Frequently Asked Questions
What effects can I expect from spiritual direction?
God may choose to lead you in somewhat different directions than the ones you hope for. Yet in general you might look for: More pronounced fruits of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23).
A greater ability to notice what God is doing in and around you.
A greater sense of inner peace and calm.
A new sense of direction for life.
A deeper awe of God’s glory.
How often do we meet?
Most people typically choose to meet once a month, although we can meet more or less often depending on your needs. Most sessions last one hour, occasionally a bit longer.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends. Church or business leaders often choose open-ended spiritual direction as one way of cultivating a richer relationship with God. Open-ended direction can provide you with spiritual sustenace for your demanding work as a leader.
Do you offer mental health services?
No. Spiritual direction is not counseling or psychotherapy, nor do I provide such services.
What do I bring to a spiritual direction session?
Anything you wish. It could be an intriguing (or baffling) experience, a surprising event, a lack of clarity about something, or an issue you struggle with. Our conversation flows from the material you bring with you.
Can I try it out and then quit if I want to?
Yes, certainly. I do not charge for the first session, so you are welcome to explore spiritual direction and decide whether you want to continue. If you wish, you can stop at any time.
Have you published any books?
Yes. To order Prayer Practices for Terrifically Busy People, click here. To order The Dark Night: A Gift of God, click here.
What ethical standards do you uphold?
I uphold the “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct” published by Spiritual Directors International. Among other things, these guidelines require me to honor your dignity, to hold our conversations in confidence to the extent of the law, to receive spiritual direction from someone else, to participate in regular supervision, and to be faithful in my own personal and corporate spiritual practices. If you want a copy of these guidelines, I’ll gladly give you one at our first session, or at any other time.
Do you provide a written agreement for our work together?
Yes. Before or at our first session, I will share a brief agreement that we can review, discuss, and sign together.