Welcome to Grace Inside Out!  

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An Ecumenical Center for Christian Spirituality

What is spiritual direction? What does a spiritual director do?

Spiritual direction is a series of conversations between a director and those who seek to “grow in wisdom and grace” (Luke 2: 52). Not a ‘life coach,’ not a counselor or therapist, the spiritual director is a gifted and skilled guide who ministers more like a mid-wife, by assisting in bringing to birth a deeper, richer sense of the Holy in the directee’s life.  In each spiritual direction relationship, there is an understanding that—ultimately—God is the Spiritual Director; the spiritual director, therefore, is one who guides and companions those who seek to know and love God better because s/he is experienced, knowledgeable and insightful in the ways in which God communicates with those who seek, The focus of spiritual direction is not the relationship between director and directee; rather, it is the relationship between the directee and God.

Who seeks spiritual direction?

            People from all walks of life who earnestly want to find meaning in the joys and struggles of daily life; women and men who yearn to deepen their understanding of themselves and to be more aware, more intentional, and more responsive in their relationship with others and with God; individuals who desire to become the person God is calling them to be.

What does a spiritual direction session look like? What might a directee talk about?

        Typically once a month, spiritual direction takes place as a face-to-face conversation in an office or other place where the directee and director can be comfortable and undisturbed. Most often the session begins with a time of silence and prayer. Directees can share anything they wish that seems to be affecting them in either positive or negative ways.  Nothing is off limits! Because spiritual direction is not the same as counseling or mentoring, the spiritual director does not ‘fix things;’ rather, s/he helps directees become aware of how God may be speaking to them and helps them discern ways to respond that bring wholeness and peace to their lives and relationships.

What can one expect from spiritual direction? What much does spiritual direction cost?

          Spiritual directors ensure that sessions are focused on the directee’s spiritual growth and development, and their prayers, suggestions, and questions are all oriented to that end. Having listened prayerfully to what the directee shares, they may suggest a prayer form, a spiritual practice, or a question that the directee might hold before God. They help the directee discern when an issue might be best addressed in conjunction with other spiritual support, such as a confessor or pastoral counselor. In every instance, the directee can expect absolute confidentiality and unconditional love from someone who sees them as they truly are—God’s most beloved child.

Because competent spiritual directors enhance their innate gifts through on-going formation, training, and supervision, most must charge a fee for their service. Most often fees are on a sliding scale and are negotiable, so directees should not be reluctant to discuss what they can comfortably afford.

"Our real journey in life is interior: it is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts."

     - - Thomas Merton

Why offer a program for the formation and training of spiritual directors?

            Women and men of many faith traditions are seeking a greater sense of the presence and movement of God in their lives. In light of our mission, to help people to ‘grow in wisdom and grace,’ the reasons for offering this program are three-fold:

1. To help individuals who want to deepen their relationship with God to do so in a supportive, responsive community;
2. To help such individuals, whether ordained or lay, to enhance their innate gift of discernment by developing practical skilled valued by Spiritual Directors International; and
3. To build community and collaboration between spiritual directors of different faith traditions and backgrounds, so as to build capacity for understanding, appreciation, and collaboration within and among our communities of faith.

For whom is this program intended?

Lay, vowed, and ordained ministers of all faith traditions who feel a call to the spiritual direction ministry; professionals who wish to integrate the spiritual dimension into their own particular area of expertise; spiritual directors who are seeking enrichment/development and networking with others in peer supervision; leaders who facilitate adult faith and personal formation in group settings, such as RCIA, AA, Al-Anon, small church communities, and others.

What topics does the program cover?

Year 1:  Foundations: theological, historical and personal  

¨       The art and skills of discernment in one’s own life

(recognizing the presence and movement of the Spirit in life experiences)

¨       Foundations of relationship with God

(forms of prayer, spiritual practices)

¨       Historical traditions of spirituality, primarily from the Christian tradition

(both Roman and Reformed)

       Schemas/stages of healthy psychological and spiritual development

(Maslow, Fowler, Kegan, et al.)

¨       Communications skills

(listening and questioning technique and practice)

Year 2:   A deepening of Year 1 curriculum and practicum

¨       Internship

(spiritual direction to others under direction of a trained supervisor)

¨       Self and peer assessment

(using verbatim and other assessment tools)

¨       Confidentiality and other ethical considerations

(using guidelines of Spiritual Direction International)

¨       Spiritual direction in group settings

¨       Resources for personal and ministerial development

How is the curriculum covered?

Participants meet with faculty 3 times a year for prayer, instruction and community Throughout the program, each participant will engage in prayerful discernment through reading, journaling, meeting with one’s own spiritual director, posting reflection papers for faculty and peers to read, and responding to others’ postings. Each participant is required to draft a spiritual autobiography (approximately 15 pages) to be shared with a faculty member and his/ her own spiritual director, no later than the first day of the second session in Year 1. Once a month, each participant is required to arrange for a ‘retreat day,’ an 8 hour period of quiet for personal prayer and meditation.

Does every participant receive a certificate? What does certification mean?

Attendance and active participation at all sessions earns participants a certificate of attendance. Attendance and active participation at all sessions and documentation of all requirements earns a certificate of completion. Certification does not award credit toward an academic degree at the bachelor’s or master’s level; however, we are in the process of exploring the possibility of certified social workers and counselors earning CEUs. Information will be posted to the website as it becomes available,