Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me : a study of discernment and spiritual relationship through spiritual direction within the United Church of Canada

Abstract

This research project explores the understanding of and the experience of spiritual direction among members of the United Church of Canada, both clergy and lay. This is a Qualitative Research study in general and a Phenomenological study in particular. The goal of the research is to explore participants' lived experience of spiritual direction. Research was conducted through an initial survey followed by personal interviews. Participants were drawn from across Canada and represented fifteen of the sixteen Regions within the United Church of Canada. Participants represented both urban and rural congregations and included male, female and members of the LGBTQ community. Both clergy and lay members were represented equally. Participants were drawn from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This research explored each participant's understanding of spiritual direction, their experience of spiritual direction, and the impact that spiritual direction has had on their personal relationship with God, their community of faith, and their interaction with the wider world. Interviews were also conducted with several former Moderators of the United Church of Canada and several members of faculty at United Church Theological Colleges across Canada. Using the process of phenomenology and the themes of this investigation, the study identifies common experiences from the data and suggests opportunities for the church that affirm the benefits of spiritual direction for individuals and for the church as a whole.