An Open Place: The Ministry of Group Spiritual Direction

by Daniel Schrock (Editor), Marlene Kropf (Editor)

Overview

Written from an ecumenical standpoint as a practical aid for moving those experienced in individual spiritual direction toward group practices

This book responds to the movement to expand spiritual direction beyond the classic on-with-one model. Group spiritual direction has the potential to offer the rich experience of individual spiritual direction to a much wider audience, yet very little has been written to provide guidance for starting such groups.

This book responds to that challenge. It outlines ways that a diverse and ecumenical group of spiritual directors worked to initiate groups in multiple contexts. It examines the many variables-among directors, directees, even meeting spaces-that affect and enliven this ministry. And it summarizes pitfalls, success, and discoveries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819228161
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/01/2012
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Daniel Schrock has been a spiritual director since 1996 and a Mennonite pastor since 1990. They have been collaborating to train spiritual directors at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana) since 2009.

Marlene Kropf has been a spiritual director since 1986 and a Mennonite seminary professor since 1985.

Table of Contents

Introduction Marlene Kropf vii

Getting Started

Practical Considerations in Group Spiritual Direction Marlene Kropf Daniel Schrock 3

Contexts and Experiences

Among Business Leaders Evan J. Miller 21

In the Ministry of Pastoral Care Tina Stoltzfus Schlabach 27

With Mary and a Group of Women Katie Cunningham 31

In a Retirement Center Eric Massanari 39

With Pastoral Colleagues Steve Reshan 44

With Seasoned Clergy Jeffrey L. Reese 48

In a Director's Home June Mears Driedger 54

Special Topics in Group Direction

Caring for Confidentiality in Group Direction Daniel Schrock 61

Appreciative Inquiry and Group Direction Evan J. Miller 69

Transformed on the Journey Katie Cunningham 75

Interdenominational Group Direction June Mears Driedger 83

Group Direction as Liturgy Steve Reshan 88

Group Direction in Denominational Mentoring Structures Jeffrey L. Reese 96

Tending the Soul of the Group Tina Stoltzfus Schlabach 103

Speaking in the Spirit s Tongue Eric Massanari 110

Theological Topics in Group Direction

Naming God: The Trinity in Group Direction Daniel Schrock 119

Longing for Community: Hospitality and Group Direction Marlene Kropf 127

Experiencing Koinonia: The Ecclesial Context of Group Direction Daniel Schrock 140

Becoming Faithful Mirrors: Diversity in Group Direction Marlene Kropf 147

Embracing the Mission of God: Communal Hearing in Direction Groups Daniel Schrock 161

Afterword

Spiritual Discovery Groups and Their Influence at Eighth Street Mennonite Church Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau Kevin Farmwald 169

Appendices

A Sample Group Direction Covenant 175

B Lectio Divina 176

C Prayer of Awareness 179

D Rituals of Repentance and Forgiveness 181

E Peer Supervision for Group Leaders 187

F Other Types of Direction Groups 190

G Additional Resources 193

Contributors 198

Notes 199

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book provides an important new contribution to the growing resources for group spiritual direction. An interdenominational group of spiritual directors previously trained for one-with-one relationships undergo their own formation as group spiritual directors and then report their experiences leading groups in a variety of contexts including the congregation, clergy groups, business leaders, a retirement community, and more. Thoughtful presentations on spiritual direction issues and spiritual formation-related theological topics make An Open Place a valuable addition to the field of group spiritual direction. Spiritual directors and spiritual formation ministers will want to have this book for their own continuing enrichment and skill development.”
—Dan Prechtel, Author, Where Two or Three are Gathered: Spiritual Direction for Small Groups and Consultant, Lamb & Lion Spiritual Guidance Ministries

“With exquisite skill, Marlene Kropf and Daniel Schrock show us how to invite God’s presence into group spiritual direction. Nine additional contributors share group practices with women, business leaders, retired men, pastors, and congregational groups. We witness the difference between “listening for problem solving and listening for clues to the activity of God.” We discover that it possible even in our quick paced culture to create groups that are “open, kind and generous.” The theological and historical grounding of small group gatherings, together with contemporary wisdom from spiritual direction literature, is an inspiration for all who seek to create groups where spiritual friendships are nourished. “
—Dwight H. Judy, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Formation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Author, Discerning Life Transitions: Listening Together in Spiritual Direction

Editorial Reviews

With exquisite skill, Marlene Kropf and Daniel Schrock show us how to invite God’s presence into group spiritual direction. Nine additional contributors share group practices with women, business leaders, retired men, pastors, and congregational groups. We witness the difference between “listening for problem solving and listening for clues to the activity of God.” We discover that it possible even in our quick paced culture to create groups that are “open, kind and generous.” The theological and historical grounding of small group gatherings, together with contemporary wisdom from spiritual direction literature, is an inspiration for all who seek to create groups where spiritual friendships are nourished. “
—Dwight H. Judy, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Formation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Author, Discerning Life Transitions: Listening Together in Spiritual Direction

“This book provides an important new contribution to the growing resources for group spiritual direction. An interdenominational group of spiritual directors previously trained for one-with-one relationships undergo their own formation as group spiritual directors and then report their experiences leading groups in a variety of contexts including the congregation, clergy groups, business leaders, a retirement community, and more. Thoughtful presentations on spiritual direction issues and spiritual formation-related theological topics make An Open Place a valuable addition to the field of group spiritual direction. Spiritual directors and spiritual formation ministers will want to have this book for their own continuing enrichment and skill development.”
—Dan Prechtel, Author, Where Two or Three are Gathered: Spiritual Direction for Small Groups and Consultant, Lamb Lion Spiritual Guidance Ministries

From the Publisher