A practical look at growing your spiritual ministry

Kim Verriere’s Spiritual Direction space at home

I am given space to imagine - the funeral cloth.  At first tight and restrictive, it begins to fall away. I think about the disorientation he must have felt when brought back to life - the questions he might have asked. What happened? Why me? What now?

My spiritual director invites me to recall the story of Lazarus in the Bible.

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: loose him, and let him go.”

— John 11:45, the Bible, New King James Version

I’m drawn to consider the bindings of my own life – jobs and relationships that are no longer alive. And, how even though I have been released, freed from these, and invited into a new way of living and being, although loosened, I am still wearing the graveclothes, still working to leave them behind, to adjust.

His hands and feet were bound. His face still covered in a cloth. He needed witnesses to unwrap him.

Images populate my mind.

Surely these restrictions didn’t fall off immediately. Perhaps they unraveled. Did it take minutes, a few hours, several days to get comfortable with movement again? Did he step out of the them before setting the binding aside to walk from them?

Then, I consider the covering over his face. Were his eyes blinking as they adjusted to the light? Or, did he see clearly right away?

With room to contemplate sensations, images and feelings that accompany this particular scripture, I find correlation with my own experience. My spiritual director listens. She receives what I’m discovering - she holds space. She provides witness to my insights, helping me to untie those things which have kept me confined.

Compassion fills me. Compassion for myself. Compassion for others, reminded of the process, the time it takes – the dying and resurrection moments that punctuate our lives. Reminded that transition takes time, that I am not alone, that Christ is with us, and we are with each other, in these invitations to unbind.

To feel free.

~ An excerpt from Spiritual Direction: Finding Freedom in a Bound World by Emily Turner Watson written in 2020 for Retreat House Spirituality Center and Perkins Certificate in Spiritual Direction program.

For those who serve as spiritual directors, and occasionally find it challenging to talk about or explain this ministry, read more of this article here.

If you are looking to get started in building your ministry as a director or perhaps looking for a refresh, Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, trained spiritual director and supervisor, as well as Trained Spiritual Director Kim Verriere, offer practical tools and insights below.

What is spiritual direction?

Develop a brief sentence or two reflecting your personal definition of spiritual direction. Consider something you could share with anyone and/or anytime if the invitation should present.

Some examples:

“Spiritual direction is meeting with a compassionate, trained listener to notice together the movement of the Divine in your life.”
— Kim Verriere
“Spiritual direction is the ancient, yet always new, practice of sharing your story with an attentive trustworthy companion who helps you notice your inner wisdom and your connection with the divine.”
— Wendy Mospan
“Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or
to learn and grow in their personal spirituality.”
— Wikipedia
“Spiritual direction is taking a long, loving look at what is real and seeking freedom from that which binds.”
— Rev. Dr. Lil Smith

Who are you in your spiritual director role?

  • Are you “hanging out a shingle” as a solo spiritual director? Or are you integrating spiritual direction with another ministry, church or program?

  • Who are the kinds of people you see yourself companioning: people of a particular - or no particular - faith, gender, age group, issue, etc.?

  • Are you offering more than one-on-one sessions? group direction, leading retreats or workshops, speaking on specific topics, teaching specific practices?

Consider these possibilities as you develop your ministry further.

When will you meet with directees?

Consider your schedule, your daily flow, and intentionally set blocks of time on your calendar you can/will dedicate to meeting with directees.

  • Pray ahead for these times to be filled and for those who will fill them

  • Allow 15-30 minutes between appointments (time to pray, process, make notes, prepare)

  • Consider how you will address “emergency” or crisis sessions. Spiritual direction is not a crisis ministry.

How will you book appointments?

Options may include:

What about the space?

How and where will you meet with directees? In-person or virtual or both? Where will you be?

In-person options may include:

• Church

• Library

• Coffee shop

• Park

• Home

• Art museum

• Retreat House

• A friend’s office space

• Co-working spaces

Depending on the space, consider including items like a candle, art, pieces of nature. Also consider comfort and privacy.

*Photo credit: Kim Verriere home office for direction

If virtual, where will you be, and where will you ask your directees to be? A quiet, private space, like an office, bedroom, or even in a car.

Virtual options may include:

• Facetime

• Phone call

• Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams

• Zoom (monthly fee)

Would you like to visit about any of these topics or learn about using the space at Retreat House? Send us a note!

Learn more about safety and protection, on-boarding directees as well as marketing and promotion here. (coming soon).

Emily Turner