual counselor training?

Many people take about a year to complete the 22 courses. Since you set your own pace, you can take as long as you wish. There is no requirement to complete the courses within a set time.

May I take these courses from my home?

Yes. The spiritual counselor training curriculum courses are taken through correspondence. You communicate with your minister by telephone or by video conference (e.g Zoom or Skype).

Step 4 courses are offered through group teleconference with other students.

Are Pathways of Light programs for you?

The following statements may resonate with you: I have a great desire to experience more peace and joy in my life. I am willing to look at my limited thinking and let myself be led to the awareness of my True Self. I know that when I share what I am learning with others, I strengthen it in myself. I want to teach what I need to learn. I feel drawn to Pathways of Light courses by my Inner Guidance.

What are the benefits I will gain from these courses?

Pathways of Light courses help you get in touch with your Inner Guidance. As you do the experiential processes in each course, you are led to:

The Pathways of Light courses, if taken with a facilitator, include certification which applies toward satisfying the prerequisites for the Minister Training Curriculum.

Can anyone take these courses?

Yes, the material and processes presented in the courses are designed to help each person awaken to the truth about themselves and become aware of their Source of Love within. The courses are taken by people new to a spiritual focus as well as people who have spent years with meditation, metaphysical study or A Course in Miracles. The courses are experiential and the focus is on allowing Inner Guidance to lead the way.

I am interested in both Minister/Spiritual Counselor Training and Miracles Practitioner training. Which should I do first?

Most people take the Minister/Spiritual Counselor Training first. This training focuses on strengthening your connection with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and helps you remove the blocks to the awareness of Love's Presence, as well as training you to facilitate most of the minister training courses. In addition it also leads to ordination which qualifies you to officiate weddings.

After your ordination, you are eligible to take the Relationship Enhancement Counselor Training.

The Miracles Practitioner training offers in-depth study of key principles of A Course in Miracles with many experiential exercises plus guided meditations, a laminated poster and laminated reminder cards to use to help you apply these principles in your daily life. It does not lead to ordination. Minister Training is not required to take any of the Miracles Practitioner courses.

Click here for more information about the Miracles Practitioner courses and frequently asked questions.

Can I take these courses for personal growth through self-study without facilitation?

Yes, although you will not receive the certification needed to meet requirements for spiritual counselor training or ordination.

Many have found that upgrading to facilitated correspondence brings their experience of the courses to a much deeper level. A student who worked with a facilitator said: 
The guidance and insight of my facilitator is very motivational. Having a facilitator really makes these courses meaningful. It would be challenging to have the same benefit without one. — P.B.

If you later decide that you would like the added support of facilitation to your course experience and to receive course certification, you can upgrade at any time. Simply call the Pathways of Light office to upgrade. Order Self-Study Courses.

What is the value of taking these courses with facilitation?

The processes contained in these courses are greatly enhanced when shared with a trained minister. Because the courses lead you into sincere self-evaluation of beliefs, fears and seeing your barriers to Love, it can be helpful to have a trained professional to guide you through this process. They have already personally experienced the course, and are trained to help you gain the most from the material and processes. Because this interaction is omitted in self-study, you will find the course is greatly enriched with facilitation. As you join together with Spirit, a wonderful synergy occurs.

Many find when working on their own that there is a tendency to delay or put off working with the material. The “to do” list becomes too long. These are forms of resistance that the ego uses to keep us locked in our old, unhealthy patterns. It is helpful to recognize these forms of resistance and know that moving through the resistance will take you to great healing. When resistance comes, it is wonderful to have a trained partner who can help you walk through it to the light on the other side.

How do credentialed correspondence courses work and how do I get started?

Before you order your course(s), you need to select your facilitator. Click here to view a list of ministers with contact information, who are available to facilitate courses. Let yourself be guided as you browse the directory to select a facilitator you feel drawn to. We recommend that you contact them to confirm they are available to facilitate you.

When you order your courses, you indicate the facilitator you have chosen. (e.g. To order the first package of courses, click the link “Step 1 Discount” in the column at right.) Throughout the course, you contact your facilitator to share on the processes and the course material you have completed.

The correspondence courses allow for 2-3 hours of one-on-one facilitated time. For details, see the course descriptions by clicking on the course titles at right.

May I take an individual course?

Yes, you may take any course that does not have a prerequisite, whether or not you plan to take the full curriculum. Many of the courses offer practical skills you can apply immediately in your life that will help you improve your relationships and live more peacefully. (Prerequisites are listed with the course descriptions at right.)

Why become an ordained minister?

Many have found that the best way to accelerate their spiritual growth is to pass it on. Not only does sharing it remind you of what you are wanting to reinforce in your life, but you have the joy of connecting with others who also want to wake up to awareness of their true Self. The joy and fulfillment that comes with training yourself to be a vehicle for spiritual awakening is beyond words.

What is the Pathways of Light Satisfaction Guarantee?

If you are not completely satisfied with any Pathways of Light course, home study, self-study program, or product, return it within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price (shipping not included).