23 – 3 new job profiles

Spiritual direction involves walking with another person in an intentional relationship. While a  spiritual director shares their own experience in a limited way, the focus is on listening to and the reflecting back to the directee what is heard and observed. The Spiritual director focuses on helping that person pay attention to where God is present and what He is doing in their life. They also use their informed knowledge of historic approaches to spiritual growth.

This often includes spiritual practices such as journaling, sacred imagination, lectio divina (or sacred reading), and contemplative prayer. The person shares their experience of the spiritual journey with the director who responds to their stories and themes with counsel, questions and in many instances, a ministry of presence, of just being with them.

Spiritual direction can be offered on a weekly, monthly or every so often basis. It often stretches into years and grows deeper as the relationship grows deeper.

A good spiritual director is a guide who offers you advice through a faithful observance of spiritual formation activities (disciplines). They will help you, through reflection on the current events of your life, and through praying with you, to become more present to your own relationship with God and to the subtle ways in which He may be nudging you. They might help you discern which spiritual practices or methods of prayers are most helpful for you.

It is common for Spiritual Directors to take particular course work and receive a certificate from a recognized institution. This requires one to be in spiritual direction him or herself in order to understand what it is like and to offer that experiential base to others.

Spiritual Directors are often affiliated with religious organizations or are housed by them in their buildings with a kind of adjunct status. They are often paid directly by their clients.

Spiritual Directors can be clergy or laypersons, and either male or female. The qualities that will ensure their ability to fulfill their role are a mature and well-informed faith and prayer life of their own, and the ability to listen to, encourage, and challenge their spiritual charge to a greater awareness of God’s action and call in their life.

Maintain an exemplary standard of ethics and conduct that reflects Biblical principles *  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA): • Experienced in the dynamics of interpersonal conflict • Trained in dealing with conflict Biblically • Field experience highly desired. • Healthy, positive view of organization (administration; membership; goals). • Vision, aptitude, and a heart for people. • Effective and engaging interpersonal skills essential.

Positively impacts the SIL community by promoting spiritual, relational, and emotional vitality through proactive and reactive activities. • May use assessment tools for identification of needs.• Develops entity resources to respond to need • Consults with administration and membership on needs, policies, options, and resources • Facilitates dialogue and resolution of conflict • Available for problem-solving • Networks with a Community of Practice and the Global HR team, and other member care providers. • Helps peers develop community self-care strategies effective in building personal hardiness and resilience, understanding common reactions to trauma and how to assist fellow staff in dealing with those reactions • Helps the community support peer support, identify and cope with transitional issues. 

– Gathers and disseminates prayer requests.

– Reports on updates and answers to prayers.

– Relates appropriately to other established prayer groups/partners.

– Coordinates with other prayer facilitators.

– Organizes special concerts of prayer.

– Promotes prayer programs.

– Grounded in Scripture.

– Personal life experience in trusting and walking with God.

– Expectant of God’s grace and mercy in all situations.

– Physical Abilities: While performing the duties of this job, the staff person is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk and/or hear. The staff person frequently is required to walk and sit. The staff person is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The staff person must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.