Spiritual Direction is first and foremost holy listening, presence and attentiveness to the movement of the Spirit. Spiritual direction at SPR is the primary ministry offered by D. Maria Neighbors, Pastoral Associate.

Spiritual Direction is a ministry that has been practiced in the Christian Church since its early centuries. In the late 1960s, the ministry began to experience a sustained revival that extends to the present day.

Before the 1960's, what was called Spiritual Direction consisted of pastoral counseling dealing with problems and solutions rather than assisting people with their relationship with God. Spiritual Direction is not psychotherapy, nor is it an inexpensive substitute.

People seek out Spiritual Direction for a variety of reasons. Some folks come knowing there is a decision that they need to make, and they want to do so within the context of prayer and discernment. Other individuals are curious about the process and simply want to learn more about what it means. While other folk are seeking practical help in finding the rhythms and forms of prayer that are most fruitful for them.

Whatever the motivation, the process involves meeting with a companion for an hour every three our four weeks. The role of the companion is not to give advice or direction so much as to listen with and encourage the "directee" to listen more closely to their own experience; this then permits the person to notice the movements and nudges of the Spirit and then to respond out of a place of relative freedom.