By Bill and Kristi Gaultiere
Who is personally investing in your relationship with God? Who is a safe person that you respect that you go to for spiritual help with the places that you are stuck or need guidance? Every pastor, missionary, ministry leader, and dedicated disciple of Jesus needs a Soul Shepherd.
Christian spiritual direction is an ancient form of soul care focused on guiding someone in their relationship with God. It provides a confidential and explicit context for you to receive prayerful listening, encouragement, and guidance in your journey of following Christ.
Kristi and I (Bill) have been offering “Christian Soul Care” since 1987, Kristi as a Marriage and Family Therapist and myself as a Psychologist. In psychotherapy we help people to overcome depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, and relationship conflicts. Often as part of this process we help people to grow in the grace of Christ through spiritual conversation, meditation on Scripture, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines.
Examples of Spiritual Direction Needs
Since 2003 we have been offering the ministry of spiritual direction to help pastors, pastor’s wives, missionaries, and other ministry leaders and caregivers:
- Becoming more aware of God’s presence (perhaps God seems distant)
- Spiritual renewal (including dealing with stress overload or ministry burn out)
- Discerning God’s direction
- Guidance in prayer and spiritual disciplines
- Help with a “Dark Night of the Soul”
- Spiritual companionship in your journey
Sliding Scale for Pastors
The suggested fee for spiritual direction is $110. (Pastors and other ministry leaders/caregivers can be seen on a sliding scale and be partially subsidized by the people who make tax-deductible donations to Soul Shepherding.)
Another way that we provide soul care and spiritual mentoring for pastors and pastors’ wives is through our monthly Soul Shepherd Groups. There is no cost for these groups, but donations to Soul Shepherding are appreciated.
We also offer intensive Soul Therapy Days for ministry leaders and other servants of Christ.
Getting Started
We offer 45-minute spiritual direction appointments in our Irvine office. Sessions can also be arranged at a coffee shop, walking trail, or by phone or Skype.
On our website you can find our Spiritual Direction Policies and Spiritual Direction Intake Form. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Kristi or Bill.
You may want to learn more about our background: Bill’s Bio, Kristi’s Bio, Our Story.
Soul Shepherding is a 501c3 nonprofit ministry funded by tax-deductible donations from individuals, fees for services to individuals, and honorariums from churches and other organizations.
Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org
