My spiritual director says …

Christian Century, June 1, 2004

MY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR SAYS ...: Deborah Smith Douglas thinks it is trendy in some mainline Protestant circles to mention one's spiritual director--all the better if one's director is a Roman Catholic sister of a rigorous religious order like the Carmelites. Douglas, herself a Protestant spiritual director, wonders why feminist and other critiques of the professionalization of the ministry aren't applied to the practice of spiritual direction, which also can be hierarchical and unilateral.

She suggests Protestants should explore the spiritual resources in their own tradition, such as Reformation understandings about mutual accountability, community discipline and the priesthood of all believers, as well as pursue the ancient practice of spiritual friendships, which are more mutual and intimate than a relationship with a director, yet still corrective and supportive (The Praying Life: Seeking God in All Things, Morehouse).