History of Spiritual Direction

It is important to know that Christian spiritual direction is not a “new thing” or fad but has a long tradition with its roots not only in the early Church of Christianity but throughout the Old and New Testament. In the long development of the people of God, spiritual leaders have arisen regularly to shepherd the people’s souls. From Moses to David and the prophets, spiritual direction has been a part of seeking God. And of course, this has always been the intent of Jesus.

The practice of spiritual direction and soul care has continued throughout Christian tradition. As with Apostle Paul and his Epistles, letter writing was the most common means of offering spiritual nurture and direction throughout the first and second centuries. Thousands sought out informal direction from the Desert Fathers and Mothers in the 4th and 5th centuries and from “soul friends” of the Celtic tradition, also in the 5th century. This led to the rise of monasticism and formal spiritual direction throughout the first and second Christian millennia for those not only in the vowed communities but also for all who sought to know and be known more deeply by God. As Protestantism grew, teaching became the primary means for spiritual nourishment, causing traditional spiritual direction to be either moved under pastoral counseling or lost all together.

However, as the Christian Church has moved into the post-modern era, the role of spiritual direction is experiencing a necessary reemergence. It is for this reason that many seminaries are introducing formal degrees to train spiritual directors in the skill and art of Christian spiritual direction and soul care.