Program
Doctor of Ministry
Number of Pages
126
Year Approved
2005
First Advisor
Richard Funk
Second Reader
David Wick
Abstract
The assumption is often made that seminary students and pastors are prepared to care for their own souls. It is assumed that they will be able to nurture their own spiritual formation, becoming conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. The reality is that pastors often do not have preparation to provide themselves with such care. Pastors will sometimes identify a longing for “something more” in their spiritual lives, without knowing exactly what they are seeking or how to gain it.
One resource that can promote effective Christian spiritual formation for pastors is spiritual direction. However, when pastors are in certain settings, such as rural pastorates, access to spiritual direction may be severely limited. Group spiritual direction is an option that could provide the opportunity for such pastors to nurture their own spiritual formation.
This project focuses on finding a solution to a local problem (the absence of group spiritual direction) in a local setting (Sioux County, Iowa). The project is primarily qualitative research in an action model with the pastors of Sioux County, Iowa as the context for the research. Some aspects of this project resemble case and field study methods, as some of the data was gathered directly from individuals involved in the project.
The project includes theological research into the nature and process of Christian spiritual formation, including the spiritual formation of pastors, into the nature and process of spiritual direction generally and group spiritual direction in particular, and into the relationship of spiritual direction to spiritual formation. The practice of Christian group spiritual direction is examined, and a model for a spiritual direction group for pastors is designed.
The pastors of Sioux County, Iowa, were invited to participate in the project, and six pastors plus the researcher did participate. The group met once per month during the nine months from September 2001 through May 2002. Data for the project includes a pre-interview with the participating pastors, journals and summaries of the experience from the pastors, and the researcher’s field notes.
The project provided significant formation for some of the group members in the areas of heightened sensitivity to God’s voice and hand in the pastor’s life and work, specific indicators of spiritual formation in the pastor’s life (e.g., enhanced prayer life), and changes in the pastor’s ministry. Certain dynamics of group process also provided challenges for the group, including apprehensions, tendencies to problem-solve rather than discern, and putting aside distractions to listen attentively for God’s presence. Silence and time spent together were elements of the project that helped to overcome these challenges.
The data produced by this project indicate that the process of group spiritual direction was beneficial for the participating pastors of Sioux County, Iowa.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
Document Type
Doctoral thesis
Recommended Citation
Sajdak, J. L. (2005). Group Spiritual Direction for Pastors in Sioux County, Iowa [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1142
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