Looking for Direction?
In our increasingly fast-paced world where busyness is worn like a merit badge, and digital distraction is a fact of life, the counter-cultural practice of regular spiritual direction offers space to pause, slow down, notice and attend to the movement of God in our daily lives. And it’s proving not only attractive but transformational for Salvationists wanting to deepen their intimacy with God in the midst of twenty-first century life.
For many years, Rev David Crawley was a lecturer at Laidlaw College, teaching the Old and New Testament, ethics, spiritual formation, pastoral care and ministry supervision. But David is also a spiritual director and professional supervisor, who currently helps facilitate the training of spiritual directors and supervisors through Spiritual Growth Ministries Aotearoa (SGM), alongside Coordinator Fran Francis. As a recipient of spiritual direction himself for many years, David describes the practice as, ‘a relational space that allows me to be who I am, as I am’.
It’s a beautiful, simple description that encapsulates the essence of what spiritual directors desire for their ‘directees’. David adds that during a session, ‘I don’t have to be anything for anyone. Wonderful! I am free to attend to significant happenings in my inner and outer worlds and to join with my spiritual director in wondering where God is in it all. Over time, my director helps me deepen my awareness of the divine love at the heart of all things.’
Listening with the heart
The term ‘spiritual director’ can be misleading, because it seems to imply that someone is ‘directing’ you. But spiritual directors support you to notice and discern God’s invitations. Spiritual directors then, are better described as companions and co-discerners
who listen alongside you for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. A good spiritual director will ‘wonder with you’, offer new spiritual practices to try, pray for you and may recommend books or resources.
When endeavouring to describe what spiritual direction is, sometimes it’s helpful to explain what it’s not. Salvation Army Chaplain and Court Officer for Auckland District Court Sharyn Olds, is currently training to become a spiritual director with SGM and says ‘being clear about what spiritual direction is not by busting some myths is so helpful! It’s not counselling, it’s not supervision or mentoring. It’s also not ad hoc, it’s not passive and it’s certainly not just for the super holy—thank goodness!’
Sharyn adds, ‘I love the idea that spiritual direction is listening with the heart. It’s a sacred space for deep holy listening and to discern and dream. But it’s also a place for laughter and joy as well. I would hate people to think it’s so very serious! It can be. But it can also be a lot of fun.’
Connecting the dots
Spiritual Life Development and Prayer Coordinator Captain Janet Green is a recent graduate of the SGM Spiritual Director’s Formation Programme, and her journey into receiving spiritual direction began at a Salvation Army officer’s spiritual retreat in 2014.
‘Spiritual direction has helped me connect the dots in my journey. I often come out of a session having had an “aha” moment! There have been times when I haven’t noticed the connections God is inviting me to make in the ordinariness and busyness of life. Spiritual direction has given me space to see what God is working on within me and to discern the pathway he’s leading me along. This pursuit of deepening my relationship with God through exploring new spiritual practices has transformed my life! I want others to have and experience that same transformation in their lives!’
Janet’s not the only one to discover new ways of being with God through regular spiritual direction. Cadet Sara Eglinton (Booth College of Mission) has been having spiritual direction for 18 months, and she describes the practice as having enhanced her personal relationship with God.
‘Spiritual direction has encouraged me to consider how and where I feel closest with God. It has been freeing to understand there is no one-size-fits-all way to be with God. Discovering what lights up my soul in terms of spiritual practices that resonate deeply within me has grown my faith, leading to a more consistent and vibrant relationship with God.’
Safe to share
As an emerging leader within The Salvation Army, Sara also recognises the value of regular spiritual direction.
‘Spiritual direction provides a space for leaders to reflect on their inner lives and responses to God’s presence, and can aid in discerning God’s will in specific situations and in the overall direction of ministry. Leaders often face complex decisions, and
a trusted spiritual director offers a safe environment to be vulnerable, share struggles and receive support. I think it could be a helpful tool to prevent burnout.’
Envoy Collette Irwin, co-leader of Petone Salvation Army has been receiving spiritual direction for three years and agrees with Sara, saying, ‘Spiritual direction has helped me access different ways of connecting with God. As my rhythm has shifted in life, there has been support to look at new practices that fit with my family/work life and help me feel closer to God. Allowing yourself the time and space to reflect with someone to help you see God at work is a powerful thing. And it’s an important foundation for ministry because there is such value in regular reflection. It helps you get through the hard moments and celebrate the good moments, all the while embracing the journey.’
For others
When asked to share her thoughts on the importance of spiritual direction as a regular practice for ministry leaders, Sharyn pulls no punches. ‘Ministry and leadership carry their own peculiar and particular fabulousness, pain and potential landmines,’ she says. Drawing on her own experience in ministry and leadership, Sharyn wisely points out some of those potential tripping points.
‘Power, control, the danger of professional Christianity when God becomes my work rather than a relationship … spiritual direction offers the spaciousness, safety and confidentiality to explore doubts, dryness, grief and anxieties—all the human struggles that we carry, but that leaders potentially may not feel able to talk about with fellow leaders. Spiritual direction fills that gap and keeps us accountable, which is crucial as Christian leaders.’
Sharyn says she couldn’t be a chaplain without the regular practice of spiritual direction.
‘With love and grace, a good spiritual director will help you see what others may not feel able to tackle, particularly if you’re in a position of power. People don’t feel they can call you out on that, which is understandable. Relationally, that can be awkward! But if you are going to lead and serve and love, then some sort of accountability must be on the table. I do feel like I’m a broken record whenever I facilitate our chaplain training, because I take every opportunity to share how important and fundamental spiritual accountability is. I could not do chaplaincy without spiritual direction. It would be unsafe for myself and also for all the people I engage with.’
Janet echoes Sharyn strongly when she says, ‘We all have to lead ourselves. Sometimes we are the hardest people to lead! But that’s why attending to our inner life is so important. It’s not just for ourselves, but for those around us. If my inner life is disordered or there is a whole lot of mess and dysfunction there, at some point, it will leak out and it may do so in ways that are unhelpful to those I love the most. Attending to my inner life is the most important thing I can do as a follower of Jesus—it’s how we become like Jesus, and if I am going to lead people well and care for people well, then being with Jesus and resting in him is how I’m actually able to love and care for others as Jesus would have me do.’
Gifts for life
Sharyn was blessed to have the late Sheila Pritchard as her spiritual director for the past eight years and describes Sheila as someone who sought to be ‘kind but honest’ in her spiritual direction practice. Tragically, Sheila passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer, which she openly and honestly wrote a blog about until shortly before her death. Sheila was well known within the spiritual direction community and is the author of the much-loved book, The Lost Art of Christian Meditation. Sheila also spearheaded the development of the spiritual formation department at Laidlaw College, later being joined by David.
Sheila was the sister of the late Andrew Pritchard, also a spiritual director and known to many Salvation Army officers for his service at Booth College of Mission and as a spiritual director on officers’ retreats. Sadly, Andrew also died of cancer, six years before Sheila received her diagnosis. In an email sent to Sheila in the weeks before her death, Sharyn expressed the impact of Sheila’s ministry on her own spiritual life and shares it here in honour of Sheila:
‘Thank you for holding and sharing and companioning me through all of my fears and anxieties and joys and delights. All the messes and fabulousness of life! I’ve never felt judged, or my worries minimised and really, you’ve given me the most beautiful gift of accepting and trusting and knowing in the fullest sense of the word how free I am in God and how beloved I am by God. How utterly blessed I have been to have had you in my life, Sheila. These are gifts for life, and I am grateful in the deepest, deepest part of me.’
Photo: Tracy Stamatakos (courtesy of Spiritual Growth Ministries)
