AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION + COMPANIONSHIP
Vol.
29
No.
01
March – 2023
In This Issue
“Sanctuary is not a newer, improved version of practices of spiritual direction, but a fragile putting-into-work the very notion of companionship in a wilder world—a research assemblage of two or more persons, nonhuman participants, the invitation of brokenness, the groaning of not-knowing, and the promise of monsters. It is not a messianic rapture down the road leading to the future; it is a here-and-now approach we are already immersed in when we hold space together with others.”
— From Coming Down to Earth: Sanctuary as Spiritual Companionship in a Time of Hopelessness by Bayo Akomolafe, PhD
Articles
Bayo Akomolafe
The spiritual director opens her eyes to the sound of a knock on her door. Three polite taps followed by the squeezing of the door handle and the creaking sound of the door opening. She knows who comes.
Teresa Blythe
Centuries ago, when spiritual direction was just evolving within Christianity, there were no formation and training programs with internships or seminary degrees in spiritual direction. There were people taken under the wing of a highly experienced spiritual guide, learning as an apprentice.
Focus
Phil Fox Rose
As I write this, friends are telling ChatGPT to
write sermons and poems, and the results aren’t bad. Mind you, they’re not using them … as far as I know. I’ve played with it too. It’s fun, impressive, and uncanny.
Our Sponsors
Art Gallery
Butterfly Wingship
Jon Marro
Contemplation
Alexey Adonin
Double-Knot
Marissa Voytenko
Light
Carin Huebner
Renewal
Sarah Rehfeldt
Embrace the Silence
Salyna Gracie
More Articles
Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
Reviews
by James K. A. Smith
Reviewed by Kelly Murphy Mason
by Deborah Threadgill Egerton, PhD
Reviewed by Kathryn Madden, rc
edited by Dr. Kristen Hobby et al.
Reviewed by Karen L. Erlichman
by Ruth Haley Barton
Reviewed by Stephanie Bussey-Spencer Patton
by Brian D. McLaren
Reviewed by Greg Richardson
by Haviva Ner-David
Reviewed by Karen L. Erlichman
by Richard Rohr, OFM
Reviewed by Elaine Fourie
Our Sponsors
Publisher:
Spiritual Directors International
Executive Director:
Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, MTS
Editor-in-Chief:
Phil Fox Rose
Media Review Editor:
Pegge Erkeneff
Art Editor:
Matt Whitney
Graphic Designer:
Tobias Becker
Web Designer:
Ann Lancaster
Founding Editor:
Susan S. Jorgensen, MA
Poetry Editor:
Jennifer (Jinks) Hoffmann
Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction is published in March, June, September, and December. Presence offers a forum among diverse people and spiritual traditions for the exploration of present and future trends in the art and ministry of spiritual direction. Presence is grounded in the belief that our deepest calling is to be present to one another as we share the gift of ourselves. Presence strives to articulate the essential elements of contemplative practices, formation, and training; to encourage accountability; and to develop clear ethical guidelines. Presence supports a global contemplative dialog of spiritual care and compassion for others, ourselves, and the whole cosmos. ISSN 1081-7662.
Opinions expressed in this journal are the opinions of the authors and advertisers and may not represent the opinions of Spiritual Directors International, the coordinating council, or the editors. All biblical quotations are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
The Home of Spiritual Companionship
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Bellevue, WA 98009
