Spiritual Formation (def.) — “the process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others”
— Dr. M. Robert Mulholland Jr.
Spiritual Formation & Spiritual Direction Resources
What is Spiritual Formation?
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Spiritual Formation is a partnership with God, choosing to form our attention, devotion, and daily decisions toward God, and asking Him to transform us by His Spirit. It is not a self-centric process for personal improvement or another method of self-help. It is the active participation with the Holy Spirit to bring God’s Kingdom to earth.
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Spiritual Practices and Spiritual friendship are seen throughout the Scriptures, but this particular method and mode of discipleship to Jesus began in the late third century with the desert mothers and fathers as a way of devoting themselves to the Way of Jesus in solitude and in community.
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The rhythms of spiritual formation are seen throughout Scripture but are most clearly visible in the shared lives of Jesus and His closest friends. For the three years that Jesus lived in community with His disciples, they talked to God together, they went to weddings and parties, they gathered to read Scripture and worship together. As friends of Jesus ourselves, we want to spend our lives walking with Jesus, praying, feasting, fasting, and worshiping together with Him, the way we see Him and His disciples doing in the gospels. (See also Romans 12:1-2 and Philippians 1:6.)
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Spiritual formation is made up spiritual practices arranged into what ancient believers called a “rule of life.” These are not “rules for life” that are meant to exhaust or overextend. Rather, a rule of life is the conscious act of arranging our lives into sustainable rhythms that form and shape us into people who speak, act, and love more like Jesus. These rhythms and practices include silence & solitude, prayer, reading Scripture, feasting, fasting, practicing Sabbath, caring for the body, and many more!
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Spiritual Formation is the choice of one person to form their lives around the presence and teachings of Jesus.
Spiritual Direction is a regular rhythm of meeting with a certified spiritual director, who walks with you as you explore your own spiritual journey. A spiritual director’s role is to pose good questions, facilitate conversation with God, and offer guidance as you discern decisions for your life.
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You do not need a spiritual director to be transformed by Jesus! That is the sacred ministry of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Directors are not pathways to God, just a spiritual friend to walk with as you journey.
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You might be ready for a spiritual director if …
You’re trying to start or re-start the conversation with God
You’re a leader, educator, mental health professional, or ministry professional, and you need someone to pour into you the way you pour into others
Your spiritual life feels dry, weary, near burnout, or just at a plateau
You want to grow in the skill of listening for God
You are carrying wounding from the Church and want to unpack that hurt in a safe environment
You are a creative who cannot connect with your creativity anymore
You need discernment to make decisions in your life and your leadership
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Short answer: Nope!
Long answer: While some spiritual directors work only within their faith context, many (myself included) are open to working in interfaith spaces. Regardless of whether we agree on everything, my goal is to provide a safe place for you to notice the Divine in your everyday and recognize the beauty and glory contained in your ordinary life.
Formation & Direction
For Individuals
Spiritual Formation is a non-linear journey for each and every person who follows Jesus, but like pilgrims on the path, we share what we have found with each other. I post all of my favorite resources, quotes, as well as my own practices, liturgies, and poetry on Substack! You can follow my explorations and field notes as I journey with Jesus. (NOTE: both paid and free options available)
As a certified Spiritual Director, and I love meeting one-on-one with people who want to explore their spiritual world. To get started (1) book a slot on my calendar and (2) add a “spiritual direction session” to your cart and fill out the form so I can get to know you!
Formation & Direction
For Groups
Community is a spiritual practice, and we need each other as we learn what it means to follow Jesus. If you have a group of friends, a small group, or a church interested in group spiritual direction, conferences, or retreats, send me an email! I love working with groups and often incorporate spiritual direction in my preaching, speaking, and musical worship. Also, check out my offerings for churches, nonprofits, and counseling centers below!
Churches, Organizations, and Helping Fields
Training Sessions
Whether you’re a church, school, counseling center, or nonprofit, you need safe restorative spaces where you can grow together. Book a training session digitally or in-person to practice spiritual direction together or integrate into your team’s DNA. Trainings I offer:
Spiritual Formation 101:
Rhythms & Practices That Make Space for Growth (1-3 hours)
Who is Spiritual Direction For?
When to Refer Clients or Congregants to a Spiritual Director (1 hour)
Ancient Paths:
Spiritual Direction Tools for Pastors, Leaders, and Mental Health Professionals (1-3 hours)
Psyche & Soul:
Where Spiritual Direction Meets Mental Health (1 hour)
Spiritual Support Options
Providing access to spiritual direction is a beautiful way for employers care for their team. A safe environment in which to wrestle, discern, and meet with God can lower cognitive dissonance, refresh and restore, and help to prevent burnout. You can do this in a variety of ways:
Gift a Session
Cover the cost of a spiritual direction session to bless your staff members, provide support, or create structure for personal retreat days.
Employer-Match Spiritual Direction
Offer reduced rates of spiritual direction to your team by covering 50% of the cost of monthly spiritual direction sessions.
Staff-Support Spiritual Director
Contract a spiritual director to be available to your organization, staff, clients, or congregants with the option of adding on group spiritual direction, trainings, and retreats for your team.
Retreats
So many bosses, leaders, and lead pastors are excellent at providing retreats for their team, but leaders need rest too. Hire a spiritual director to lead your staff through days of rest and reset with one of my retreats (musical worship and individual spiritual direction add-ons available):
Prayer & Meditation:
Exploring ancient prayer practices: Lectio Divina, Ignatian gospel readings, imaginative prayer, and silence & solitude
Water from a Deep Well:
Guarding the Sacred in Your Soul and Your Organization
Sustainable Spirituality:
The Helper’s Guide to Asking for Help, Saying No, and Escaping Burnout
Restore & Re-Envision:
Group Direction Sessions, Discernment, and Creative-Planning Workshops