Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is having a hiking buddy to walk with you and God on life's journey.

Spiritual direction is two people listening together to the Holy Spirit. It is a unique relationship where one person accompanies another person on their spiritual journey toward ever greater attunement, openness and responsiveness to God's presence and love.

“In spiritual direction we help people notice the signposts on their spiritual journeys, and make choices at a crossroads. We sit with them, tending the campfire when they are stuck; we celebrate when 'arrivals' of some sort offer a chance of rest and refreshment, and encourage them when God interrupts their complacency and invites them out on the road again.”
~ Sue Pickering, Spiritual Direction

People often seek out spiritual direction because they yearn for a deeper, more connected life with God. Perhaps you have begun to question the meaning of your life, or want to develop a more responsive relationship with God. Spiritual direction can help a you find that meaning and connection. It can also help a you develop a set of spiritual practices that are in tune with the current realities of life, personality, and temperament.

“In spiritual direction, the question is not ‘What should be happening in my life?’
but ‘What is happening in my life?’ We look for God here, now, because the place
we are in in our lives is the place where we find God.”
~ Alice Fryling, Seeking God Together

What spiritual direction is not.

Spiritual direction is not a program or a process. Rather, in spiritual direction you spend time with God, and a spiritual director supports and encourages you. A spiritual director is not an authority or a coach. He or she does not "direct" by telling you what to do, rather he or she directs your attention to God.

In their book The Practice of Spiritual Direction, Barry and Connolly express it well:

Spiritual Direction is a helping relationship, but the help offered is more like that of a companion on a journey than of an expert who, before the journey begins, advises what roads to take and answers the travelers questions. The companion tries to help the traveler read the maps, avoid dead ends, and watch out for potholes.

Spiritual direction is not discipleship. If discipleship is a systematic process of becoming more Christ-like, then spiritual direction is more foundational. In spiritual direction you learn to know your own character–and God's–more fully. This experiential knowledge of self and God is vital. As we reveal more of our true selves to God and experience his acceptance and grace, we trust him more and more. Trust is the prerequisite for discipleship–I will not follow someone I do not trust.

Spiritual direction is not therapy. Therapy is an important and healing relationship where an expert helps you explore your thoughts, emotions, past influences, and other challenges so that you can transform and heal. Your relationship with God is not usually the focus of therapy, though it plays a vital role. In spiritual direction, however, you relationship with God is always the central thing.

If your life is a tree where all your parts are represented by branches and leaves. A therapist examines and seeks to help heal a withered leaf or a broken branch. A spiritual director compassionately watches and listens for the wind–the Holy Spirit–as he blows through your branches and helps you notice and attend to him.

The God question.

As you share your spiritual journey with your director, he or she will inevitably ask "the God question." This question can take many different forms, but it is this question that makes spiritual direction unique. Eventually your spiritual director will ask something like: "Where is God in this for you?" or "To what is God inviting you?"

This question directs your awareness towards God. It asks you to notice and attend to his presence, his word, and his leading. It also asks you to respond to him with trust, hope, and love. In this way, a spiritual director facilitates a more intimate and more real relationship with God.

Frequently asked questions.
What, why, and how?

When might you seek out a spiritual director?

When you feel “disconnected” from God, or when your relationship to him feels “distant.”
When you are questioning God's existence, plan, or love.
When you are trying to discern God’s call or plan for you.
When you are heading out on a new path of growth.
When you need to be heard by a compassionate and objective listener.
When you need wisdom.

What kinds of things will you learn in spiritual direction?

New ways to pray.
New practices for reading the bible.
New spiritual disciplines.
How to slow down so that you can consent to and engage with solitude, silence, and stillness.
How to face your false self and move toward your true self as designed by God.
Interior reflection and healing guided by the Holy Spirit.

How does it work?

We recommend you meet once or twice per month, but you may adjust that as you feel necessary. There is no required duration and some people find that only a few meetings are helpful. Yet, as is fitting for a spiritual journey, you should be open to this being a long-term relationship. Many spiritual directees continue with direction for 1-2 years or more.

Who can be a directee?

Anyone who is seeking to grow in their relationship with the triune God of the bible. There is no other criteria beyond a desire to know God the father through his son Jesus in the love of the Holy Spirit.

How much does it cost?

An initial hour-long consultation is free. Each additional session is $85.

What if I can't afford it?

We recognize that for some people, often those most in need of spiritual direction, cost is prohibitive. We desire that no one should be denied spiritual direction because of cost.

Through the generosity of many donors and other directees, we are often able to offer a sliding payment schedule for those in need. Please discuss your need with your spiritual director during your initial consultation.

What about privacy?

Your privacy is of utmost importance. You have a right to expect confidentiality of the information you share with your spiritual director. We commit to holding our conversations in the strictest confidence.

As part of their practice, your spiritual director may consult their own spiritual director regarding their work together. This is intended solely to provide additional perspective when necessary. At all times your identity will be held in confidence.

In some rare instances we are compelled to report or disclose information without your consent or authorization. These include expressions of interest to commit suicide or homicide, and abuse of a minor or the elderly.

Code of Ethics

Our spiritual directors operate by our Code of Ethics for Spiritual Directors.

Additionally our directors maintain a supervisor team that has at least one male and one female representative, and makes their contact information available to every directee. Should you ever have concerns about your director's conduct, please contact a member of their supervisory team.