Spiritual Direction
Spiritual formation is the organic, life-long process wherein God forms
THE POTTER & THE CLAY
The Hebrew prophet Isaiah states in poetic language that we are clay in the hands of God, our potter: “we are all the work of your hand.” This is a beautiful description of the the formation of the Christian into an object of beauty. Spiritual formation is the organic, life-long process wherein God forms his adopted child into the image of the Son of God. This process “includes all attempts, means, instruction, and disciplines intended toward deepening faith and furtherance of spiritual growth” (Gerald May).
As we progress in our Christian life, spiritual guidance will come to us in many ways—from friends, teachers and many other sources. When, however, this guidance comes in the form of an intentional one-on-one conversation with the sole goal of one individual’s growth, this is spiritual direction. This special process includes three persons: the spiritual director, the directee, and most importantly the Holy Spirit, who is at the center of the practice of spiritual direction. Through regular meetings with a spiritual director, the directee comes to experience and understand God’s transforming work of the Holy Spirit, leading to an opportunity to more fully respond to God’s personal communication.
THE HISTORY OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
The Christian church has a long history of modelling spiritual guidance after Jesus, the central biblical model for the practice of spiritual direction. In the New Testament period, the apostles and pastors exemplified this (see Galatians 4:19). Later the monks of the Eastern church, especially those who came to be known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers, more formally defined an emerging tradition of spiritual direction.
Historically, there are three Christians whose writings have had an especially significant impact on spiritual direction, especially as understood and practiced by Protestants. St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle provides a clear path to spiritual deepening and growth. The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross has given voice to the experience of the Christian when God seems to have vanished. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) wrote of his prayer and experiences with God and developed a systematic model for knowing Christ, which he called the Spiritual Exercises.
In recent years there has been a rediscovery of these men and women, as well as others who left to us writings on spiritual guidance and direction, and a deliberate attempt to adapt their disciplines, practices and teachings to the needs of the modern church (both Catholic and Protestant, in separate, converging streams.) It is this modern application of the ancient art which, when rooted in Jesus, is so exciting for the life and health of today’s church. Among current Protestant writers, we are blessed by the writings of Margaret Guenther, Jeannette Bakke, and Gordon T. Smith.
WHAT WE OFFER
Spiritual direction is at the foundation of what we do. Here is what we offer at Emmaus Formation Centre.
Spiritual Enrichment
Spiritual Direction: One-On-One
Spiritual Direction: Church Support
Spiritual Direction: Retreats (Group / Individual / Pastors)
EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM
Spiritual Formation Studies Certificate: 2 Year Program
Spiritual Direction Practice Certificate: 1+ Year Program
To contact an Emmaus spiritual director, please send your request to ann@emmausformation.ca
