Discerning God in Friendship and Direction

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Susan Currie

“Providing an hospitable presence helps us to notice God together.” —Susan Currie

Group spiritual direction is a ministry of listening that is unique among all other small group experiences. Susan Currie unpacks how to create, protect, and nurture such groups, offering wise principles and priorities that embody this transformative practice. When we help each other listen to the voice of God we do so tenderly, prayerfully, and gracefully. The Lord does the work when we come alongside another in their earnest desire to hear from God. In this hospitable space, we notice together that “our hearts are burning with the presence of Jesus.”

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Susan Currie

“In spiritual direction, one person is being present to another for the sake of being attentive to the voice of God.“ – Susan Currie

Are you looking for a spiritual director or a training program in spiritual direction? LTI’s Director of Selah, Susan Currie, joins Steve in this episode focusing on the ministry of spiritual direction.

Distinct from other forms of companionship – discipling, mentoring, coaching, pastoring – spiritual direction is laser focused on helping another listen attentively to the voice of God. When we have a trusted confidante helping us notice and prefer God in all aspects of our life, we grow in our affection for God. Holy listening transforms us into a person of discernment.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Gayle Heaslip

“We create hospitable space, non-judgmental, gentle, supportive, deeply attentive to God’s work in our lives and our midst.” —Gayle Heaslip

Trained counselor, spiritual director, LTI team member and Anglican priest, Gayle Heaslip, offers her wisdom on spiritual friendship, especially between and among women. Her ministry of hospitality has shown women (and many men) what it means to practice the hospitality of God, who welcomes, affirms, celebrates, and blesses us simply for who we are as his children. 

Stirred in longing and wonder over the friendship between Ruth and Naomi, Gayle opens the eyes of our hearts to see the gifts of love that create congruency and wholeness in persons. 

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Rick Anderson

“Friendship among men is elusive, but incredibly important.” —Rick Anderson

Who in your life is saving you from the worst of you and bringing out the best of you? Since most men life lives of quiet desperation, men in the body of Christ have an opportunity to pursue so much more. Spiritual friendship among the company of other men can be both formative and transformative. Shifting from playful bantering and competitive interactions, men can indeed experience empathy, compassion, and support from one another. With David and Jonathan as biblical examples, we explore the true meaning of covenantal companionship.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Richard Plass

“At the core of who we are, we are relational beings, created by a relational God. Many leaders today, however, don’t have anyone to share their story.” —Rich Plass

Today’s episode is an overview of Rich Plass’ book, The Relational Soul (IVP). He reminds us that our Trinitarian God is relational, as he invites relationship with us as his beloved children, and as he desires for us to have relationships of love with one another. Our family of origin sets the trajectory for our relational connections, or lack thereof. As adults, it’s important to have trusted friends with whom to courageously share our story, both the broken and whole aspects of our journey. Only then will we be set free to live the abundant life offered to us in Christ.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Richard Plass

“Our long-standing spiritual friendship has been a tapestry woven together by the grace of God.” —Rich Plass

Our host and guest have been friends and brothers in Christ for nearly 50 years. They speak authoritatively about the importance of friendship for all of us in the body of Christ. Recounting their shared history, they dovetail their reflections with the biblical text and a mature understanding of what makes for healthy, intentional, life-transforming friendship. They consider how friends are made and how they lead us into a healthy walk with God. Fresh insights are offered about being receivable, not reactionary, in loving and trusting ways.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net