We are not alone.God is present with us. And God gives us companions on the journey. A spiritual director is one such companion, offering spiritual guidance to help



- make sense of the faith journey

- interpret the significant markers on the road

- encourage us, particularly through the more difficult transitions and valleys of our pilgrimage

- and, most of all, to notice the ministry of the Spirit in our lives

Gordon Smith writes:Even if we have been Christians and maturing in our faith for many years, we still need the encouragement and guidance that might come through spiritual direction. . . . Genuine humility is evident in our realization that we need a companion, a fellow pilgrim and Christian, who can help us discern and foster an attentiveness to God's presence in our lives. This is the gift of spiritual direction.Whether you are a director, a directee or simply someone who wants to learn more about this ancient ministry, you will findthis book to be a helpful guide.



Gordon T. Smith is the president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, where he also serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology. He is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the author of many books, including Institutional Intelligence, Called to Be Saints, and Your Calling Here and Now.



1 The Ministry of Spiritual Direction

2 Theological Perspectives

3 Focused Conversation

4 Attending to What Is Happening in Our Prayers

5 A Spiritual Direction Session

6 Pastoral Ministry, Evangelism and Friendship

7The Qualities and Character of a Director

8 The Qualities and Character of a Directee

9 The Holy Spirit as Spiritual Director

Notes

For Further Reading