Teaching as Direction

Last updated on: May 1, 2009 at 2:43 pm by David Hayward

Teaching as Direction 2009-05-01T14:43:34-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This morning’s cartoon was motivated by something I’m challenged by. One of the most important principles to follow for spiritual directors is that you don’t impose your spirituality on your students. The role of the spiritual director is to be observant, attentive, wise and familiar with the stages of spiritual growth. She helps the student progress in his spirituality, again… not by imposing her beliefs or methods or ways, but by helping the student understand where he himself is in the milieu of grace. My first spiritual director was a sister who was the perfect example of this.

I remember hearing John Wimber, who founded the Vineyard movement of which my community is a part, speaking about the role of pastor. He said the pastor’s gift is the ability to help people move from one level of faith to another. This, I suggest, is what spiritual direction is. It is oppressive to expect people to grow or mature in the same way. It is violence to demand people’s faith to look the same. It is constricting to stop people from moving, theologically or spiritually, in directions that seem strange to us.

I’m not even going to get into the whole question of whether spiritual growth is progressive or not. I personally don’t think it is progressive or developmental. I think spiritual growth is through death and resurrection, so it more resembles fatal trauma then recovery into a new mode of being than growth. Of course, this through a life time resembles progression but only because it is a series of traumas and recoveries. But that is another article.

For now I’m accepting my own personal challenge to teach in a way that is not coercive or oppressive, but encourages people to happily recognize their own spiritual condition and to willingly move deeper into a life of love. This is the best way for me myself to be transformed without feeling threatened by the differing belief expectations of the people in my community. But more importantly it is the best way for me to teach my community without violating their own spirits and placing upon them the burden of my own expectations and desires.

I have a few friends who are career and life coaches, and they would agree.

Check out my tees HERE. I’m growing my inventory all the time. And check out my art HERE.

Previous Post

May 1, 2009

cartoon: tamers

Next Post

May 2, 2009 cartoon: illustration Friday... "Heirarchy"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

There is a season for everything under heaven—a time to be born and a time to do what?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Die Sing Rest Live