Am very happy for you. Many good wishes for exploring this path.
I have had thoughts about Spiritual Direction myself - that I wish there were more ways for me as not-curently-members-of-a-faith-community (and as someone on benefits because i'd want any Spiritual Director to be appropriately compensated/supported. I actually find trying to work out what an appropriate donation might be more difficult than having a specfic low-income band) to access it and longer term if it might be a path for me to explore? (One thing i have not lost from my upbringing is a strong belief in the priesthood of all belivers but that doesn't mean i can currently se what my ministry is/should be!)
I'm interested in how much the training is similar to/different from training as a counsellor and/or as a Minister of Word and Sacrament/Priest? And what sort of supervision/support you would have when you are qualified?
I also have (still unformed) Thoughts about Autism and Public Facing/Pastoral roles. In some ways i think a conventional ministerial/priesthood role might be easier because the expectations of the role already give you an "in" into peoples lives/social circles without so much of that awkward initial "making friends" work (and it comes with a societal expectation to be a bit odd!). But the amount of Small Talk and needing to emotionally/socially available would be very hard...
no subject
Am very happy for you. Many good wishes for exploring this path.
I have had thoughts about Spiritual Direction myself - that I wish there were more ways for me as not-curently-members-of-a-faith-community (and as someone on benefits because i'd want any Spiritual Director to be appropriately compensated/supported. I actually find trying to work out what an appropriate donation might be more difficult than having a specfic low-income band) to access it and longer term if it might be a path for me to explore? (One thing i have not lost from my upbringing is a strong belief in the priesthood of all belivers but that doesn't mean i can currently se what my ministry is/should be!)
I'm interested in how much the training is similar to/different from training as a counsellor and/or as a Minister of Word and Sacrament/Priest? And what sort of supervision/support you would have when you are qualified?
I also have (still unformed) Thoughts about Autism and Public Facing/Pastoral roles. In some ways i think a conventional ministerial/priesthood role might be easier because the expectations of the role already give you an "in" into peoples lives/social circles without so much of that awkward initial "making friends" work (and it comes with a societal expectation to be a bit odd!). But the amount of Small Talk and needing to emotionally/socially available would be very hard...