Spiritual Direction involves monthly conversations and prayer with a person who has been trained to walk alongside people who are asking spiritual questions and pursuing God. It is different from mentoring, which typically involves training in a particular task or mutual participation in various activities. It also differs from counseling, which focuses on improving a particular life circumstance or relationship. In Spiritual Direction, the focus is on the process of drawing closer to God in all types of circumstances and all seasons of life. The Director is a companion on the journey who provides a regular space for exploration of God’s work in each person’s life.

Local churches offer Spiritual Direction services at no charge to anyone who has questions about faith or spiritual growth. As the coordinator and trainer for this program, I am happy to answer any questions you might have and to provide you with a 20-minute complimentary phone consultation that will help me to match you with a director whose life experiences and interests are a good fit for your current questions and goals.  Please contact me to find out more about this service.

What kinds of things does Spiritual Direction address?

Many kinds of spiritual questions or goals can provide a good beginning to a Spiritual Direction relationship. Some goal possibilities might include:

• Wanting help with discerning God’s will in life transitions;
• Desiring to grow toward a more trusting or joyful faith;
• Seeking to know what Christians believe;
• Looking for a deeper understanding of prayer or ways to read the Bible;
• Needing to develop a “rule of life” that makes sure things of eternal value are not sacrificed to busyness and distractions;
• Desiring a greater awareness of what God may be saying through the circumstances or people He’s placed in our lives;
• Wanting the comfort of knowing other believers share our struggles and journeys;
• Needing to know that there is someone praying for us, specifically; and/or
• Wanting a place to wrestle through questions about how God can be good in the midst of our suffering, difficulties, and disappointments.

What background and training do the directors have?

The directors were recommended by local pastors and church staff as people with mature faith who would be skilled in walking alongside people from all walks of life as they question and pursue God. Directors were trained in the history of spiritual direction, discernment, listening, encouragement, spiritual disciplines, various approaches to spiritual growth, connecting people to supportive community, and developing lifestyles that support connection to God. Directors range from ages 24 to 60 and have had a wide variety of life and spiritual experiences.

How would I be matched to a director?

After I receive your call or email, I will set up a 20-minute phone call with you to answer any questions you might have and ask you about what you are hoping for from Spiritual Direction. After reviewing the life experiences and interests of the available directors, I will match you with a director who seems to fit your circumstances and preferences. This director will call you and you will have the chance to talk on the phone and then meet face-to-face before the two of you decide whether a direction relationship would be mutually beneficial. You will always have the option of asking to be matched with another director if the original match does not seem to fit your needs.

Where would we meet and for how long?

Typically, Spiritual Direction meetings occur about once per month. You and your director can decide what kinds of meeting environments would work best for the two of you. Likely, you will meet for six sessions and then review the relationship to decide whether to continue, change the nature of the meetings, seek another direction relationship, etc.

When is the next Spiritual Director training?

The next Spiritual Direction/People Helping Training course will take place on Wednesday nights from 6-9 PM, September 1-29, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Click here to view the course description. Contact me if you would like to attend.