If you’ve just booked your first session, you might be wondering how to prepare for spiritual direction. While individual companions may have a particular approach that requires unique preparation, like gardening or painting, I’ve gathered here a handful of universal points that may help you feel more prepared for your scheduled time. From my own…
When describing spiritual direction and companionship, I usually mention the term spiritual hospitality. Though not original to me, I love how this phrase captures a sense of preparation, care, and attention towards another person. Spiritual hospitality is the act of listening in a way that creates a sacred, safe space for another. This applies to…
Many years ago I sat in a small seaside office as a domestic violence survivor advocate. My work focused on safety planning, connecting folks with community resources, and facilitating support groups. I loved it. Many days were emotionally difficult, but it informed so much of my life and faith since then, including my approach to…
If the “exvangelical” and #ChurchToo movements tell us anything, sexual assault and other forms of religious abuse or trauma are more prevalent in our (faith) communities than we may like to admit. This month marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it serves as a reminder there is much work left to…
Perhaps you’ve noticed the uptick in people discussing Christianity’s connections to and complicity in racism, white supremacy, and colonialism? These are big, important subjects to tackle, and I hope if they’ve stirred something in you that you would continue to lean in and listen, as I believe they’re connected to religious trauma. In this post…
The peak of my conservative, evangelical education included several weeks at a Christian apologetics summer camp while in high school and later as a freshman in college. Those weeks included hiking in Colorado, eating my weight in delicious frozen custard, and learning the conservative evangelical script for hot-button political issues. As the years went on…