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 One-On-One
Spiritual Direction
What
is a Spiritual Director?
Despite the way spiritual direction sounds, it is not one person
telling another what to do. A spiritual director is a companion
who helps another become more deeply aware of the presence and action
of God in their life. It is one person helping another to listen
and respond to the ongoing movements of God speaking through the
busyness of everyday life.
Is
Spiritual Direction Therapy?
Spiritual direction is not therapy. Therapeutic relationships mainly
focus on our dysfunctions. While mental health is important and
not to be overlooked, spiritual direction does not take the place
of therapy if therapy is needed. Spiritual direction does focus
on healing the whole person. Spiritual directors seek to facilitate
balance, spiritual healing, and spiritual growth. Healing is not
something that happens in a year or even five - it takes time and
intentionality to live into the grace that has been given and is
always available. This process may require the helping presence
of another from time to time. That is when a one-on-one spiritual
direction relationship can be helpful.
How
often do you meet with a spiritual director?
There is no set rule for how often someone meets with a spiritual
director. Start with a schedules of a monthly meetings for about
50 minutes. Spiritual direction sessions may also include a periodic
extended time, such as a retreat or quiet prayer day in which spiritual
direction is given. During a particular time of crisis or change
you may want to meet with your director more often.
What
Happens In Spiritual Direction?
The process of spiritual direction often gets started because the
person seeking guidance may feel a need or a yearning for “something
more.” They may be unable to define what that “something
more” is or what may be hindering them in their ongoing spiritual
journey. The process of one-on-one spiritual direction might including
helping the seeker in the following ways:
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Learning new prayer patterns or suggesting various spiritual
disciplines
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Discerning for decision-making
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Becoming aware of images of God influencing one’s relationship
with God
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Examining old wounds or life patterns for healing and change
that may be hindering one’s progress or relationships
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Exploring one’s deepest yearnings, issues concerning
the meaning life, or one’s life calling
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Confessing for commitment accountability when beginning a
new phase of your journey or a new spiritual discipline
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Listening or noticing God’s activity in your life and
world
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Companioning you as you seek to find a new way or a new path
on the journey
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Partnering in prayer about concerns, grief work and phases
of the life journey
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Facilitating personal retreats, prayer days
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What
does a Session Cost?
The cost of a spiritual direction session will vary from one director
to another. It is customary to present a donation or payment at
the time of the directions session or retreat. The main motivation
for most spiritual directors is to share their ministry gifts with
those who are in need. Some spiritual directors feel a call to the
vocation full-time, thus your donation or fee should be given in
the spirit of mutual support. Generally a donation of $20 to $45
is accepted for an average 50 min session. Group direction and retreat
fees are based on a per day plus expenses and are determined prior
to the event.
Group Spiritual
Direction
What
is Group Spiritual Direction?
Group spiritual direction or Direction in Common is a process in
which three or more people gather together on a regular basis to
assist one another in an ongoing awareness of God in all of life
and to explore spiritual issues the group has in common. The depth
of sharing necessary in group spiritual direction demands a level
of trust not often found in other types of groups. This trust is
not dependent upon similar personalities, mutual interests or common
experiences; rather it is grounded in a trust of God's desire to
speak to each participant individually as well as the group as a
whole through the voice of each other. Diversity of faith perspectives
in the group can enrich the collective wisdom available through
the group process.
Formation of the
group may take some time. There should be sufficient time for participants
to become acquainted with one another before actually beginning
the group direction. Once a group has decided that it wants to be
together for spiritual direction, then it might agree to meet for
six months to a year and after a review of its time, covenant for
another amount of time.
Group spiritual direction
often needs the guidance of a trained spiritual director to get
it started but some groups can become selfdirecting after the initial
experience with a spiritual director.
Retreat
Ministry Opportunities
A retreat is a faith-inspired
‘time out’ to attend to the soul and be refreshed in the
mystery that draws us into relationships with ourselves, others
and the world, and into the heart of it all – GOD. Two types
of retreats are available, group sponsored retreats and private
retreats. Group sponsored retreats are focused on a topics that
are selected by the group that reflects a particular interest or
need. Private retreats can be non-structured or structured times
apart guided by a spiritual director for personal reflection and
spiritual discernment. Retreats can vary in length to one day to
48 hours (longer if so desired). They are opportunities for:
• Personal reflection
• Silence
• Corporate worship
• Relaxation and refreshment
• Individual and/or small group spiritual guidance
• Encountering various spiritual disciplines
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