Spiritual Direction with Alan Johnson

Spiritual Direction with Alan Johnson

From Freely Given by 1517 Podcasts

January 17, 2025 · 24 min

About this episode

Rev. Alan Johnson discusses the role of a spiritual director and the differences between spiritual direction and pastoral care.

What is a spiritual director? Are they directing your spiritual life? Are they telling you to do something? Are they fulfilling a pastoral role? Rev. Alan Johnson talks about this, as he has been studying it for his disseration. He distinguishes the difference between a spiritual director and a pastor, and would explain that spiritual direction is listening to someone and helping them pay attention to God's work in their life. Spiritual directors seek to ask good questions, rather than give answers. A spiritual director is more of a mentor who can, as Eugene Peterson said "show up and shut up" and let people talk and work through problems, and help people gain some clairty through that process. This was a fascinating conversation, on working through when you feel "stuck" and various aspects of the church body who can continually point us to Christ. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits…

People in this episode

Guest: Alan Johnson

Topics covered

  • spiritual direction
  • mentorship
  • pastoral role
  • listening
  • Christianity
  • faith guidance

Keywords

  • spiritual director
  • pastor
  • listening
  • Christian mentorship
  • faith
  • clarity
  • questions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 1517 Podcasts

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