Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

S24 Ep 3 | Attending to the Spirit: The Gift of Spiritual Direction

Sep 18, 2024

Reverend Dr. David Hughes, a seasoned pastor, shares his journey into the often-misunderstood world of spiritual direction. He candidly recounts his initial discomfort and the profound value it brings, especially for men. The discussion highlights the growing importance of spiritual direction in deepening one’s faith experience. Ruth also explores the role of spiritual directors in navigating personal journeys, the significance of listening, and the need for a safe space in spiritual exploration. This conversation is rich with insights for anyone seeking connection with the divine.

48:43

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Episode guests

David Hughes

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Spiritual direction serves as an essential practice for guiding individuals in their spiritual journeys, fostering deeper connections with the Holy Spirit.

Understanding and articulating personal desires are vital in spiritual direction, helping individuals align their lives with divine calling and authenticity.

Deep dives

The Importance of Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is emphasized as a crucial practice for those seeking to follow the Holy Spirit. This practice has origins in the Catholic tradition, where spiritual directors guide individuals in their formation and help them discern the movement of the Spirit in their lives. Unlike mentoring or pastoral care, spiritual direction focuses on helping the directee pay attention to divine guidance, allowing them to recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit's activity. This form of companionship cultivates a deeper understanding of one's spirituality, fostering an environment where individuals can explore and affirm their spiritual journey.

Intro

2min

The Role of Spiritual Direction in Christian Growth

9min

Cultivating Presence Through Spiritual Practices

2min

Navigating Spiritual Direction

24min

Integrating Mind and Spirit in Spiritual Direction

3min

Exploring Gender Dynamics in Spiritual Direction

5min

Exploring the Gift of Spiritual Direction

3min

If a greater understanding and awareness of our own desires is part of the future of Christian spirituality, then today’s topic, spiritual direction, is a necessary companion in that journey of discovery. In this episode, Ruth shares some of her thoughts on what spiritual direction is and is not, why she thinks it is an important part of the future of Christian spirituality, and some of her own personal experience as a director and a directee. Then she shares a conversation with Transforming Center friend and alumn, Reverend Dr. David Hughes, about his experience as a high-level pastor and leader who found himself with a surprising invitation to spiritual direction. David shares about how strange and even uncomfortable the practice was initially and why he thinks it’s especially important for men to enter into spiritual direction.

This season we are exploring the future of Christian spirituality. Based on her own experience and the lives of people she accompanies on the journey, Ruth has been naming what she is noticing and observing regarding the future of Christian spirituality– how the Spirit is moving and how we can align ourselves to participate in the future God is leading us into. Elements she is naming include respect for the role of desire; emphasis on spiritual direction; welcoming and inclusive; committed to justice; and more. This season Ruth will sit down with thoughtful Christian leaders to discuss their thoughts on one of these elements, as it has to do with the future of Christian spirituality. This season was inspired by the Beyond Words series by the same name. Check out those posts here.

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Chasing Butterflies from Music in Solitude

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes with each guest, guiding listeners on how to pray into these different topics. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders. Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

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