Eureka Christian Church

Reflecting Christ's Light from Our Doorsteps to the Ends of the Earth

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The Art of Spiritual Direction by Rev. Jennie Churchman

East patio and sanctuary entrance

Beginning on February 15, I have the privilege of participating in a Spiritual Director Training Program at the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction.  This is a ministry of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona.  It offers in-depth study, peer learning, and spiritual mentoring for those interested in becoming a spiritual director.  The Board approved my participation last fall, and I am very honored and excited to be going.  I will be in Tucson February 15-27 and then again April 12-24 to complete the training.

Spiritual direction is the art of holy listening.  You could call it spiritual counseling.  A spiritual director helps people discern God’s movement in their lives.  A spiritual director helps people through times of restlessness and drought.  A spiritual director listens and mirrors back observations.  And at times, a spiritual director can even help people break through a roadblock to experience a deeper level of healing and wholeness.  I myself had this experience when a spiritual director offered insight into what had been a life-long weight on my soul.

Of course, I believe that I have already been engaging in spiritual direction as a part of my pastoral ministry, but I have not had any formal training.  This program will help me be more effective and more confident.  One of the reasons I selected the Hesychia School is because they have a specific unit for offering spiritual direction with the so-called “spiritual but not religious.”  I seem to encounter a lot of these folks, and I really believe that we have something to offer them at Eureka Christian Church.  Perhaps not worship on a Sunday morning, but certainly sanctuary and guidance.  I think this can be a growing ministry for us.

Hesychia means “watchful, inner stillness and silence.”  While I will be learning a lot and working hard during my weeks there, I am also looking at this as a spiritual retreat.  I thank you for giving me this time.  It is time for me to tend to my soul.  I am only as effective as I am whole, and I know you understand that.  You are a rare and wonderful congregation.  I thank you, and I am honored to serve with you.