1) Contrast and compare the role of a spiritual director in the Social Justice Tradition and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition. Consider their goals, procedure, and resources.
The role of a Spiritual Director in the Social Justice Tradition is more like a Spiritual Friend who listens to us with love and gives caring attention through revealing to us God’s open heart. The main basis of the Spiritual Direction in the Social Justice Tradition is to seek God for divine empowerment to live out the command of God to serve humanity through loving our neighbor as ourselves. If we truly live out this command then we will find ourselves seeking to help others with world, community and national issues that affect all people (i.e. AIDS, poverty, lack of education, racism, sexism, etc.). There is no formally institutionalized program for spiritual direction in the Social Justice Tradition; however, spiritual formation is used to help people discover the movement of God in their lives through prayer, Bible Study, and spiritual friendships to assist in the confrontation of various crucial issues that affect society and our world. The goal of spiritual direction in the Social Justice Tradition is to experience the divine presence of God which will lead to justice and well-being in all human relationships and social structures through individual and group counseling and prayer, along with practice of the spiritual disciplines.
The role of the Spiritual Director in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition is not a formal position and is one that is more similar to a Prayer Warrior, Intercessor, or Spiritually Mature Person who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit and more than likely has provided some outward sign (i.e. speaking in tongues, holy dancing or laughing, etc.) that they have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The main focus is a continual quest to recapture a person’s original reception of the Holy Spirit. There seem to be no formal requirements for Pentecostal Spiritual Directors, but they must be a gifted leader and do not have to satisfy any academic or formal requirements. The oral traditions of prophecy and testimony provide the main resource for growth in the relationship between the Prayer Warrior and the Seeker. The relationship between the Prayer Warrior and the Seeker usually develops out of a spiritual issue, pain, questioning, or other crucial spiritual time for the Seeker where he/she is looking for answers to spiritual problems and the Prayer Warrior intercedes on their behalf in prayer to help them through this spiritual situation through the Holy Spirit. Participation in corporate worship is crucial, and sanctification through the experience of Spirit baptism is also essential to spiritual formation. It seems that absent an outward sign of the Spirit baptism that a Seeker may not be able to participate in Spiritual Direction in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition, but this Spirit baptism may become the focus of the relationship between the Prayer Warrior/Partner and the Seeker. The goal of the Prayer Warrior/Partner is to assist the Seeker in experiencing the reality of God’s presence and arriving at a sense of peace through prayer, instruction, Spirit baptism, corporate worship, singing and celebration, Bible Study and testimonies of others.
The role of the Spiritual Director in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition is not a formal position and is one that is more similar to a Prayer Warrior, Intercessor, or Spiritually Mature Person who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit and more than likely has provided some outward sign (i.e. speaking in tongues, holy dancing or laughing, etc.) that they have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The main focus is a continual quest to recapture a person’s original reception of the Holy Spirit. There seem to be no formal requirements for Pentecostal Spiritual Directors, but they must be a gifted leader and do not have to satisfy any academic or formal requirements. The oral traditions of prophecy and testimony provide the main resource for growth in the relationship between the Prayer Warrior and the Seeker. The relationship between the Prayer Warrior and the Seeker usually develops out of a spiritual issue, pain, questioning, or other crucial spiritual time for the Seeker where he/she is looking for answers to spiritual problems and the Prayer Warrior intercedes on their behalf in prayer to help them through this spiritual situation through the Holy Spirit. Participation in corporate worship is crucial, and sanctification through the experience of Spirit baptism is also essential to spiritual formation. It seems that absent an outward sign of the Spirit baptism that a Seeker may not be able to participate in Spiritual Direction in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition, but this Spirit baptism may become the focus of the relationship between the Prayer Warrior/Partner and the Seeker. The goal of the Prayer Warrior/Partner is to assist the Seeker in experiencing the reality of God’s presence and arriving at a sense of peace through prayer, instruction, Spirit baptism, corporate worship, singing and celebration, Bible Study and testimonies of others.
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).
I disagree with Gerald May’s caution with the Integration Movement in Christian Counseling including Spiritual Direction in the therapeutic process because since you are doing Christian Counseling then Spiritual Direction should be a part of the therapeutic process of trying to make the individual whole through encountering and direction by the Holy Spirit. I think that he raises some valid concerns regarding the roles between the client and the helper and how they can be confused if the process is not well defined in the beginning was to what one is trying to achieve through Spiritual Direction and Psycotherapy and that time can become an issue; however, just because there are issues does not mean that Spiritual Direction should not be a part of the therapeutic process. Where psychotherapy stops where does the client go to complete or get further answers? If trust with the Psycotherapist is developed with the client, wouldn’t it seem to be more consistent to also have the ability to provide Spiritual Direction since this is Christian Counseling that we are undertaking, and the Holy Spirit can provide instruction, direction and healing in ways that pure psychotherapy alone may fail due to the limits of man’s knowledge and ability.
I disagree with Gerald May’s caution with the Integration Movement in Christian Counseling including Spiritual Direction in the therapeutic process because since you are doing Christian Counseling then Spiritual Direction should be a part of the therapeutic process of trying to make the individual whole through encountering and direction by the Holy Spirit. I think that he raises some valid concerns regarding the roles between the client and the helper and how they can be confused if the process is not well defined in the beginning was to what one is trying to achieve through Spiritual Direction and Psycotherapy and that time can become an issue; however, just because there are issues does not mean that Spiritual Direction should not be a part of the therapeutic process. Where psychotherapy stops where does the client go to complete or get further answers? If trust with the Psycotherapist is developed with the client, wouldn’t it seem to be more consistent to also have the ability to provide Spiritual Direction since this is Christian Counseling that we are undertaking, and the Holy Spirit can provide instruction, direction and healing in ways that pure psychotherapy alone may fail due to the limits of man’s knowledge and ability.
I am in agreement with a negotiated perspective set forth by Moon where both psychotherapy and spiritual direction are combined in an effective manner with clear instruction and direction on the process where spiritual direction happens once a month and psychotherapy happens three times a month. I could even see each one happening twice a month to provide balance where necessary. I really like his Strategy One where the psychotherapist uses the eight functions of Spiritual Direction in the psychotherapy process and combines the effectiveness of both to help the person in a wholistic manner.
Calhoun, Part 7, Inner-Healing Prayer. This spiritual discipline connects with our discussion and reflection in the Benner & Moon material this week. Take an hour this week to practice this spiritual discipline with a trusted friend. Be prepared to encounter the Lord who is risen and alive! This is an Easter discipline that focuses upon the healing and new life in Christ. Share your appropriate reflection on this experience; keep personal those items that should not be shared on a public forum like this blog site. Thank you.
The trusted friend that I practiced this spiritual discipline with is my wife, who is my best friend and confidant. Through our time praying and discussing the issues that I have in my own spiritual journey, where I have been bruised, hurt, rejected and judged by others for the work that God is doing in my life, I have been blessed to receive and encounter Christ in a new and life changing way. I am looking forward to Resurrection Sunday and rising anew with Christ through having shared some of my deepest issues with my wife through prayer and discussion. I feel a liberation and freedom that I have not felt before. There is a newness that I am anxious about and want to share with others; however, I know that everything happens over time, but my hope is soaring because a tremendous weight has been lifted through this process. I no longer feel anger or separation but want to pray for those who have helped me to grow closer to God through the trials and tribulations that I have endured, and could only have gone through with the support and direction of the Holy Spirit. I am also going to go through the process of identifying on paper each issue that I need healing in and allow the Holy Spirit to direct me in how to address each issue according to his will with the help of healing prayer with my wife. The memorization of Psalm 23 has also provided me with a Scripture that gives me healing and understanding of my spiritual issues, trials and tribulations in a manner that I did not have spiritually before I began this memorization exercise. John 19:30 where Christ states “It Is Finished” also has provided me with further insight and spiritual direction regarding my position as I am going through healing because it is through Christ’s statement that I am assured that whatever I have gone through or am going through has already been finished in Christ. Praise God! Inner-Healing Prayer is a spiritual discipline that I will incorporate for the rest of my life with my wife because it has caused us to grow deeper in God and in support of one another. I thank God for Inner-Healing Prayer and a wife who is my best friend and spiritual support in all things.
The trusted friend that I practiced this spiritual discipline with is my wife, who is my best friend and confidant. Through our time praying and discussing the issues that I have in my own spiritual journey, where I have been bruised, hurt, rejected and judged by others for the work that God is doing in my life, I have been blessed to receive and encounter Christ in a new and life changing way. I am looking forward to Resurrection Sunday and rising anew with Christ through having shared some of my deepest issues with my wife through prayer and discussion. I feel a liberation and freedom that I have not felt before. There is a newness that I am anxious about and want to share with others; however, I know that everything happens over time, but my hope is soaring because a tremendous weight has been lifted through this process. I no longer feel anger or separation but want to pray for those who have helped me to grow closer to God through the trials and tribulations that I have endured, and could only have gone through with the support and direction of the Holy Spirit. I am also going to go through the process of identifying on paper each issue that I need healing in and allow the Holy Spirit to direct me in how to address each issue according to his will with the help of healing prayer with my wife. The memorization of Psalm 23 has also provided me with a Scripture that gives me healing and understanding of my spiritual issues, trials and tribulations in a manner that I did not have spiritually before I began this memorization exercise. John 19:30 where Christ states “It Is Finished” also has provided me with further insight and spiritual direction regarding my position as I am going through healing because it is through Christ’s statement that I am assured that whatever I have gone through or am going through has already been finished in Christ. Praise God! Inner-Healing Prayer is a spiritual discipline that I will incorporate for the rest of my life with my wife because it has caused us to grow deeper in God and in support of one another. I thank God for Inner-Healing Prayer and a wife who is my best friend and spiritual support in all things.
4 comments:
Thanks Art for your insightful and astute post, especially in regard to Edwards' caution about integration. I experienced this type of non-integration in my initial seminary counseling course. The professor told me that spiritual change, growth, and conversion are not a part of Christian Counseling; I was confused because he was teaching Dr. Charles Solomon's approach to Spirituotherapy, which is a highly integrative model. So, one can have a sound, biblical, integrative model and still apply or teach it inappropriately.
PTL! Your spiritual exercise with your wife sounds powerful. It is a blessing for you to be able to join with your spouse in this vital ministry skill and technique. Openness, honesty, truthfulness, and humility help to usher in and welcome the Holy Spirit's healing and wholeness. May the Lord continue to bond and encourage you and your wife in this spiritual journey. A caution in utilizing Inner Healing Prayer in ministry contexts, I always have a trusted prayer partner of the same gender as the counselee in the counseling room during an Inner Healing Prayer session. It is a powerful, bonding experience which requires proper boundaries. The ideal scenario would be to have all 3 persons of the same gender: spiritual director, prayer partner, and counselee. Please share your feedback.
Dr. Nissley,
I definitely agree with your statement that in the ideal setting the spiritual director, prayer partner and counselee would all be of the same gender to set up the proper boundaries because the experience that I have with my wife has been very powerful. However, I also see that without the proper boundaries that an improper relationship or dependency could develop if others are not present of the counselee's gender. The only problem that I foresee in my own ministry context is that there are not currently any female spiritual directors yet trained at my church in order to perform the spiritual director role. The Gethesemane Spiritual Direction Group has 4 women who I know will be great Spiritual Directors who could handle this sort of issue for Inner Healing Prayer in the future. If a female counselee came to me today and wanted Inner Healing Prayer, as the male Spiritual Director, I would call upon one of the women from the Gethsemane Spiritual Direction Group who are already intercessors and ask them to sit in on the session to have the proper boundaries set, but also to have the experience the session to prepare for the time when they might be able to be the Spiritual Director for an all female Inner Healing Prayer Session. Thanks so much for the insight because this helps me in my ministry context and practice.
Thanks for your fedback Art, your comprehensive, systematic approach to ministry is a valuable attribute. It takes time to build a ministry (usually @ 5 years) then the "mo" begins to build.
Wow, Art, as I read your blog I was moved by your Inner-healing prayer time with your wife. It sounds very powerful, ( I was almost enveious of that). I was also glad to read about your ministry and that your church has prayer worriers that uphold you and others. Continue to train them so that one day they too can become spiritual directors and easy your load in the meam while I was glad to hear that when you have to counsel a female or use inner-healing prayer or spiritual direction that now you use a third person in the room to pray along with you and observe what you are doing. May God bless you and your family and your ministry. Keep up the good work.
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