Spiritual Direction

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is an established Christian practice with a long and rich tradition of helping people attend to God’s presence and activity in their lives. Usually taking the form of regular conversations over an extended period, it offers a relationship of ongoing spiritual accompaniment rather than support for a particular issue or season alone. Through meeting with a trained Spiritual Director, people are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, deepen their prayer, and become more aware of God’s gentle leading in the everyday circumstances of life.

A Spiritual Director is not there to give advice, solve problems, or tell someone what to do. Rather, they offer attentive listening, thoughtful questions, and a safe, confidential space in which people can explore their relationship with God and discern where the Holy Spirit may be at work. People seek Spiritual Direction for many reasons: exploring vocation, navigating periods of change, discerning important decisions, deepening their life of prayer, or simply seeking to grow in attentiveness to God over time. At its heart, Spiritual Direction is about companionship on the journey of faith and learning to recognise God’s presence more deeply in every aspect of life.

Spiritual Direction in the Diocese of St Albans

The Diocese of St Albans recognises the important role that Spiritual Direction plays in supporting Christian discipleship, vocation, formation and ministry. Through the diocesan Spiritual Direction Scheme, we seek to connect people with trained spiritual directors who can accompany them in their journey of faith.

Current Availability

Demand for Spiritual Direction continues to grow, and the current diocesan scheme has now reached its capacity. As a result, we are not presently able to offer Spiritual Directors to all who enquire. We recognise the importance of Spiritual Direction in supporting vocation, formation, ministry and discipleship, and we are committed to increasing the number of trained Spiritual Directors available across the Diocese. Those seeking Spiritual Direction at the present time may wish to explore the directory provided by the London Centre for Spiritual Direction, which includes trained Spiritual Directors from a range of Christian traditions.

Growing the Scheme

To expand provision, we are working in partnership with the SpiDir Network through their Holy Ground training programme. The Diocese has committed funding to train six new spiritual directors each year over the next three years. As part of this investment, each newly trained Spiritual Director will commit to accompanying at least four directees, helping to increase the availability of Spiritual Direction across the Diocese over time. Initially, priority within the diocesan scheme will be given to those engaged in discernment, those preparing for ministry, and those already serving in ministry, both lay and ordained. This reflects the importance of spiritual accompaniment within the Church’s processes of formation and ministerial development.

As the number of trained spiritual directors grows, our aim is to make spiritual direction more widely available through the diocesan scheme to others who would benefit from this ministry.

We are grateful for your patience as we build capacity and develop a sustainable network of spiritual directors for the future.

Interested in Becoming a Spiritual Director?

One of the most important ways we can increase access to Spiritual Direction across the Diocese is by supporting and training new Spiritual Directors. If you are interested in exploring this vocation, we would be delighted to hear from you. The SpiDir Network’s Holy Ground Spiritual Direction Training Course is designed for Christians who sense a call to accompany others in their spiritual journey and who wish to develop the skills, understanding, and discernment needed for the ministry of Spiritual direction.

Those considering training should already be receiving regular Spiritual Direction themselves and be prepared to make a substantial commitment to the programme. This includes participation in online teaching sessions and in-person training days, completing reading and reflective assignments, engaging in direction practice sessions, and working openly and thoughtfully with their own spiritual experience.

Entry to the training is through an application process that includes a written application, a reference, and an informal interview. Completing the course does not automatically lead to recognition as a spiritual director. Throughout the training, participants engage in an ongoing process of discernment with the course tutors and the SpiDir Network. A certificate is awarded only where tutors discern a suitable vocation and aptitude for this ministry.

If you would like to explore whether this may be the right next step for you, please contact the Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry for an initial conversation.