Dr. Mercadante gives sessions in four main topic areas:

Workshops are appropriate for therapists, pastoral counselors, recovering persons, spiritual seekers, congregations, clergy, writers, adult groups, youth ministers and adult education instructors.

Her sessions can be configured to meet the needs and abilities of your group.  Click on the topic area titles to see brief descriptions of workshops in that area. Please contact Dr. Mercadante for more details. Ask for a no-charge consultation to see how these sessions can be tailored to suit your unique situation.

Spirituality & Addiction Recovery

“A Circle of Spiritual Guidance”
Dr. Mercadante has created a process to help recovering persons move deeper into their spirituality.  Helpful for both counselors and those in recovery.

“Religious & Theological Roots of the 12-Step Approach”
A program enabling providers, clergy and recovering persons to understand the conceptual and practical roots of AA.

“The Spiritual Roots of Addiction & Recovery”
Dr. Mercadante shows how avoiding sharp dichotomies allows us to gain much more from a spiritual approach to addiction treatment.  This background will enable providers to better serve both religious and non-religious clients.

“Spirituality, Victimization and Trauma”
Dr. Mercadante helps providers give spiritual basis to such psychological concepts as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Helpful for recovering persons, clergy and therapists.

“Getting Some Traction: Ideas of Sin & Addiction”
Dr. Mercadante shows there are some surprising areas of conceptual overlap between the ideas of sin and of addition — with important practical effects. Especially useful for clergy and counselors.

“Helping Addicts Move Beyond the Spiritual Wading Pool”
How do we help addicts recover meaning and purpose in life, mature spiritually, and connect with a spiritual heritage?  A useful seminar for counselors and recovering persons alike.

Spiritual But Not Religious [SBNR]

Many people today claim to be “spiritual but not religious.”  They avoid dogmatism, shun institutionalism, practice a variety of spiritualities and draw from many wells.  How did this movement start and what can we learn from it?  Most important, how can we serve the needs of this growing group of determined seekers?

Dr. Mercadante is interviewing people all around the U.S. and Canada who call themselves “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR).  Email her today to set up an interview or to invite her to speak to your group about this growing and important movement.

Available Topics:
“Who are the Spiritual But Not Religious?” [SNBR]
“Many Journeys – Many Practices”
“Meeting and Serving SBNR Folk”
“The Background of the SBNR Movement”

Sample Her Research on the “SBNR” phenomenon:

Hear Dr. Mercadante’s radio interview on the “SBNR” movement with Fred Andrle of “Open Line” at WOSU AM, an National Public Radio affiliate:
http://www.wosu.org/radio/radio-open-line/?archive=1&date=06/10/2008

Read the front-page article about Dr. Mercadante’s project in the Boulder (Colorado) Daily Camera:
http://www.mtso.edu/main/bouldermercadante4-27-08.pdf

Read the PCNews Online article that was picked up by many other websites:
http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2008/08779.htm

News Flash:

Dr. Mercadante awarded Henry Luce III Fellowship in Theology for her work on “Spiritual But Not Religious”                                 

Project Summary:

Linda A. Mercadante, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Unfettered Belief, Untethered Practice: Thinking Theologically about ‘Spiritual but not Religious’

Non-religious spiritual seekers claim doctrine is far less important than—even non-essential to—spiritual practice. Yet I sense an alternative meta-narrative developing among the “spiritual but not religious” [SBNR]. This influential ethos has definite theological implications, challenging and offering opportunities to Christianity especially in the areas of epistemology and concept of God. Ironically, in spite of its anti-hegemonic self-presentation, the SBNR ethos actually homogenizes and markets the voice of disparate spiritual “others” while championing hybridity and anti-dogmatism. I address the emerging narrative theologically, focusing on the four main conceptual areas of transcendence, human nature, community, and life-after-death. Preliminary analysis shows an emerging picture, including: a) a transcendent dimension consisting of an unknowable, impersonal, universal energy source; b) an ephemeral human nature with the eventual dissolution of identity in death, potentially with an amorphous energy dissipated or re-invested, and c) a restless search for community which often replicates a societal desire for more freedom, less commitment and minimally invasive contact. My approach includes in-depth interviews, observation, online and print research, blog conversation, and site visits. Early analysis of the first 60 interviews across North America also indicates an underlying eagerness among some SBNRs to excavate and examine belief.  See “Resources” page for press release.

Spirituality and Narrative

Would you like to “come home” to your spirit?
Learn how the stories in film and memoir can help.

Dr. Mercadante shows you how narratives tap into your spiritual center.

“The Healing Power of Narrative”

  • Using film, she will guide you in theological discussion to gain a deeper knowledge of your hopes and dreams.
  • Using writing, she will help you tap into your own story. Share life lessons with other participants and gain new insights into your spiritual journey.
  • Writers especially value Dr. Mercadante’s insights into the creative process and examples from her recently published spiritual memoir Bloomfield Avenue: A Jewish-Catholic Jersey Girl’s Spiritual Journey.

“Why We Go to the Movies”
Are movies just mere entertainment, or are we seeking more there? Join Dr. Mercadante in exploring why visual images are so compelling and often filled with spiritual import.

“Faith & Film”
Movies can be used to tap into our deepest spiritual longings.  Learn how this process works and how theological themes can be explored through film.  Dr. Mercadante can also train you to use film as a tool for theological discussion, a helpful process for youth group leaders, clergy, pastoral counselors, and adult education teachers.

“Movies that Make Us Laugh, Feel Good, & Think”
We are often drawn to “feel good” films, as well as films that make us laugh, and there are good reasons for that.  But some films also raise important theological themes that can be explored as a way to understand our culture and ourselves.

“Jesus & Christ Figures in Film”
Jesus and Christ figures have long been a staple of modern cinemetography.  Learn why that is, the history of this phenomenon, and how the filmic image of Jesus changes with the changing times.

“Finding Your Spirit through Life-Writing”
Writing about your own life-journey pays huge dividends in mental and spiritual health. Dr. Mercadante can tailor a spiritual memoir writing workshop for your group, lasting from just a few hours, to a weekend retreat, or a week-long course. Dr. Mercadante will also share the strategies she developed in writing her own memoir, Bloomfield Avenue: A Jewish-Catholic Jersey Girl’s Spiritual Journey, so you can begin this creative process with confidence.

“Writing as a Spiritual Practice”
Writing is an amazing spiritual practice, a creative process, and not as daunting as many fear.  Dr. Mercadante will guide you through exercises that get you started and keep you going.  She can also help you start a writer’s group that keeps the creativity going.

Spirituality and Theology

Beliefs and spirituality are intimately related. Such issues as gender roles, reproductive loss (infertility, miscarriage, etc), and ethnic heritage impact our growth, sometimes making it a challenge to find a spiritual “home.”  By using story, theology, and history, Dr. Mercadante will help you break free of constraining ideas so you can move toward spiritual liberation.

“Connecting Gender & Theology”
Dr. Mercadante will explain how gender has long been a category both used and misused in theology and spirituality.

“The Shakers Revolutionary God Imagery”
Did you know that the Shakers understood God as “Father-Mother?” See how this affected their lives and social structures.

“Exploring Your Spiritual & Cultural Heritage”
Dr. Mercadante will help you explore how your ethnic, religious and cultural heritage affects your spirituality.

“Healthy Theology for Women”
Learn how you can reframe your beliefs to liberate your spirit in a way that is both doctrinally and personally responsible.

“Liberating Themes in Christian Theology”
Let Dr. Mercadante reveal the liberating themes in Christian theology which can enhance your spiritual growth and personal freedom.

“Immigrants as Spiritual Pilgrims”
Explore how immigrants can be spiritual role-models if we allow ourselves to hear their stories.

“The Spiritual Trauma of Domestic Violence”
Domestic violence is often a hidden problem in congregations, yet it  is a spiritual trauma for everyone involved.  Learn how good theology can help prevent and heal this tragedy.

“Spiritual Issues in Reproductive Loss”
Reproductive loss (infertility, miscarriage, etc.) is often the silent problem in many congregations.  Yet it raises crucial theological issues which, when gracefully dealt with, can lead to spiritual growth.

“Spiritual Gifts in Adoption”
Learn how the reality and metaphor of adoption can be spiritually enlivening.