| Return |

Spiritual Direction: A Relative of Mentoring

By Juli Nelson

While mentoring is a familiar 21^st-century term within both the religious and business sectors, it is related to, but distinct from, the ancient practice of spiritual direction. While both mentoring and spiritual direction involve guidance, the similarities may end there.

Mentoring is generally an active process of guidance which includes a mentor modeling desired behavior as well as giving advice to the mentee. Spiritual direction, on the other hand, is more of a reflection process in which a spiritual director meets periodically with a person – generally not more than once a month for an hour unless it is in a retreat setting. In their time together, the spiritual director does not counsel the person nor actively model any “how to” behavior; rather, the director listens and asks questions to assist the directee in her process of discerning where and how God is at work in her life.

Within Christianity, John Cassian in the 4^th century provided some of the earliest recorded guidelines on the practice of spiritual direction. In monasteries, each novice was put under the care of an older monk. Benedict of Nursia synthesized Cassian’s guidelines into what is now known as the Rule of St. Benedict. This set of guidelines included very practical suggestions for living a balanced life with care for the body and mind as well as the soul.

Spiritual direction has been a familiar term and practice in the Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopalian traditions since the early centuries of the Church. However, in the last 25 years, the practice has gained a following within evangelicalism. Evangelical expressions of spiritual direction include seminaries offering programs in spiritual formation, the founding of Renovare by Richard Foster, and seminars by psychologist Larry Crabb on becoming a spiritual director.

Spiritual direction has a long history of providing significant spiritual support to those on a journey with God. For women in ministry, mentoring can provide helpful opportunities to observe, practice, and get advice on ministry functioning. But spiritual formation with a spiritual director may also be a valuable resource to consider. In the quietness, in the questions, in the reflection on God’s activity, the woman in ministry may find significant discernment about where and how to serve.

• home
• about us
• resources
• women in ministry
• faq
• past themes
• contact us