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Spiritual Companionship
Spiritual Companionship
 Being formed into the likeness of Christ cannot be done in isolation.
We need companions for the journey to help guide and nurture our faith,
to help us discern God’s movement in our lives. Spiritual companions,
or “soul friends,” are rooted throughout scripture – Moses and Joshua,
Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy, to name a few.
Soul friends provide soul care for others.
Seeking a deeper relationship with Christ? Then you will also need the
support, encouragement and accountability that a soul friend can offer.
There are several variations of spiritual companionship, described as
follows.1
Spiritual Direction
"Spiritual direction is a ministry of listening, discernment, and prayer in a
confidential setting of encouragement and compassion. A spiritual director
intentionally sets aside the concerns of their own life to listen and attend to
the experience of God in the life of another."2 Read an article on Choosing a Spiritual Director from the April 2003 issue of Impact or Pathways for Finding a Spiritual Director from the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence website. We are pleased to announce the beginnings of a network of resource persons
within the Covenant to assist other pastors and laity in accessing the ministry
of spiritual direction. This list, organized by Church Conferences, contains the names
and email addresses of individuals who have volunteered their availability for
this endeavor.
Spiritual Friendship
A relationship for mutual accountability and encouragement with the
express purpose of spiritual growth together. Spiritual friends can
help us take notice of God’s presence and our response to that presence.
Discipling
A relationship of encouragement and guidance between a more mature
disciple and a younger (in spiritual terms) believer for the purpose of
moving the discipled toward spiritual maturity.
Christian Mentoring
A relationship in which one person empowers another by sharing their
God-given resources.3 This process of guiding one to his or her maximum
potential in Jesus Christ is generally done through personal modeling,
guidance and encouragement.
“We were never intended to make the life pilgrimage
alone…We want companions for the journey, companions with whom we can
share our soul and our journey.”
David Benner, Sacred Companions.4
A suggested process for spiritual friendships:5
- Prayerfully begin with yourself and your own needs.
- Prayerfully seek another with same mutual spiritual needs.
- Continue the relationship. Here is a possible agenda:
- Define the ‘covenant’ between you: a mutual agreement, basic and practical decisions, confidentiality, etc.
- Share your spiritual pilgrimages.
- Develop a ‘personal vision’ or ‘rule of life’: spiritual and
relational growth goals that can become a focus for your conversations.
- Decide on specific disciplines or relationships that need encouragement and accountability.
- Pray together in silent and spoken times. Pray for each other when apart.
- Share immediate concerns.
- Evaluate your time together periodically.
- Encourage, encourage, and encourage: ‘come alongside.’
Resources for Spiritual Companionship:
Spiritual Direction/Spiritual Friendship
Benner, David G. Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Friendship and Direction, Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2002.
Jones, Timothy. Finding a Spiritual Friend: How Friends and Mentors Can Make Your Faith Grow. Nashville:Upper Room Books, 1998.
Moon, Gary W. and David G. Benner, eds. Spiritual Direction and the
Care of Souls. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Thompson, Marjorie. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.
Vest, Norvene, ed. Still Listening: New Horizons in Spiritual Direction. Harrisburg: Morehouse Publishing, 2000.
http://www.csbsju.edu/journey/students/spiritual_companion.htm http://www.covchurch.org/cov/formation/impact/0304/adult2.html
Mentoring/Discipling
Simpson, Ray. Soul Friendship: Celtic Insights into Spiritual Mentoring. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1999.
Stanley, Paul D. and J. Robert Clinton. Connecting: The Mentoring
Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life, Colorado Springs: NavPress,
1992.
1 Adapted from "Habits of the Heart," a spiritual
formation retreat developed by the department of Church Growth &
Evangelism.2 Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, http://www.covchurch.org/spe/character 3 Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton, Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Suceed in Life, (Colorado Springs, 1992) p. 33. 4 Benner, Sacred Companions, p. 5
"Habits of the Heart" spiritual formation retreat, developed by the
department of Church Growth & Evangelism of the Evangelical
Covenant Church.
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