An Open Place

The Ministry of Group Spiritual Direction

This book responds to the movement to expand spiritual direction beyond the classic one-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, successes, and discoveries.