Spiritual Direction
Attunement
Discernment
Abiding
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction – sometimes known as spiritual companioning, is a one-on-one meeting with another, or with a group who is prayerfully listening with the purpose of seeking and noticing the Holy Spirit’s movements as one shares. The director isn’t taking a place of authority—he or she is listening and directing the other person(s) to the Holy Spirit, who does the deep ministry within us.
While God moves through our worship, Scripture, circumstances, and people, in spiritual direction, we also recognize that the Spirit moves just as powerfully through the way we listen and respond. This practice offers the opportunity to regularly issue an invitation to see God at work in the ordinary and extraordinary of your life.
The meetings aren’t about having an accountability partner, a mentor, or a counselor. It’s a time when our eyes are opened to the ways God is ever-present and faithful, continually loving, inviting, and forming us into His image and drawing us into union with Him.
As Susan Currie says, “Spiritual direction is God-oriented rather than goal-oriented—giving one’s attention to God rather than to a particular problem that needs to be fixed or behavior that needs to be modified. It is responsive rather than directive, listening together to the Holy Spirit’s presence and ways rather than the director telling the directee what to do. It is about listening with—together noticing senses of God’s voice and direction—rather than talking to.”
What are the logistics of Spiritual Direction?
Meetings occur regularly, usually monthly and for one hour. What is shared is confidential. Sometimes the relationship can last for less than a year or sometimes for many years. I will periodically check in to discuss how things are going and invite feedback. I commit to regularly praying for you between meetings and be available should the need arise.
What are the actual meetings like?
Usually there’s a time of silent prayer to quiet the soul and begin noticing the presence of the triune God, and allow for the Spirit to set the direction of the discussion. The “directee” is free to share what is present to them in their emotional, vocational, relational, and spiritual life. The director listens prayerfully, responding with observations and questions, allowing exploration of the leading of the Holy Spirit together. The conversation can take many forms and there may be times of silence, laughter, tears, and prayer.
Contact Me
To explore meeting for Spiritual Direction, or you are looking for a Retreat guide, or a Training Workshop for your church or organization, schedule a consultation to discuss how we might work together.