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Sample Covenant for Spiritual Direction
Sample Covenant for Spiritual Direction
Christian Formation and Direction Ministries
Christian Formation and Direction Ministries
A Covenant for Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction is the art of Christian conversation and listening carried out in the context of a trusting relationship. A Spiritual Director is a faith companion who listens to your life story with an ear for discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. God is the true guide and director, while the human spiritual director is like a companion or midwife, assisting you in noticing and responding to the inner voice of God. The director is primarily interested in your experience of God and how you can follow God’s call. That process is a spiritual journey into the truth about God, yourself, your relationships, your work, and the world.
The premise of Spiritual Direction is that God is present and active in your daily life in a multitude of (usually unnoticed) ways. When you slow down, begin to reflect, and take a long, loving look at what is happening around you, you begin to become aware of the experience of the presence of God. The more you know yourself, the more you know God; and the more you know God, the more you know yourself and your direction and purpose. Intimacy with God leads naturally into transformation, healing, and action.
My work as your director is to focus my attention on your spiritual experience and points of self-discovery, and to explore with you God’s will and purpose in your life. Therefore, I will not try to analyze or fix you, even though our conversations may involve deep personal sharing and exploration of personal crisis and suffering. Spiritual direction is a conversation of the heart and uses all our human faculties (intuition, emotion, imagination, senses, and intellect) to discern God’s presence and will for you, as you understand it. I pledge myself to listen with you for the voice of God and to help you notice God’s movement in your life.
Our conversations are always confidential; however, for my professional growth I ask your permission to share pieces of information with my supervisor without using your name. It is customary for directors to be under direction and supervision as part of our commitment to improving our practice.
In the beginning, I suggest we meet once a month for about an hour each session. After the first few months, we will evaluate how well direction is meeting your expectations and whether to continue. Thereafter we will meet according to a schedule that we agree upon, and will evaluate at least every 6 months whether the relationship is fruitful and should be continued or not.
Note: State law requires spiritual directors to report suspected cases of child or elder abuse, and professional ethics regarding confidentiality do not apply to self-endangerment (suicide) or harm to others.
In agreement_______________________________________ (directee) Date ______________
In agreement_______________________________________ (director) Date_______________
The Spiritual and Relational Vitality Team at JAARS
The Spiritual and Relational Vitality Team at JAARS
For pricing and more information, contact Bryan Friesen at:
learning_development@jaars.org
704.843.6292 or 704.843.6185
The JAARS SRV team:
facilitates retreats and team development events to strengthen partners in the Bible translation (BT) movement for service together
will work with your team or organization to adapt the length and content of an interactive training event to meet the particular dynamics and needs of your group.
has experience leading group events on five different continents for SIL, Wycliffe Global Alliance organizations and other partners
Spiritual Retreats
In the Bible translation movement, many say they are overly busy, frenetic and tired. The SRV Team facilitates spiritual retreats that encourage:
rest and renewal
regained focus
time alone with God
setting a new trajectory
Individual, Team, and Leader Development
Sample of Possible Topics:
Spiritual Formation
Cycle of Grace vs. Cycle of Exhaustion
Maintaining Unity and Perspectives in Difficult Relationships
Impact Awareness
Thriving or Leading in the Midst of Change
What makes a Good Team, Leader, Follower
Creating a Third Culture in a Multicultural, Multigenerational Team
Interactive Team Building Exercises and Simulations
GROW model for Individual Coaching, Leading a Meeting and Making Decisions
Coaching and Leading with Powerful Questions
Group Values
Personal & Community Outcomes: Focusing on the Future
Strengthening Our Identity
Exchanging Glasses (looking out for the interest of others)
Other topics and issues available upon request.
jaars.org
Reviews:
“One thing I am taking away from [this retreat] is that I am beloved of the Lord. It’s not what I am doing.”
~Pauline Mwanzia, Wycliffe, Africa
“[We are appreciative of] the modules on Relationships Drive Performance. They modeled what they taught us by the hundreds of people-hours of preparation, the quality of the material, and the detailed understanding of their audience.”
~Craig Russell, JAARS VP of Transportation Services
“During their recent visit [SRV] helped facilitate a week long spiritual retreat and team building for 16 [local] Bible translators, literacy workers and Scripture Engagement workers from three different language groups. In addition to the retreat, they also helped some of our departments with useful and creative team building activities as well as two informative coaching workshops. They also met with individuals and families in the community and were a source of encouragement to many.”
~Fabienne Freeland, Director SIL Cameroon
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