New Frontiers for Spiritual Direction

Last updated on: May 8, 2017 at 10:43 am by Teresa Blythe

New Frontiers for Spiritual Direction 2017-05-08T10:43:57-08:00 Teresa Blythe

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Spiritual direction is widely known today as one person seeking spiritual guidance from a trained and experienced spiritual director. That has been the traditional mode of spiritual direction for centuries. And while one-to-one direction will continue to be popular, the practice of spiritual direction is evolving with creative spiritual directors bringing the skills and gifts of spiritual direction in many ways to many different settings.

Retreats, Workshops and Webinars

Beyond the private practice, you find many spiritual directors leading retreats, seminars, workshops and webinars on the spiritual life. Group spiritual direction is sometimes offered at retreats or seminars. The exciting development lately has been spiritual directors using distance learning and technology in the form of webinars to reach large numbers of people in a variety of locales. It saves energy, time and money and allows us to tap into the wisdom of spiritual leaders we might never have met 30 years ago.

Organizational Spiritual Direction

Instead of seeing a person or a group of people for spiritual direction, some directors are hired by organizations to assist in visioning and discernment. The focus is not on each person’s individual spiritual path, but where is the spirit leading the organization as a body? The directee is then the organization and its path. This is sophisticated work and requires that the spiritual director understand group dynamics, systems theory and the specific organization’s philosophy, values and culture.

Clergy Support Groups

Spiritual directors are responding to a growing need from clergy for confidential support groups where the pastor or chaplain is free to discuss case studies of situations creating inner turmoil for the minister. Just as psychologists and social workers need supervision, so do ministers. Supervision in this case doesn’t mean oversight, but is a form of support given by the spiritual director helping the clergyperson look at his or her deep feelings about a pastoral situation and discovering how God is showing up, inviting transformation, comforting or challenging the pastor.

Spiritual Formation Directors in Churches

Spiritual formation is a special kind of Christian education that helps people become more introspective, prayerful and discerning. It’s education that prepares us for a healthy, mature relationship with God. This kind of job is perfect for the spiritual director who enjoys teaching but knows that the individual direction session is not primarily about teaching.

Continuing Care Facilities

Also known as retirement facilities with independent, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing units, these continuing care facilities are becoming increasingly aware of the spiritual needs of their residents. Many of these facilities are owned by churches. Some have chaplains that perform spiritual care. Some spiritual directors have found jobs contracting with the facilities to run group spiritual direction, classes or retreats for the residents who are seeking spiritual guidance.

Wellness Centers

Centers that offer an array of services such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, energy healing, massage and other alternative wellness practices are sometimes welcoming to the practice of spiritual direction (especially if you come from an interfaith perspective). These centers are wonderful places to locate a private spiritual direction practice because you will have a host of people around you who can provide referrals.

Behavioral Health Centers

The mental health community—including addiction treatment—understands the importance of spirituality to a number of their clients. And we’re not just talking 12-step spirituality either. Spiritual direction, done from a multi-faith perspective, can offer residents or clients an opportunity to explore the next step on their spiritual path whatever it may be. Spiritual directors with a heart for people suffering with mental health or addiction problems are finding behavioral health a new frontier for their ministry.

If you are interested in learning more about spiritual direction or entering spiritual direction with me, please contact me at [email protected] or visit www.teresablythe.net. Also visit my website for the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction.

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