A practical look at growing your spiritual ministry: Part 2
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. To read the first part of this offering, go here.
What about intake and onboarding?
Contact made
Free initial consultation via Zoom
Set time and place for first official session
Send intake forms and covenant to be brought to first session
Let others know your schedule.
If meeting at or representing your church, know their safety policies.
Meet in a location with others nearby and in a room with a window, or glass panel on door
Know your duty to report and consider how you will address emergencies.
There’s more?
• Join Spiritual Ministries International (SDI) and follow their Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
• Sign an agreement with your directee. Find some examples here.
• Obtain information from directees via an intake form for emergency contact and general info
• Ensure you are covered by professional insurance via your church/company or personally.
How do you get the word out?
Consider creating an online presence that represents your style, story and ministry focus. Here are some website examples:
Have a Facebook Page and/or Instagram Account, LinkedIn, even TikTok
Create content showing others who you are, explain what you do, and explain how spiritual direction is a benefit
Create content communicating when you are accepting new directees, when you may be leading a retreat, or offering a class
Follow other spiritual directors, contemplative accounts to see what else is out there, to network and share content
Blog, articles, podcasts. Consider creating and maintaining a personal blog, write articles for your church’s newsletter, or other sites. Start a podcast or be a guest on one to share about spiritual direction
Should you hang a shingle?
Become a member of Spiritual Directors International.
Connect with local communities of spiritual directors and have a presence on their websites or publications. Consider Retreat House, Hearthpaths, Spiritual Ministries Institute.
Ask your church if they might consider adding your ministry to their website.
Printed materials might also be helpful: business cards, postcards, brochures, fliers/posters
What’s the appropriate term?
The invitation is too not get too legalistic with the below recommendations but think of these suggestions as best practice:
Lower case references to spiritual direction, not Spiritual Direction.
We have directees, not clients.
Spiritual direction is a ministry, not a practice.
Although spiritual directors receive a certificate of training in the United States, we are trained, not certified. Example: Kim Vierrere, Trained Spiritual Director
A few others elements to keep in mind:
Know the differences between spiritual direction, spiritual formation, spiritual coaching, and spiritual companions, etc.
Know what you can offer and what you cannot offer in spiritual direction
Remember ultimately Whom you serve and Who is the real Director
Remember you are part of a larger community, so rely on your colleagues for training, guidance, connection, supervision, support, professional development, prayer and peer consultation, networking and referrals
“Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.”