Shepherding Shepherds: Spiritual Direction and Supervision with Pastors: A Two-Part Series

A Two-Part Professional Development Seminar

Session 1: Shepherding Shepherds: Spiritual Direction with Pastors

Are you a spiritual director drawn to accompanying pastors, priests, and leaders in spiritual direction? Or are you already walking alongside these individuals and seeking deeper insight into their unique journeys? Join Jeremy Frye and Vanessa Caruso for a reflective and enriching workshop series crafted specifically for spiritual directors who feel called to support those in pastoral roles.

In this workshop, we will:

• Delve into the unique needs and challenges faced by pastors, priests, and leaders as they navigate the complexities of ministry, spiritual life, and personal well-being.
  
• Consider the dynamics of leadership burnout, isolation, and spiritual renewal, offering insights into how to journey with these individuals with compassion and understanding.
  
• Share experiences and perspectives through real-life examples, thoughtful discussions, and reflective practices that foster deeper awareness and connection.
  

This workshop is an invitation to reflect, explore, and grow alongside other spiritual directors. It provides a sacred space to consider how we might better accompany those called to lead, offering presence and care in their unique roles.

Come join us as we gather to support and nurture the soul care of those who guide others.

Session 2: Shepherding Shepherds: Widening Pastors' Horizons through Ministry Supervision

Vanessa has worked alongside several retired pastors who, in their training to become spiritual directors, experienced spiritual direction supervision and wondered aloud: “Why don’t I have this kind of space and support as a pastor?” In other words, Vanessa wondered, “Who is shepherding the shepherds?

Pastors often bring issues from their ministry into spiritual direction because they do not have other confidential spaces to process the complex realities of their vocation. Vanessa established an additional compassionate, contemplative, and evocative space for pastors to explore their vocational experience in order to free up their time in spiritual direction for more personal terrain.

In this workshop Vanessa and Jeremy will explore with us:

• A model of ministry supervision for pastors that provides them confidential and compassionate space to regularly reflect on their role, work and relationships, for the safety and flourishing of their ministries (and the preservation of their spiritual direction)
  
• The use of a Ministry Reflection Form for pastors, adapted from a spiritual director’s Contemplative Reflection Form
  
• How spiritual direction for pastors is similar to and different from ministry supervision for pastors
  
• How spiritual direction supervision is similar to and different from ministry supervision for pastors
  
• Explore an example of a Ministry Supervision Covenant
  
• Discuss the benefits of, obstacles to, and considerations needed for ministry supervision


Event recording and handuts are available for 12 months from event date