What is spiritual companionship?

• Some people know of it as “spiritual direction,” and we believe the Holy Spirit is the true “director.”

• It is the practice of accompanying you with the intention of helping you to grow your relationship with God. We assume God as one who is continually communicating with us. This may include support in paying attention to God’s personal communication with you, in responding, in growing in intimacy with God, and in living out the consequences of that relationship.

• It is not counseling, which I see as a dialogue focused on coping and making the changes needed to function well in daily life. You may benefit from counseling alongside or prior to spiritual direction, since some life experiences can deeply hinder a person’s ability to hear the Spirit.

What questions of you might arise in spiritual companionship?

• Tell me a bit about your history with coaching, spiritual direction, counseling, wilderness guides.

• What did you find helpful/unhelpful?

• Why do you want a service like mine right now?

• Tell me about the religious or spiritual background of your childhood.

• Tell me about your history with your body/physical movement/ sports/wilderness adventuring.

• How have these integrated in the past?

• Would you describe a particular experience of God’s love in your life? Through your body?

• What are your current spiritual practices?

• How would you describe your current prayer life?

• How do you struggle currently with activity and spirituality?

• What are you consuming in this area? (Scripture, books, podcasts, movies, YouTube, etc.)

• How would you describe your experiences in retreat or other multi-day wilderness trips?

• How do you see God working in the relationships of your life?

• How does your spiritual life energize you to act in the world? (social justice, service, etc.)

• What is God inviting you into at this point on your journey? How are you responding?

What can you expect from me?

• Engaged in my own spiritual practice and community

• Participates in counseling and spiritual companionship myself

• Has training: Master of Divinity, Clinical Pastoral Education, Board Certified Chaplain, Hospital Work

• Engaged in ongoing spiritual formation

• Works with a group of colleagues for support

• Balance, maturity, being deeply fed

• Life experience and capacity to reflect on it

• Aware of my own vulnerability, strengths and weaknesses

• Stable enough to walk with people grappling with their own beliefs

• Respects your dignity as a human being and affirms you as you are, especially in relation to spirituality, race, skin color, gender, class, sexual orientation, politics, birthplace, immigration status, disability, or age.

• Communicates expectations of clients and them of me, including process of termination.

• Requests clients tell other professional support people about what we’re doing.

• Respects your privacy and maintains confidentiality according to applicable laws and ethical codes.

• Provides appropriate meeting places and times.

• Expects and welcomes questions of me and my practice in discerning whether to work together.

What might you want to ask me?

• What is your experience receiving spiritual direction?

• What is your experience of personal spiritual practices, communal practices, and what flows from that?

• What is your theological and spiritual training?

• What is your continuing education and enrichment?

• Tell me about your experience in a supervision group.

• What is your sense of your role as a public minister?

• Discuss your familiarity with _____________ (insert spiritual practice, Christian belief, or teaching)

• Tell me about your practical experience in this work.

• Consider how Chris listens and talks and what effect that has on your experience of the conversation.

What can be helpful?

• Consistency: in prayer, in companionship, in all things

• A yearly retreat: take the long view

• Prepare spiritually for what to bring to our sessions.

• You may want to set aside 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after to prepare to listen to the Holy Spirit and to journal or give thanks.

What about payment?

I’m aware that you can find spiritual direction for free and others may ask for $60 or more. Consider this: Make any payment you offer an outward sign of your inner experience of generosity in response to this person who is investing in you. If that sense of generosity for reciprocating goes away, let’s talk about it! If you don’t find it with me, keep looking for it with someone! Also consider what you may be able to offer spiritually to me. I always appreciate the time you spend in prayer/meditation/Sacraments for me!