Session 9 Soul Care

1. Contrast and compare the role of spiritual director in the Social Justice Tradition and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition. Consider their goals, procedure, and resources.

The focuses of both Traditions are different. The Social Justice Tradition places emphasis on the now whereas the Pentecostal Tradition focuses on the past or constant renewal. Both strive to bring spiritual awareness to the client. The Social Justice director seeks to address the presence of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life and to all people—a balance between individualization, community and concern for the larger world (p144). The Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition focuses on in house spiritual direction providing guidance by a designated professional (pastor or psychotherapist)—more structured (p. 157). In essence, they are both concerned with the same component-mental and spiritual health as it pertains to seeking wholeness in spiritual freedom. I define this as getting the client to see life through clear eyes as a child of God. I would like to describe the Social Justice approach as one of being proactive—helping the client to connect with their Spirit as a now happening, impacting day-to-day living for all people in all areas. (Spiritual issues). I would like to describe the Pentecostal/Charismatic approach as one of reactive—offering help after a crisis and making a connection to the Spirit from the way things used to be (reconciling unresolved past tragedies with relationship to God). The Social Justice Tradition strives to direct the client to a better understanding of how God’s love is for all and that his presence can be experienced every day in every issue of life (goal). The other strives to bring to the clients understanding that good and evil do exist--bad things will happen to good people- but experiencing the presence of God can help bring peace. Prayer is common in both of their procedures. Faith is a tool in the Social Justice Tradition, whereas, belief is achieved through Scripture stories and personal testimonies of community members who identify with the clients crisis in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition (p. 164). Noting an obvious big difference is in the experiencing of God: The Social Justice Tradition is big on experiencing God’s presence; The Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition is big on looking for an experience of God (p.158).

2. Discuss your response to Gerald May’s caution with the “Integration Movement” in Christian Counseling to include spiritual direction in the therapeutic process (p. 182-185).

The term “Integration Movement” caused me to have flashbacks to the Civil Rights Movement where segregation gave way to integration. The change greatly impacted my life both good and bad. Using this experience prompts me to respond to May’s caution in the positive. I agree that caution is in order. Also, I would have to ask, what is the purpose or focus for the integration? Is the focus on healthy or unhealthy mental health or right or wrong spiritual development about how one thinks and behaves? Speaking with my daughter who is in therapy, she suggests that clients may see this as an obstacle (judgment) to revealing their deep feelings, which is necessary for complete healing. This is not to say that there isn’t a place for spiritual direction but only after mental health has been restored. I remember when I was in therapy for my foot and the therapist began to talk about how I would be able to run a race when my foot was healed. I said to him, “First let’s get my foot healed and then I can decide how I want to use them.” I wasn’t ready to talk about marathons when I couldn’t walk. If my mental health is in jeopardy perhaps I am not ready to deal with my spirituality. Perhaps, my answer is really, “It Depends.” Whereas integration in the south was a long awaited change for many good reasons, not everyone impacted by it had good results.

Spiritual Direction Group Reflection

Good Friday, the group met and a new member joined us. The theme for the gathering was, "What Are You Struggling With?" After getting some morning snacks, the group went into prayer for the session. First, the homework assignment of reflecting on times that the presence of God was noticed in the past week was shared. I remember thinking of how blessed this group is because of their willingness to do the homework and share. More and more many are beginning to sense God's presence in their day-to-day activities. Awareness is key as we move forward in this group. Scriptures used Psalm 91:1-8, and John 4:4-15 for the lectio divina exercise. Listening and silence are beginning to appear less of a struggle. Once again, I ended the session according to my 1 1/2 hour allotted time. Afterwards, discussion continued for another 1/2 hour. It seemed no one was in a hurry to leave. The Spirit of God stirred our hearts as we looked forward to Easter Sunday and Jesus' resurrection.

Inner-Healing Prayer

Words cannot begin to describe how it felt standing before the altar of God, where a cross stands at the center, talking to God with my friend Sandra. Before praying, we stood and spoke out loud about the wounds that plague us. We have struggled with some of the same issues in our lives. Whereas we have been in the same places of prayer, we have never focused on the two of us praying as one. Emotion filled our voices as tears welled in our eyes, we were talking to God as a friend. Whereas, Sandra kneeled, I stood, because of my limitations due to knee injury, next to her with my hand on her shoulder and I prayed for God's intervention as a healer.
In silence after the prayer, we just stayed at the altar for a while. Relief was expressed as if the burdens were going to be left at the altar. Walking away from the altar, Sandra exclaimed, "I feel I have truly let go and turned things over to God." Praying with Sandra, stirred my inner soul as I felt that just acknowledging the wounds was the beginning of healing. When and if complete healing will be achieved, only God knows. Calhoun tells us that "prayers aren't magic." Sandra shared with me that Phil. 4:6 is her favored Scripture. I suggested that she memorize and use that Scripture in difficult times. Psalm 121: 1-2 is one of my favorites. We decided that both were great Scriptures worth memorizing.