Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors (ESSD)

Spiritual direction is a ministry of sacred listening and soul care. It is a prayerful practice in which you and a companion attend together to the presence and movement of God in your life. It is not therapy, counseling, or life coaching; rather, it is a space set apart to listen to God, your own heart, and the gentle invitations of the Holy Spirit.

In spiritual direction, a trained Christian spiritual director helps you notice where God has been present in your life, how God might be inviting you to respond, and how you can grow in your relationship with Christ. Through attentive presence, reflective questions, and prayerful dialogue, God’s voice can be heard more clearly. This ministry honours the unique way God relates to each of us. It is a sacred space to bring your joys and struggles, your questions and longings—knowing that God meets you with grace, wisdom, and love.

Seeking Spiritual Direction?
If you are longing for a sacred space to tend your relationship with God—to listen for Christ’s presence and the gentle movements of the Holy Spirit—spiritual direction may be a gift for your journey.

Spiritual direction is a sacred calling; one that invites deep attentiveness to God, humility of heart, and faithful presence with others. Those who offer spiritual direction are entrusted with the holy work of accompanying souls as they listen for Christ’s presence and respond to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors exists to support and sustain those who serve in this ministry. We believe spiritual directors are called to soul care as much as those we accompany. As we pour ourselves out in prayerful listening and care for others, we need sacred spaces for reflection, nourishment, and encouragement. Within ESSD, spiritual directors are held in a community shaped by shared faith, mutual trust, and a common commitment to faithful practice.

ESSD offers a place where directors can tend their own interior lives, engage in ongoing formation, and remain grounded in ethical and prayerful practice. Through fellowship, supervision, and shared learning, we seek to nurture directors who listen deeply, discern wisely, and companion others with reverence, compassion, and hope in Christ.

If you are serving—or discerning a call to serve—in the ministry of spiritual direction, we invite you to join us as we walk together, attentive to God’s presence and faithful to the sacred work entrusted to us.

Being part of the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors is more than a professional affiliation—it is a sacred space for nurturing your own soul while supporting others in theirs. Membership offers connection, encouragement, and formation within a Christ-centered community of spiritual directors who share a commitment to faithful listening and ethical practice.

Members of ESSD have opportunities to:

• Gather with fellow spiritual directors for fellowship, reflection, and prayer
• Participate in retreats and other formative experiences designed to renew your spirit
• Engage in facilitated group supervision and ongoing support for your practice
• Access resources, referrals, and guidance for ethical and professional questions
• Contribute to and learn from shared wisdom through newsletters, blogs, and educational events
• Grow in your capacity to nurture others and yourself as a companion of souls in Christ
  

Membership is a way to deepen your own spiritual formation, stay grounded in ethical and prayerful practice, and join a community that holds both the joys and challenges of spiritual direction in sacred regard.

As members of the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors, we embrace a shared calling to nurture souls—both those we accompany and our own. Spiritual direction is a ministry of sacred listening, and in offering this gift to others, we recognize the need for ongoing care, reflection, and guidance in our own lives.

We commit to practices that sustain and deepen our capacity to serve faithfully:

• Formation and Training: Members have completed a recognized spiritual direction training program of at least 30 contact hours, including both teaching and supervised spiritual direction, or have at least five years of recognized spiritual direction ministry, supported by a pastoral or professional reference.
  
• Faithful Alignment: We agree with the Emmaus Statement of Faith, Statement of Values, and Ethical Standards.
  
• Active Engagement in Community: Members remain active and in good standing in their denomination or faith community, honoring the broader body of Christ in which we serve.
  
• Ongoing Learning: We participate in at least one continuing education opportunity each year—retreats, seminars, or other formative experiences—to deepen our understanding and care for those we accompany.
  
• Supervision and Support: We engage in regular supervision, individually or in facilitated groups, attending to our interior life, reflecting on our practice, and receiving encouragement, guidance, and accountability from trusted companions.
  

Through these commitments, we cultivate sacred spaces where God can be heard, hearts can be nurtured, and souls—including our own—can flourish. Membership in ESSD is both an invitation and a responsibility: to remain attentive, prayerful, and faithful in the sacred work entrusted to us.

Membership in the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors is an invitation to walk together with fellow spiritual directors, to nurture your own soul, and to faithfully companion others in Christ. Being part of ESSD means joining a community that supports, encourages, and sustains those called to this sacred ministry.

Our Membership Tiers (Annual Fee)

• General Registration: $60
• Emmaus Graduates: $50
• Current Emmaus Students: $25
• Emmaus Certificate graduates receive their first year free

For those sensing a call to the ministry of spiritual direction Emmaus offers formation grounded in prayer, Scripture, and attentive listening to God’s movement in life. Our programs are designed to equip you with both the practical skills and the spiritual depth needed to accompany others faithfully.

• Certificate in Spiritual Direction: This foundational program provides comprehensive formation in Christian spiritual direction, including teaching, supervised practice, and opportunities for reflection and discernment.
  

• Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction: For those who have already completed foundational training and wish to deepen their practice, the Advanced Certificate offers further formation in supervision, advanced skills, and ongoing spiritual development.

• Supervision Training: We are developing training for those who supervise spiritual directors—equipping experienced directors to guide, support, and nurture others in this ministry. If you are interested in learning more or helping shape this program, we would love to connect with you.

Whether you are beginning this journey or seeking to grow in your vocation, these programs provide structured, Christ-centered pathways to prepare you for faithful and ethical spiritual direction.

We would love to hear from you—whether you are discerning a call to spiritual direction, exploring training opportunities, or interested in joining the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors.