What does God want from you?

Spiritual Direction?
Would you like someone safe and understanding to talk to?
Talking with another person can give you a clearer idea of what God has been doing in your life and in the world, and how he is drawing you to himself.   This is sacred companionship, by the grace of God.
 

Who is this for?
Anyone, of any denomination, who wants it.   There is no one, lay or ordained, whose life would not be enriched by it.

Who are ‘Spiritual Directors’ ?
People drawn from all denominations.   Men and women, Religious,  ordained and lay, they are mature Christians with the experience to listen to, and encourage, you.  They are not ‘spiritual giants’, but they are safe to talk to in complete confidence and they do not judge.

In Essex and East London there are many  from all walks of Christianity, who are recognised as offering this ministry.
The service of Spiritual Direction is shared among all denominations.   It is truly ecumenical, for the Holy Spirit knows no boundaries.

What should I expect?
He/she will NOT tell you how to pray or what to do.   A Director ‘stands beside’ you, one to one, listening and encouraging you to work things out for your self.

 She/he will be able to help you grow in prayer, and to see the hand of God in your life – indeed, God is the prime mover in this.   A good Director ‘directs’ no one but, together with the directee, is under God’s direction.

 When two people meet with the honest and earnest desire to discern God’s will God, sooner or later, reveals some part of the Divine Mystery.

How does it work?
A Director can be found through one of the area coordinators listed on this web site, who will offer to explain anything you are uncertain about.    They will help you find someone suitable.

 The next step is for you to arrange to go and meet  so that together you can discern if this might be a viable relationship.   When you have ‘settled in’ to the relationship the two of you agree the frequency of future meetings.

 It sometimes happens, for all sorts of reasons, that the relationship does not work as well as it might.   In this case an honourable end can be made with no hard feelings on either side and another director approached.

Spiritual direction is often a free ministry, but some Directors make a nominal charge and others ask for a donation.

The Spiritual Direction Coordinating Group aims to promote this ecumenical ministry in Essex and East London.

Further information can be obtained from any contact listed on this web site.

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