about
Spiritual Direction
We all need help on this sacred journey of the spiritual life. The act of having someone create space for us to discern the presence of God is the gift of spiritual direction. We all live busy, noisy, highly distracted lives. Having coaches, counselors, mentors, and friends is important. A spiritual director is a bit different. A spiritual director creates space and listens with you, they don’t so much give direction, rather they help someone to discern God’s direction and to experience God's presence.
Richard Foster puts it like this, “A spiritual direction relationship is one way to help us pay attention to God’s divine work. It interrupts our typical routine long enough to help us notice God’s wooing of us and become more deeply aware of God’s presence with us.”
about
Erik Willits
Erik Willits is an Anglican priest and serves as a spiritual director to anyone seeking deeper awareness of God's presence and guidance in their life. He also serves with Standing Stone Ministry, where he provides spiritual care and coaching to pastors, priests, and ministry leaders.
Erik received a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Olivet Nazarene University and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He is currently taking part in Leadership Transformation’s Selah School of Spiritual Direction.
Erik is passionate about spiritual formation, the liturgical life of the Church, and theological aesthetics, as well as woodworking and good BBQ.. He frequently writes about these topics and more on his Substack, Transfigured Imagination.
Erik lives in Franklin, TN, with his wife Andrea and their three children Jack, Reese, and Soren. Read Erik’s full bio.
“ The sacred journey of our spiritual life is impossible unless we have good companions. I would love to connect and explore if spiritual direction is right for you.”
Why a spiritual director can be a profoundly important part of your spiritual life…
Deepen Your Relationship with God
A spiritual director can help you become more aware and responsive to God’s presence. Cultivating spiritual awareness is key to a thriving life with God.
Experience Companionship on the Journey
A spiritual director serves as a trusted companion, offering support and encouragement as you navigate the sacred journey of your spiritual life.
Cultivate an Intentional Plan for Spiritual Growth and Formation
Finding spiritual practices that work for you, creating a rule of life (an intentional plan for growth and formation), and be challenging. A spiritual director can help! And they can offer encouragement and insight along the way.
Find Help to Experience God in a Challenging or Painful Situations
A time will come when you wonder, “Where is God?” Spiritual direction can help to discover God’s presence, comfort, and redemptive work in the midst of silence, suffering, and uncertainty.
Find Companionship in Times of Dryness, Confusion, or Restlessness
When (not if) difficult times come in your spiritual life, a spiritual director can help you explore and process your experience and navigate times of spiritual drought.
Explore Spiritual Discernment With Difficult Decisions
Spiritual direction offers guidance in discerning God’s will for your life, especially during seasons of change or important decisions.
Experience a Space to Slow Down and Still the Chatter
Life can be noisy and chaotic; spiritual direction can help cultivate space to slow down and experience silence. Spiritual Direction is the gift of a sacred space to pause, reflect, and listen for God’s voice.
Receive Spiritual Support in Times of Doubt or on a Journey of Deconstruction
Doubt is a normal part of the Christian life. Deconstruction has become a common journey. When you need a safe and supportive space to explore your questions, rediscover what’s beautiful, true, and good, spiritual direction is a great option.
FAQs
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is a space one person creates to help another person be attentive to the presence of God; exploring how God is speaking and how we are responding. Couched in prayer, the director and directee are attentive to how the Spirit is moving in the directee’s life, especially when it might be hard to discern.
What is a Spiritual Director?
A Spiritual Director is one who holds space, comes alongside, and listens with another person to help discern how the Holy Spirit is moving and active. A spiritual director is a companion on the sacred journey of the spiritual life, one who helps to facilitate a greater awareness of God’s presence in every day life.
What takes place in Spiritual Direction?
The directee brings whatever is on their mind and heart into the session. Questions, struggles, joys, relationships, doubts, fears are all welcome. We trust that God is working in all of it, and we sit together to listen and discern his presence.
A spiritual direction session typically lasts 60 minutes and takes place monthly. We begin with stillness and silence, we may read a passage of scripture or a prayer, and then the directee shares what is rising up inside of them or what they’ve brought with them to explore. We listen together and discern how the Spirit is leading. All of this takes place in a quiet, private space free of distraction, interruption, criticism, or exposure. Sessions can occur in person or virtually.
Is spiritual direction right for me?
Maybe. Consider scheduling a time to explore spiritual direction and ask all the questions you might have. Then prayerfully discern if spiritual direction is something God is inviting you into. Schedule a 30-minute call to explore if spiritual direction is right for you at this time.
Is Spiritual Direction like counseling, therapy or coaching?
The practice of spiritual direction is not at all like many other important and worthwhile practices. It’s not counseling or therapy; it’s not coaching or mentoring. A spiritual director is not a guru or spiritual authority but simply a spiritual companion traveling a similar road, called to help others. You won’t be analyzed or diagnosed. The aim is not to set goals and move toward desired outcomes. This is also not a discipleship setting to learn more about God or how to follow Jesus. Spiritual direction is a space to encounter God and cultivate a deeper awareness of his presence.
How much does spiritual direction cost?
Fees for spiritual direction vary, but typically range from $50 - $100 per session, depending on your ability. If that amount is prohibitive, please feel free to talk with me about an amount that best fits your budget.
Are the sessions confidential?
Yes, spiritual direction is a safe and confidential space. Confidentiality creates trust and an environment for spiritual growth. This confidentiality extends not only to the content of the sessions, but also to the identity of those served. Directees are free to share if desired, but a spiritual director will keep their relationship confidential.
Do I need to belong to a specific denomination?
No. Spiritual direction is open to anyone from any tradition or background.
Do I need to prepare for a session?
There is no formal preparation required. However, many find it helpful to spend time in prayer or reflection before a session, identifying any questions, struggles, or experiences they would like to explore with their spiritual director.
