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Spiritual direction is one of the church's
oldest ministries, better
labeled "spiritual care". It is the help one believer gives another
in
developing a relation with God, and forming a life of prayer. The
director's role is to provide a "space" in which people can work out
their faith and discern more clearly God's desire for them. The
real
director is the Holy Spirit, with the spiritual director providing
encouragement, accountability, and support. People facing important
decisions, or being drawn into a deepening spiritual life, find
spiritual direction especially helpful. Naturally, the relation is
confidential.
This ministry is offered to individuals and also in small groups,
with
meetings usually coming around once a month. Unlike much pastoral
care, which focuses on resolving problems or issues, spiritual
direction
focuses on discerning God's presence in all of life and can be an
ongoing relation. In the same way, it is not therapy although
therapy and spiritual direction can work well together. Sometimes a
donation is requested.
Until relatively recently there was no special training for
spiritual
directors. Fundamentally they were wise and discerning church
members, often ordained, with gifts for listening and guidance as
well as an extensive knowledge of scripture, theology, and
psychology. Such
qualifications still hold, and training programs now exist to
prepare
those who believe they are called to this ministry.
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