What is this?
Spiritual Formation is defined as: the process of listening and being attentive to how God is with us now and always. In Spiritual Formation we are being formed by God in our listening to how the Holy Spirit is calling, shaping and leading us. The Creator, the Savior, the Advocate are speaking to us with a basic message of love for us, for all people, and all creation. Spiritual formation can occur in one with one, in groups and in community. Spiritual Formation is shaped by intentional practices of prayer, silent listening, meditation and scripture reading. The goal is to lead a more contemplative life and to allow the Holy Spirit to form our character to love God, others, all people and the earth and all creatures. Spiritual Formation always leads us outward in service and care for others and all people.
Our Director
The Reverend Doctor J. Richard Eckert
The Reverend Doctor J. Richard Eckert was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on June 23, 1974. Following his ordination, he was called to serve as Pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Penbrook, Pennsylvania where he served from July 1, 1974, until June 30, 1992.
In March 1992, Pastor Eckert accepted a new call to serve as Pastor of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Middletown, Pennsylvania. He began his ministry there on July 1, 1992, and served the congregation until his retirement on October 31, 2021. During these years, he also provided leadership beyond the local congregation, serving as Dean of the Harrisburg Conference and completing four three-year terms on the Synod Council.
Following his retirement on November 1, 2021, Pastor Eckert continued to serve the church. From January 1, 2023, through May 31, 2025, he was honored to serve as Interim Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Liverpool, Pennsylvania. Throughout his pastoral ministry, Pastor Eckert has been deeply committed to the study and practice of spiritual formation. He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg on May 16, 1986. His three-year program focused on the role of spiritual formation in the art of preaching.
He continued his formation at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, earning certificates in Spiritual Direction, Group Spiritual Direction, Contemplative Leadership, and Embracing the Call of the Holy Spirit. In June 2023, he completed a two-year program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, in Hickory, North Carolina receiving certification as a Spiritual Director. In each congregation he has served, Pastor Eckert has offered individual Spiritual Direction, Group Spiritual Direction, and Contemplative Worship services, nurturing deeper spiritual growth within the body of Christ.
Pastor Eckert and his wife, Kathryn, have been blessed with 53 years of faithful marriage. Together they have three children: Anne, Assistant to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University; Emily, a kindergarten teacher at Sara Lindemuth/Anna Carter Primary School in Susquehanna Township; and Andrew, who works in musical theater and resides in New York City.
Pastor Eckert is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Pastor for Spiritual Formation at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Camp Hill. He prays that the Holy Spirit will guide and enrich the congregation’s growth in faith and spiritual formation.
