A couple weeks ago I shared a few invitations for people who may want to encounter God more deeply this year. One of those options was spiritual direction. While spiritual direction is an ancient practice and still practiced more regularly within Catholic streams of Christianity, it’s still pretty unknown to many Protestants. I wanted to take some space here to answer a few common questions and hopefully give you a picture of what spiritual direction looks like.
If any questions that I don’t address surface, please reach out and ask. And as a reminder, I’m offering a first session of spiritual direction free this month. You can sign up here or send this along to friends who might be interested as well!
Spiritual Direction FAQ
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is accompanying another on their journey towards God. It’s holding space to cultivate the awareness that God is already working and communication to us individually and to look for and respond to His presence. A Spiritual Director is an observer, a listener, a wonderer. They are listening for God on behalf of another.
Spiritual Direction is a safe space to wonder and question and reevaluate and explore our image of God. It’s a space to be encouraged and cared for and listened to. It’s a space to breathe deep, to process, to doubt, to heal, and to encounter the God who loves you.
What does a Spiritual Direction session look like?
Spiritual Direction is typically a once-a-month meeting that lasts for about an hour. You meet one on one in person or over Zoom (they both work great!).
A session usually begins by the director reading a passage of scripture, a poem, or prayer that centers us on God’s presence. Then there is space for silence as you come before God and listen for what to bring to that day’s session. When you are ready, you break the silence and begin talking while the director listens both to you and to the Holy Spirit. They will offer spiritually sensitive questions and observations. They might also encourage another period of silence for you both to listen and respond to God. The session might end with more silence, a prayer, or looking back at the session for something to be grateful for or an invitation from God.
Is Spiritual Direction the same as counseling or coaching?
No. When you come to counseling or coaching you usually have a problem to solve or something to achieve. The purpose of Spiritual Direction is to explore and foster your relationship with God. There are no goals or assignments or check ins on past conversations. A director might give suggestions of practices to try but won’t necessarily follow up unless you bring it up in a future session.
Is Spiritual Direction for me?
I say yes😊. If you could use a companion on your journey. If you could use space to process and breathe. If you want to encounter God and deepen your relationship with Him. If you need encouragement. If you need a safe space to wonder and doubt and question the faith that was handed to you.
It’s for pastors and ministry leaders who are pouring everything out without someone to pour back into them. It’s for people who are wrestling and “deconstructing” but can’t quite walk away from God. It’s for the person who loves God but isn’t sure they really know God. It’s for the person who isn’t sure God really loves them but sure hopes He does. It’s for the person who isn’t even sure there is a God but wants a space to explore. It’s for us all.
Is there a fee?
Yes. I use a sliding scale; you pay what you can between $40-$60 a session. If you are able, you can bless someone else who can’t by paying at the higher end of the scale. And if finances are an issue, don’t let that be an obstacle. We can absolutely work something out.
What are your qualifications?
I completed a 2-year training program with Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction. My training included current and classic readings on spiritual direction, gathering with a cohort for training and reflection and spiritual practices, receiving spiritual direction monthly, and regularly offering spiritual direction under supervision.
So! If this feels like something you might be interested, you can sign up for a session here.
And may you encounter the God who loves you as you make space in your schedule and your soul.