Short-Term Spiritual Guidance

by Duane R. Bidwell

This book represents a significant departure from most contemporary writing about spiritual direction. While most writers focus on long-term relationships of guidance, specifically envisioning long listening sessions, Bidwell changes focus. Spiritual direction, he insists, typically requires intervention in a specific crisis or situation or question, is not formal, lasts fewer than five sessions, and must be actively and intentionally focused on the person's growth. Bidwell's work shows what spiritual directors can learn from the short-term therapy model, especially about enabling people briefly but effectively to ''learn to listen on their own and with others for God's presence.'' Focusing on how God is already active in the directee's life allows the participants to identify God's action and respond in ways that collaborate with that identified movement of the Spirit. Key A one-volume guide to the practice of spiritual direction Beautifully and simply explains the classic concepts Specific and helpful advice for different situations and for group direction

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Duane Bidwell explores the intersection of spirituality, mental health and social justice as a teacher-scholar-clinician in Southern California, where he lives with his wife and son.

In addition to the books shown here, Duane edited "Spirituality, Social Construction, and Relational Processes: Essays and Reflections" (Worldshare Books, 2016).

Professionally, Duane spends his time teaching, researching, writing, and providing spiritually integrative psychotherapy and spiritual direction at Claremont School of Theology and The Clinebell Institute for Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy. He is a clinical Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In his day job, Duane has three formal titles: professor of practical theology, spiritual care, and counseling at Claremont School of Theology; accreditation liaison officer at Claremont School of Theology; and senior staff clinician and supervisor at The Clinebell Institute for Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy.

From 2008-2013, he co-edited "The Journal of Pastoral Theology." He also co-directed "Beyond Apologetics: Sexual Identity, Pastoral Theology, and Pastoral Practice," a research project of 13 scholars constructing the next generation of thought and practice for spiritual care with the GLBTQI community.

In his off time, Duane hikes the San Gabriel mountains with his family and friends, grows native California plants, and eats and reads voraciously. He volunteers as a fire lookout in the San Bernardino Mountains.

From 2007-2009, he served on the faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, and from 2002-2007 he directed the Pastoral Care and Training Center, an accredited pastoral counseling center at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. He has served as a parish pastor, pastoral counselor, spiritual director, hospital chaplain, and director of an interfaith HIV/AIDS agency.

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly helpful guide for those who do spiritual direction in the context of pastoral ministry where direction can be both informal or short-term. The issues one brings may deal with a specific issue rather than a broader, long-term development. Bidwell integrates brief pastoral counseling practices as a guide and help in short-term spiritual direction.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the cover. This text did an excellent job at explaining the uniqueness of SHORT-term Spiritual Direction. It's an easy read and beneficial for anyone pursuing giving spiritual direction. Their are specifications for a directee that is only going to be with you for a few sessions (whether a semester while they are in school, once a quarter, or while they are home on furlough from the missions field) that this book does a great job talking about. Bidwell discusses the important truth about how vulnerable spiritual direction can be and the risks involved for both director and directee.