Michigan Congregational Spiritual Direction Timeline
April – June 2027: Pre-Work
During this “get to know you” period, your congregational spiritual director will visit your church several times. She will attend a vestry meeting, several worship services, and meet with key leaders in the congregation. Part of this pre-work is putting together a congregational spiritual autobiography. Your spiritual director will guide you through the process. Churches that have done this project have found it very enriching spiritually and communally. It is important work before getting into spiritual direction.
July 2027: Opening Workshop
Your spiritual director will offer a 1- or 2-day workshop (whatever works best for the church). This workshop will focus on learning communal spiritual practices to deepen the spiritual life of the congregation and will include an opening assessment.
August – November 2027: Congregational Spiritual Direction Sessions
Your spiritual director will visit your church 6 times between August and Thanksgiving for spiritual direction sessions with your congregation. Some will take place on Sunday mornings or at other regularly scheduled meetings, such as vestry meetings. We try to integrate congregational spiritual direction into the pre-existing life of the church so it doesn’t feel burdensome and so that as many people as possible can participate.
Advent 2027: Closing Workshop
Your spiritual director will offer a 1-day closing workshop, which will include reflecting on the movement made during spiritual direction, next steps, and the completion of a closing assessment.