The Art of Spiritual Companionship

Though our culture commends independence and autonomy, Christ-shaped soul formation can’t be a solo affair; spiritual friendship is required. But not just any friend will do. According to Sacred Companions, we need partners capable of prayerful, guided attunement to God’s activity in our lives. ⁱ

Reading Your Life’s Story adds that spiritual mentoring involves learning how to read another’s story in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And this kind of reading isn’t easy. It requires commitment, preparation, and practice to learn how to listen well, ask good questions, and exercise discernment and accountability. ⁱⁱ

But Spiritual Mentoring invites all Christians to this age-old practice—not just saints and super-Christians. All Jesus followers longing for companionship and guidance are welcome. There’s plenty of help. The book features the work of such ancient writers as Augustine, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, and Teresa of Ávila.

i.   It’s fascinating that in AA ‘spiritual direction’ is precisely what is offered by ‘sponsors’. They help the sponsee ‘do the program.’ If you don’t have a good ‘program’, there will be little possibility for helpful ‘direction.’ Part of the brilliance of AA is that ‘working the program’ is also ‘training for sponsorship.’ If we ever get spiritual direction right in the Church I think it will look like that.

ii.   My friend Kevin says that ‘trusting the process’ simply means believing that an honest and sincere conversation will lead to helpful outcomes if I plunge into it with an open heart, trusting that God will lead us to places we don’t anticipate ahead of time. Conversation.