Life transition for Steve Arnold has been a way of life. Learning to cope with change in a positive way has been a result of the various changes that took place in the journey:

• Steve’s family moved quite often when he was growing up and as a result he attended 14 different schools before graduating from high school.
• Steve was widowed at age 32, becoming the single parent of two pre-schoolers.
• Steve re-married and began the transition into blending two families.
• Steve served congregations (medium to large) in urban settings that were continually confronted with the reality of change.
• Steve’s doctoral dissertation explored helping adults become equipped for change.
• Steve went through a formation process to become a spiritual director, focusing upon the spiritual journey of adults.

A more detailed look:

 Steven (Steve) F. Arnold  is a diaconal minister certified as Director of Christian Education and as a Lutheran Teacher.  Steve had sixteen years of parish ministry, providing leadership and support for the spiritual formation and development of people of all ages. In addition, Steve has served for over 20 years in higher education, at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN.,developing and leading programs to equip leaders in the field of faith formation across the lifespan.

Steve is a Spiritual Director, in the Christian tradition, and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. Steve continues in ongoing personal formation as a spiritual director.  Steve’s formation as a Spiritual Director took place through The Christos Center located north of the Twin Cities.

Steve is Chair of the Board of Directors for The Youth & Family Institute.  The Youth & Family Institute follows a vision to strengthen congregations and families to nurture faith, pass on faith and live well in Christ.

Steve is noted as a retreat leader, speaker, author, chaplain and “bridge-builder.” His work has included a number of cross-cultural and international experiences of bringing Christians together from around the world to learn and grow together.

Steve’s doctoral work and research are in the areas of adult education, with emphases in self-directed learning and educational gerontology. Specific application of these studies have been made to faith formation throughout the life span. Special focus in the research has been to equip adults for developing increased responsibility for personal life and development.

This year, (2007-2008), Steve is on sabbatical from Concordia University and serving as a Chaplain Intern at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview as part of the Clinical Pastoral Education program. Steve’s goal is to learn how to walk with people spiritually in the transitions that accompany illness and change in life.