Spiritual Direction is an ancient Christian tradition in which one person invites another to accompany them as they seek to enter a closer and more vibrant relationship with God. A spiritual director is someone who is trained and gifted to listen, discern, ask questions, and walk with another as they grow in their faith and deepen in their awareness of God’s presence and activity throughout the world.
Together the “director” and the “directee” listen to the true director, the Holy Spirit, for God’s presence, invitations, and movement in the directee’s life. While this listening time together is contemplative and reflective in nature, it results in a more purposeful and grounded engagement and loving involvement with God in the world.
In a direction session, all of life is welcomed, for God is present to all things at all times. This means that directees can discuss issues of suffering, frustration, anger, joy, gratitude, curiosity, fear, growth, and decision making. These issues and others often surface in life, work, ministry, and relationships or as the directee notices their own inner heart responses to God during prayer or journaling.
It is important to note, Spiritual Direction is not counseling, discipleship, mentoring, pastoral care, teaching, or coaching. While there may be overlap at times, direction is a unique type of relationship. The agenda is set by the Holy Spirit and the directee. The focus is on listening, and the role of the director is to travel alongside – not lead. The director most often offers questions, not answers. Spiritual Directors are a loving, prayerful presence as their directees seek to grow in God.
