Frequently Asked Questions

Formation communities can help you to experience seminary in a collective and communal way.  Often, members develop meaningful peer relationships that both support and anchor them as they pursue graduate studies, discern their ministerial call, and deepen their connection with God. Each community is spiritually supported by fellow members, a seasoned chaplain, monthly group spiritual direction, and participation in spiritual retreats throughout the academic year. Members meet weekly to participate in community life centered around their theme or focus. This can include shared meals, prayer, celebration, service to the community, etc.

Residential formation communities are for students who have a deep desire to experience intentional and communal living.  This requires a willingness to be flexible and communicative, as well as having a strong commitment to fellowship and community care.

Neighboring communities and virtual communities are for students who have a deep desire for community companionship that is both spiritual and social in nature and want to be rooted in an intentional community of peers while managing various external responsibilities and commitments.

All communities agree to a set of community commitments that anchors the community and the formation process that include program requirements as well as commitments to the practices of fellowship, reconciliation and presence.

If you would like to schedule a virtual discernment session to explore if Candler’s Formation Communities program is right for you, please reach out and contact Natasha Burrowes at natasha.burrowes@emory.edu or 404-727-0813.

All formation community members must go through an annual selection process during each spring semester. The application consists of personal information, program preferences and five essay questions (100-300 words) that are the heart of the application. All applicants must also complete a 20-minute Zoom interview with a selection committee member.  Applications for priority consideration for new members are due March 29, 2026.

We will accept applications on a rolling basis, but please keep in mind residential communities may be full. Applicants that submit applications by the priority consideration deadline of March 29 are notified of final decisions in mid-April.

Interested applicants (current and incoming students) may apply now.

Spiritual formation and being in community require time to cultivate and nurture in intentional ways. All formation communities create by consensus a unique set of community commitments that shape and form their life and engagement with each other for the academic year. Formation community members are expected to invest in the community by honoring the community agreements with their presence, gifts and engagement.

For the residential communities, the time commitment can vary by community and can range from 6-12 hours/month for weekly gatherings (including regular group spiritual direction and monthly house business meeting). The nature of weekly gatherings is determined by the community and inspired by its focus. These weekly gatherings could include prayer, a shared meal, service in the community, celebration, etc. In addition to weekly gatherings, other required participation throughout the year includes program onboarding, three spiritual retreats, and a celebration at the end of the year.

For neighboring communities and virtual formation communities, the time commitment is 4-5 hours/month for weekly gatherings (including regular group spiritual direction). The nature of weekly gatherings is determined by the community and inspired by its focus.  These weekly gatherings could include prayer, a shared meal, service in the community, celebration, etc. In addition to weekly gatherings, other required participation throughout the year includes program onboarding, three retreats, and a celebration at the end of the year.

On the main formation communities webpage, you can find links to details on the various residences.  Rental prices are estimates and subject to change. All residential formation community members are responsible for shared costs around rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, and internet. There are also various collective agreements members make around communal living arrangements that include food and personal property sharing, noise levels, guests, household chores, temperature expectations, etc. Most, if not all, houses will have furniture left from previous tenants, but furnished houses are not guaranteed and are the responsibility of the residents. Residents are responsible for purchasing a mattress and our office can provide assistance.

All lease agreements are with external property managers and they begin on August 1. Members are responsible for expenses for the entirety of the lease. All leases are for 12 months, with the exception of Bethany Community, St. Clare Community and Tubman-Thurman-Tutu Community which are 10-month leases with the option to extend through the summer contingent on program renewal acceptance. 

All formation community members are invited to renew membership in the program if they desire from year to year. Acceptance is not automatic nor guaranteed and based on program participation criteria.

Each formation community has 3-5 members. Residential formation communities have no more than 5 members and all members have their own room.

New communities form each year based on student interest and program goals. If you have an idea for a formation community or you’d like to start one, we’d love to hear about it! Let us know on our interest form.

In addition to our current communities, the new communities that will be forming next year include:

• Baptist Studies Community: Forming in the spirit of communal witness, scriptural commitment and personal faith rooted in Baptist traditions
• Eco-Spiritual Community: Forming in the spirit of tending to God’s creation and connection to God through the natural world
• Oscar Romero Community: Forming in the spirit of liberation theology and solidarity with Latine communities
• Peacebuilding Community: Forming in the spirit of nonviolence and justice making
• St. Vedast Community: Forming in the spirit of ecumenical dialogue

These potential new communities could be residential, neighboring or virtual and will depend on the level of interest in this year’s applicant pool.