Spiritual Directors in Europe

Annual gathering of Spiritual Directors in Europe in Rättvik, Sweden

At the end of April I attended the annual gathering of Spiritual Directors in Europe (SDE). It was particularly special that it was held in Sweden this year and I was able to be part of the planning committee. SDE brings together spiritual directors from a wide background of church traditions from around Europe. During the gathering various members offer seminars for the enrichment and continued learning in this ministry. This was my second gathering and it is such a gift to be in community with so many wise and experienced directors. And this year, as we are not many from the free church traditions attending, I was invited to give a lecture on the roots of spiritual direction within Swedish pietism and the Covenant Church.

Four Covenant pastors and spiritual directors attended the gathering. (Fabio Muniz, far right serves in Lyon, France with Serve Globally.

This gathering also included two other global mission leaders serving in France and the UK. In our conversations we discussed how this training plays such a vital role in the work with do in supporting global personnel and in of our local ministry. In Stockholm I am offering Spiritual direction to local pastors, and young professionals. Sometimes it is through taking a walk and the person shares and I listen with them for God’s movement in their life. If you are interested in learning more about the ministry of spiritual direction check out this recent article in the Covenant Companion. I found it to be a very down to earth conversation about what it is and how it can be a blessing to people who desire to know and love God more.

Lake Siljan, Dalarna near our retreat center.