In this episode of "Coffee with Jenn Layte," Jen Layte, a spiritual director, chaplain, and pastor, shares her unique journey and insights into spiritual direction. She discusses the differences between spiritual direction and traditional pastoral ministry (9:43), the challenges churches face in being trauma-informed and addressing forgiveness (26:47), and her vision for reimagining spiritual formation through contemplative practices and understanding the stages of faith (35:50). Tune in to discover how she helps individuals and churches foster deeper relationships with God and themselves.

Contact Jenn Layte by visiting https://the-pilgrimage.org/

Published book: “Follower: How Getting Close to Jesus Brings You to Yourself” - https://a.co/d/072jmKch

In this episode of "Coffee with Neal Windham," Dan Lee sits down with spiritual director Neal Windham to explore his unique vocational journey. Neal shares his transition from teaching Greek and pastoring to his current ministry in spiritual direction. The conversation highlights the value and growing need for spiritual direction among pastors and church leaders (4:27), delving into its role in spiritual formation (16:37) and how it addresses the challenges of contemporary ministry. They also discuss the practicalities of implementing spiritual direction in church settings, emphasizing the importance of "holy listening" (31:51) and "practicing the presence of God" (39:56) in a busy world. Neal reflects on how becoming a spiritual director has profoundly changed him, fostering a more contemplative approach to life and a deeper appreciation for human connection and diverse spiritual paths (44:02).

Contact Neal for spiritual direction: [email protected], or 217-737-2400

06 Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Nita Kotiuga, the director of spiritual formation at Bakke Graduate University, discusses her journey into spiritual direction and her experiences as a former pastor (0:06). She shares how her personal quest for a deeper faith led her to seek spiritual direction and eventually become a spiritual director herself (0:35). Nita highlights the unique aspects of spiritual direction, emphasizing the importance of a director's attentive listening and the freedom for individuals to explore their spiritual walk without an agenda (5:21). The conversation also delves into the differences between pastoral ministry and spiritual direction, particularly regarding time commitment and training in attentive listening (12:28). Nita identifies the biggest challenge facing the church today as a lack of "depth" in people's experience with God, often exacerbated by the quick-fix nature of modern life (25:00). She advocates for spiritual direction as a foundational practice for Christians to withstand hardship and develop a profound, trusting relationship with God (36:05). Nita concludes by advising pastors to seek their own spiritual directors and encourages anyone experiencing a spiritual hunger to explore spiritual direction (38:09, 39:22).

Episode 05 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Bridget Black, a spiritual director in Southern California who describes her practice as therapeutic spiritual direction (0:32). Drawing from years of ministry (1:29), seminary study (1:50), and work in the psychological and therapeutic world (0:36), Bridget weaves together soul care, trauma-informed presence (20:38), and spiritual discernment to create a spacious room where the personal and the spiritual meet (0:58).

Dan and Bridget talk about prophetic listening (8:31), why questions and doubts belong in prayer (11:07), how practices like the Examen can ground us, and where spiritual direction fits in the future of the church (35:10). If you are longing for a companion who can hold both your story and your nervous system, this episode offers a hopeful and healing vision of what spiritual direction can be.

Episode 04 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Alison Moscoso, a BIPOC spiritual director and Dan Lee's former coworker at ReWire (0:10). Alison's ministry focuses on helping people who have been hurt by the church find a more expansive spirituality (2:38). She explains how spiritual direction differs from pastoral work and therapy, emphasizing its agenda-free, witnessing role (11:13). Alison shares her passion for working with those outside the church, who often exhibit a deeper hunger for God (17:39). She highlights that being a spiritual director has profoundly shaped her, keeping her anchored even in her own doubts (24:53). Alison identifies the biggest challenge facing the church as "high control dynamics," which outsource individual autonomy and can lead to dangerous outcomes like Christian nationalism (27:48). She clarifies that spiritual direction is an ancient practice, not new, and the "direction" comes from the individual and God, not the director (39:45).

You can find Alison at https://www.alisonmoscoso.com/

Episode 03 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Sandra Soto, a BIPOC spiritual director serving in both traditional and non-traditional church contexts in Boston and the surrounding area. Dan and Sandra talk about her journey, what it means to walk with people who are deconstructing and reconstructing their faith, and how spiritual direction can create healing spaces for those who feel in-between.

If you have felt on the edges of church or uncertain about your place in faith communities, this episode will help you feel seen and less alone. Listen in and consider how Sandra’s gentle, grounded presence might invite you to honor your own story with God.

You can reach her via [email protected]

Episode 02 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Jess Allan, a worship pastor and spiritual director. Dan and Jess explore her journey into ministry and spiritual direction, and the unique way holy listening meets needs that are often missed in church and in worshipful life.If you are longing for deeper connection with God beneath the noise of church life, this conversation will give you language and hope for what your heart has been sensing. Listen in and imagine how holy listening might reshape your own life and ministry.

Contact Jess at [email protected]

Episode 01 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with John March, a former church planter who now serves as a spiritual director. Dan and John explore his journey into ministry and spiritual direction, the limits he encountered as a pastor, and the unique way holy listening meets needs that are often missed in church life. Along the way, John reflects on the challenges facing the church today, the future role of spiritual direction, and the practices he most hopes Christians and pastors will embrace.

Find John here at https://johnbmarch.com/ or https://www.leadershiptransformations.org/directory-of-spiritual-directors/march-john/

This is an introductory Episode of Coffee with Spiritual Directors.