Forums

Forum Home

Aggregated

The individual in formation

General

How does one ge...

How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?

11/13/2006 6:15:16 PM

anonymous

0 posts

How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?
(United States)

Could someone please offer some instruction on how to get a spiritual director or mentor? What qualifications should that person have? Should one request references? How does one find such a person if, say, one's church is not actively involved in spiritual formation activities?

11/14/2006 4:52:12 PM

kcstrobel

50 posts

Re: How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?
(N/A) Modified By kcstrobel on 11/14/2006 9:52:38 AM)

A Pilgrim, your presence here encourages me. I wanted to let you know that we actually are having articles written on both the issues you have raised in this post and the post above. We are having a stay-at-home mom write up journals on spiritual formation in the midst of a hectic life with kids, and we are having someone write up an article on what to look for in a spiritual director.

We have plans for a whole spiritual director section, so I hope you will keep coming back to and engaging in conversation. We are blessed to see you here. Blessings, kyle

11/14/2006 5:22:35 PM

pwilliams

3 posts

Re: How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?
(United States)

Spiritual Directing is beginning to be found in more evangelical churches but it is still often very hard to find.

I would start by asking around – friends, pastors and local churches. Often times people come in touch with a good spiritual director by word of mouth. A good referral from a church or pastor is often more credible and trustworthy than qualifications. If you live in an area like mine, there are no local churches that can give me a reference of a spiritual director. If this is the case, I would then try contacting ministries or institutions that have spiritual directors attached to them. This can included seminary and theological schools, retreat centers or para-church ministries Often these organizations have already approved that these persons are fit to be spiritual directors. Some spiritual directors have had formal training – training is helpful but not always necessary.

The best spiritual directors are those who have walked the spiritual journey and taken on the training of Christ. Because of their years of growth and struggles in the faith they have gained discernment into the spiritual life and capable of helping other navigate the path. The best thing to do is to talk with a spiritual director in an initial meeting to see if it is a good fit.

11/16/2006 5:52:19 AM

pwilliams

3 posts

Re: How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?
(United States)

One helpful website for finding a spiritual director is www.sdiworld.org

Spiritual Directors International is the most robust listing of spiritual directors. However the directors listed can be from any religion, faith, or background. So some careful discernment is needed.

Metamorpha hopes to offer a Christian database of spiritual directors in the future.

I hope some of this helps.

11/17/2006 8:41:35 PM

Robin

20 posts

Re: How does one get a spiritual director or mentor?
(N/A)

I wonder if perhaps there are women who are filling the role of spiritual director in younger women's lives even though they might not have been given or assumed that title. I have had older women in my life who have been following Jesus as long as or longer than I have, and these women have been a safe place for me to tell the truth about what is going on in my life, career, marriage and they have offered me insight and direction. Certainly the gifts of discernment and helps and mercy were in operation during our talks and boy was I glad! If you were to ask either of these women 'are you a spiritual director' I think they would probably answer 'no' or 'what's that?'. They would describe their role as a loving mentor or small group leader.

My point is that perhaps some people who are wonderful sources of spiritual direction have not been to Spiritual Director School or do not carry a business card with that title.

I'm not dissing Spiritual Director training! (Or any other kind of training) I just get the impression that while the role of Counselor or Therapist is one that requires schooling and certification, the role of Spiritual Director does not.

What do you think?

growing, learning, enjoying the ride

Page 1 of 4

Aggregated

The individual in formation

General

How does one ge...