Spiritual Direction


Questions

Spiritual Direction 101

  1. What is Spiritual Direction?
  2. What Happens in Spiritual Direction?
  3. Who Needs Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction with Melissa

  1. What is Melissa Like as a Spiritual Director?
  2. What are Melissa's Qualifications for Spiritual Direction?
  3. Does Spiritual Direction Have to Be in Person?
  4. How Much Does Spiritual Direction Cost?

Answers

Spiritual Direction 101

  1. What is Spiritual Direction?

    Spiritual Direction is an intentional session to seek  divine guidance in life.  A spiritual director is not a therapist, a counselor, or a priest. Rather, she is a companion in the spiritual journey.  Silence, openness, and a space to be with the divine are all central to a meaningful spiritual direction session.

    Common Topics in Spiritual Direction Include:

    • Prayer
    • Stress
    • Relationships
    • Healing
    • Struggles with Faith 

     For more on spiritual direction, check out Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction by Margaret Guenther.


  2. What Happens in Spiritual Direction?

    Spiritual direction is a safe space to share your faith journey. It's a place to share tips on prayer, worship and devotion, explore wisdom from the Bible and the lives of the saints. Most importantly, a spiritual director offers accountability and support throughout the spiritual journey. 


  3. Who Needs Spiritual Direction?
    • Active ministers of all denominations
    • Those training to be ministers and religious
    • Anyone in a spiritual crisis- a changing relationship with the divine.
    • Anyone seeking greater intimacy with God

Spiritual Direction with Melissa

  1. What is Melissa Like as a Spiritual Director?

    Melissa upholds the Benedictine motto "ora et labora," or "work and pray" in spiritual direction.  Given the winding path of Melissa's own life as a freelance writer and minister, she is especially interested in nurturing the intersection of creativity and spiritual exploration and she nurtures and encourages directees to develop their creativity to the glory of God.

    Seeking God requires prayer, but actually living God's call is hard work. Melissa offers a patient ear and open heart. Along the way, Melissa strives to make the journey fun with humor. Life is too short not to laugh.

  2. What are Melissa's Qualifications for Spiritual Direction?

     Melissa has a Masters in Theological Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. At seminary, Melissa earned a concentration in pastoral care, the ministry of guiding others in their spiritual lives. A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa continued her training in the art of encouraging others to grow spiritually and gained experience being present with others through grief, loss, birth, and the other ups and downs of life. Melissa currently serves as a volunteer chaplain for the Labette Assistance Center, a community resource for those struggling financially in Labette County, Kansas.

    Melissa is a confirmed Christian in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. A member of the Worker Sisters and Worker Brothers of the Holy Spirit, an Anglican religious community with a modified Benedictine rule, Melissa has dedicated herself to loving and serving God in the world by living a holy life not in a monastery, but in her daily life.

    Melissa has studied mystical theology, or care of the soul, as an intern with the Souljourners Program, a Spiritual Direction training program offered by the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. Melissa has been in spiritual direction herself for over a decade, and she has offered spiritual direction for two years.

  3. Does Spiritual Direction Have to Be in Person?

    Traditionally, a spiritual director and a directee (the person seeking a spiritual guide) meet in person for a session as needed.

     Due to demand, Melissa offers phone and online spiritual direction with great success, though her preference is in person. She is available within an hour of Parsons, Kansas U.S.A.

  4. How Much Does Spiritual Direction Cost?

    Spiritual direction, like all ministries, is rooted in God and a zeal to serve and connect. For Melissa, it is impossible to put a price tag on the privilege of being a part of others' spiritual growth. Free will donations are gratefully accepted.
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