Spritual Direction Resources
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is the process of accompanying someone on their spiritual journey with the goal of discovering where and how God is at work in the details of one’s life.
A Spiritual Director can help you better understand your own call or ministry and guide you into a deeper relationship with God. This can help you deal with the challenges and stresses of ministry while you grow to be more effective in helping others on a discipleship path.
Spiritual direction can be a transformational relationship that leads to a way of life that sees the sacred in each moment and in every living thing. There is the opportunity for discerning the questions, feelings, movements, and concerns for the care of the soul.
Each session with a certified director is typically one hour in length and is confidential. It is an opportunity for one to share and another to listen to the story being brought, trusting the Spirit to guide the conversation.
For more information and to find a spiritual director, please contact The Well, located at Edenton Street UMC in Raleigh, or the North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a spiritual director, coach, and therapist?
You may have heard about the benefits of having a ministry coach and a therapist, so why consider spiritual direction? A coach asks questions to provide accountability and to help you discern a direction and strategy. A therapist helps you deal with problems that may arise just in the normal hard work of living. Coaches mentor. Therapists help solve problems.
Spiritual directors, on the other hand, help you listen for God’s voice. The true Spiritual Director is the Holy Spirit. Your human spiritual director acts as a conduit for the Spirit. As you talk about where you see God at work in your life and how God is calling you to new and next steps in your life and ministry, your spiritual director is listening to you and to the Spirit.
It is the director’s role to ask questions, point out patterns, encourage insights, and open you up to the presence and voice of God. Whereas coaches help you grow your ministry and leadership skills and therapists help you help yourself through problem-solving, spiritual directors help you help others by helping yourself. As you grow closer to God and learn to hear God’s voice more clearly, you will find it easier to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit in both your own life and in your ministry.
What can you expect in spiritual direction?
- A safe and confidential place to talk about your spiritual journey as you share your thoughts, doubts, struggles, hopes, and losses.
- A listening ear, a non-judgmental attitude, and skills to guide you on the path toward a deeper relationship with God.
- Suggestions of spiritual disciplines, methods of prayer, and other resources to help you in your life.
- Help in discerning a call God has placed on your life or with ways to fulfill your call without suffering burnout.
Common questions or concerns that may lead someone to seek spiritual direction:
- How do I know I am making the best decision?
- How do I hear God speaking to me?
- I attend church regularly and have gone to Bible studies, is there more?
- I want to have a relationship with God, but my prayer time seems so empty.
- Who am I now that I’m retired or in a transitional time?
- Church work has exhausted me. Why, God?
How to Choose a Spiritual Director
When looking for a spiritual director, it’s important to find one who is compatible with you. During your first visit, ask questions!
- What credentials do you have?
- Where did you receive your training?
- What is your faith background?
- What spiritual disciplines do you practice and use in your sessions?
- Are you in supervision for spiritual direction?
- What is your fee?