What do you think?
Rate this book
Forming The Leader's Soul: An Invitation To Spiritual Direction
Forming the Leader’s An Invitation to Spiritual Direction encourages Christian leaders to recover the much-needed ancient discipline of spiritual direction as a pathway to nurture spiritual and emotional health amid the challenges of leading a ministry.Ministry puts Christian leaders at risk, and spiritual direction is a practice that will help guard those who serve on the front lines. Many pastors and leaders are finding the nature of ministry to be unsustainable in today’s culture, and they are searching for help. They realize their initial enthusiasm and ministry training are simply not enough to reach the finish line. Business as usual is not working – deep down inside something is missing. This sacred thirst is the beginning of a deeper intimacy with God. Leaders are discovering spiritual direction as a proven pathway to recover spiritual life and the sustainable ministry that follows.Several years ago spiritual direction was almost unheard of in the Protestant world. Today, this ministry is referred to in articles and books as well as highlighted at conferences. More and more leaders are intrigued and ready to investigate the value and practice of spiritual direction. This book seeks to give the reader a starting point from which to explore the ministry of spiritual direction. It offers an inside look at the history, theological foundation, and the praxis of this spiritual discipline creating a desire for further exploration and participation.Forming the Leader’s An Invitation to Spiritual Direction begins by highlighting the increasing at-risk nature of ministry leadership with a focus on the systemic issues in Christian organizations that undermine spiritual and emotional health. With this as the felt need, the book goes on to emphasize the value of spiritual direction, undergirding this practice biblically and historically. This is necessary since spiritual direction is still in the early stages of rediscovery in the Protestant tradition.Having established the need and value of spiritual direction, Dr. Dirks helps the reader understand how this ministry is carried out. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who authored Spiritual Exercises (a leader’s manual for conducting spiritual direction), stands at the forefront as someone to guide us. Dirks draws key insights from his philosophy of direction seeking to apply them in today’s context.The author then turns to the wide range of contributions made in the contemporary field of spiritual direction, exploring the guiding principles and practices that flesh it out. The goal is to make spiritual direction appealing and accessible to today’s Christian leader.The book seeks to strengthen the reader’s appreciation of spiritual direction by drawing upon the author’s own experience as a pastor for over three decades. He uses his personal journey into spiritual direction (both as a directee and director) as a window and an invitation to discover more. Each chapter ends with a short, real-life story from a leader who participates in spiritual direction.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2013
21 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 7, 2013
I have a confession to make: I am a recovering DCL (Disillusioned Church Leader). After almost 40 years in church leadership, by the time that I had discovered the key premise that Morris Dirks makes in his compelling book – that the “being” of inner soul formation brings life whereas the “doing” of an external success orientation brings burnout – I was burned out.
Yet over the last 15 years, there had been a slow dawning in my soul that there was a deeper reality in my own life that had long been neglected. There were longings and desires slowly growing within me for more than just head knowledge of God. I had glimpsed the possibility of an intimate and experiential encounter with God that could only germinate from the depths of my soul. I had discovered the teaching of spiritual formation. This began a journey of personal reading and study that eventually led me to a contemplative community where I experienced an awakening of my soul. I soon began to long for opportunities to guide others in the same direction that had become life-giving for me. So I received training to offer spiritual direction.
Yet at the same time that I was waking up to God, I was becoming dead to the church in which I had served for over 20 years. There seemed to be little appetite among my partners in church leadership for such an emphasis on the spiritual formation of the soul. Finally, I admitted defeat. I was compelled to accept that my voice had little influence in an evangelical church culture and denomination that preached from the top down a church “success” paradigm that focused on programs, buildings, and numbers. I had no more energy to hold up the flag of spiritual formation and was no longer able to challenge leaders that had other priorities in mind. It was the death of a dream . . . and my grieving of the loss of this dream continues.
And then I read this book! And as I completed the final chapter this morning, my hope was renewed. Here was a church leader from the same evangelical church denomination that was my own for the first 30 years of my life. Here was a pastor courageous enough to confess in public that the church success model and the inevitable neglect of his soul that such a preoccupation insures, had broken him. Here was a man who discovered that the only path out of his brokenness was to face the insidious realty of his false self and tend to his neglected soul. It was a further great delight for me to discover a protestant evangelical pastor who had discovered the same ancient teaching from the likes of Ignatius that has given me new life . . . and for this same pastor to challenge our protestant evangelical pastors to re-discover in the protestant church the long neglected tradition of spiritual formation.
I have been long waiting for “one of our own” to speak up. Thank you Morris for writing this book. Our evangelical church culture is in need of reform and Morris recognizes that for such reform to be far-reaching and enduring, the presidents and executive leaders of denominations, colleges, and Christian organizations need to be persuaded. And so he appropriately directs his final chapter to these leaders. He concludes his book with this final statement: “If we believe that our highest calling is to prepare people to lead like Christ, it is imperative that relational spiritual formation must be at the core of our ministry culture.”
Yet over the last 15 years, there had been a slow dawning in my soul that there was a deeper reality in my own life that had long been neglected. There were longings and desires slowly growing within me for more than just head knowledge of God. I had glimpsed the possibility of an intimate and experiential encounter with God that could only germinate from the depths of my soul. I had discovered the teaching of spiritual formation. This began a journey of personal reading and study that eventually led me to a contemplative community where I experienced an awakening of my soul. I soon began to long for opportunities to guide others in the same direction that had become life-giving for me. So I received training to offer spiritual direction.
Yet at the same time that I was waking up to God, I was becoming dead to the church in which I had served for over 20 years. There seemed to be little appetite among my partners in church leadership for such an emphasis on the spiritual formation of the soul. Finally, I admitted defeat. I was compelled to accept that my voice had little influence in an evangelical church culture and denomination that preached from the top down a church “success” paradigm that focused on programs, buildings, and numbers. I had no more energy to hold up the flag of spiritual formation and was no longer able to challenge leaders that had other priorities in mind. It was the death of a dream . . . and my grieving of the loss of this dream continues.
And then I read this book! And as I completed the final chapter this morning, my hope was renewed. Here was a church leader from the same evangelical church denomination that was my own for the first 30 years of my life. Here was a pastor courageous enough to confess in public that the church success model and the inevitable neglect of his soul that such a preoccupation insures, had broken him. Here was a man who discovered that the only path out of his brokenness was to face the insidious realty of his false self and tend to his neglected soul. It was a further great delight for me to discover a protestant evangelical pastor who had discovered the same ancient teaching from the likes of Ignatius that has given me new life . . . and for this same pastor to challenge our protestant evangelical pastors to re-discover in the protestant church the long neglected tradition of spiritual formation.
I have been long waiting for “one of our own” to speak up. Thank you Morris for writing this book. Our evangelical church culture is in need of reform and Morris recognizes that for such reform to be far-reaching and enduring, the presidents and executive leaders of denominations, colleges, and Christian organizations need to be persuaded. And so he appropriately directs his final chapter to these leaders. He concludes his book with this final statement: “If we believe that our highest calling is to prepare people to lead like Christ, it is imperative that relational spiritual formation must be at the core of our ministry culture.”
November 24, 2019
This book has been just what I needed. I’m a busy pastor with what feels like a “thin” soul. Chapter two broke me and the rest of the chapters began to build me up and give me a path forward. Morris draws on the wisdom of St. Ignatius, who I discovered in my early years of college as a new believer. His vision for mission and a contemplative life was so attractive to me that for a brief moment considered being a monk. Anyway, I had lost touch with Ignatius and am so glad to be reacquainted. Dirks also challenges me to see in Scripture the centrality of experiencing (not just knowing) spiritual union with Christ. I’ve spent most of my life learning about God and doing things for God, but not engaging in the practice of being with God. I’m ashamed at the profound immaturity, oversight, and lack I have in this area. But I’m willing to take baby steps forward. The final chapters, and woven, throughout this book is a way forward for spiritual direction. You won’t be disappointed by this relatively quick read.
February 14, 2020
Copied from the book overview:
"Forming the Leader’s Soul: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction encourages Christian leaders to recover the much-needed ancient discipline of spiritual direction as a pathway to nurture spiritual and emotional health amid the challenges of leading a ministry.
Ministry puts Christian leaders at risk, and spiritual direction is a practice that will help guard those who serve on the front lines. Many pastors and leaders are finding the nature of ministry to be unsustainable in today’s culture, and they are searching for help. They realize their initial enthusiasm and ministry training are simply not enough to reach the finish line. Business as usual is not working – deep down inside something is missing. This sacred thirst is the beginning of a deeper intimacy with God. Leaders are discovering spiritual direction as a proven pathway to recover spiritual life and the sustainable ministry that follows.
Several years ago spiritual direction was almost unheard of in the Protestant world. Today, this ministry is referred to in articles and books as well as highlighted at conferences. More and more leaders are intrigued and ready to investigate the value and practice of spiritual direction. This book seeks to give the reader a starting point from which to explore the ministry of spiritual direction. It offers an inside look at the history, theological foundation, and the praxis of this spiritual discipline creating a desire for further exploration and participation.
Forming the Leader’s Soul: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction begins by highlighting the increasing at-risk nature of ministry leadership with a focus on the systemic issues in Christian organizations that undermine spiritual and emotional health.
With this as the felt need, the book goes on to emphasize the value of spiritual direction, undergirding this practice biblically and historically. This is necessary since spiritual direction is still in the early stages of rediscovery in the Protestant tradition.
Having established the need and value of spiritual direction, Dr. Dirks helps the reader understand how this ministry is carried out. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who authored Spiritual Exercises (a leader’s manual for conducting spiritual direction), stands at the forefront as someone to guide us. Dirks draws key insights from his philosophy of direction seeking to apply them in today’s context.
The author then turns to the wide range of contributions made in the contemporary field of spiritual direction, exploring the guiding principles and practices that flesh it out. The goal is to make spiritual direction appealing and accessible to today’s Christian leader.
The book seeks to strengthen the reader’s appreciation of spiritual direction by drawing upon the author’s own experience as a pastor for over three decades. He uses his personal journey into spiritual direction (both as a directee and director) as a window and an invitation to discover more. Each chapter ends with a short, real-life story from a leader who participates in spiritual direction."
I was drawn into the book by the gripping story of the author's description of his spiritual and emotional collapse. I wanted to know more. I was surprised that as a pastor he found that Christian counseling (not defined by him) was unhelpful and that as a pastor he found solutions in going to a psychiatrist. I wondered how his understanding of the Gospel had failed him so.
His problem as a leader and a big problem with leaders in general is lack of spiritual direction and the experiential relationship with God and self, as he sees it. Not just leaders, Dirks would say, but for everyone --- everyone can benefit from spiritual direction.
Man's problems stem from his experience with God and self and the solution is found in growing in experience deeper relationship with God and self through spiritual contemplation and spiritual direction.
The format for this deepening of relationship that Dirks has found such great help is from a greater understanding and application of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and certain psychological concepts and principles. He cites a collection of scriptures and authors (ancient and recent) and has found great relief in facing leadership and life.
What I was searching for in his book was some sort of framework of the Gospel, how God through the Savior Jesus had delivered him from his false ideas about God, himself, life, theology. From my reading and wanting to connect with what he was saying, I thought he was thin on the Biblical framework which caused me to want to keep trying to understand.
I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water here and this book has caused me to want to take away gems of "slow down and be intentional about prayer and contemplation about what God is doing in my life". I found it helpful this way and I continue to want to know more about his understanding of the concepts of: the heart, one's motivations, salvation, relationship with Jesus, the Bible.
I am left with "not convinced but wanting to know more".
"Forming the Leader’s Soul: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction encourages Christian leaders to recover the much-needed ancient discipline of spiritual direction as a pathway to nurture spiritual and emotional health amid the challenges of leading a ministry.
Ministry puts Christian leaders at risk, and spiritual direction is a practice that will help guard those who serve on the front lines. Many pastors and leaders are finding the nature of ministry to be unsustainable in today’s culture, and they are searching for help. They realize their initial enthusiasm and ministry training are simply not enough to reach the finish line. Business as usual is not working – deep down inside something is missing. This sacred thirst is the beginning of a deeper intimacy with God. Leaders are discovering spiritual direction as a proven pathway to recover spiritual life and the sustainable ministry that follows.
Several years ago spiritual direction was almost unheard of in the Protestant world. Today, this ministry is referred to in articles and books as well as highlighted at conferences. More and more leaders are intrigued and ready to investigate the value and practice of spiritual direction. This book seeks to give the reader a starting point from which to explore the ministry of spiritual direction. It offers an inside look at the history, theological foundation, and the praxis of this spiritual discipline creating a desire for further exploration and participation.
Forming the Leader’s Soul: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction begins by highlighting the increasing at-risk nature of ministry leadership with a focus on the systemic issues in Christian organizations that undermine spiritual and emotional health.
With this as the felt need, the book goes on to emphasize the value of spiritual direction, undergirding this practice biblically and historically. This is necessary since spiritual direction is still in the early stages of rediscovery in the Protestant tradition.
Having established the need and value of spiritual direction, Dr. Dirks helps the reader understand how this ministry is carried out. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who authored Spiritual Exercises (a leader’s manual for conducting spiritual direction), stands at the forefront as someone to guide us. Dirks draws key insights from his philosophy of direction seeking to apply them in today’s context.
The author then turns to the wide range of contributions made in the contemporary field of spiritual direction, exploring the guiding principles and practices that flesh it out. The goal is to make spiritual direction appealing and accessible to today’s Christian leader.
The book seeks to strengthen the reader’s appreciation of spiritual direction by drawing upon the author’s own experience as a pastor for over three decades. He uses his personal journey into spiritual direction (both as a directee and director) as a window and an invitation to discover more. Each chapter ends with a short, real-life story from a leader who participates in spiritual direction."
I was drawn into the book by the gripping story of the author's description of his spiritual and emotional collapse. I wanted to know more. I was surprised that as a pastor he found that Christian counseling (not defined by him) was unhelpful and that as a pastor he found solutions in going to a psychiatrist. I wondered how his understanding of the Gospel had failed him so.
His problem as a leader and a big problem with leaders in general is lack of spiritual direction and the experiential relationship with God and self, as he sees it. Not just leaders, Dirks would say, but for everyone --- everyone can benefit from spiritual direction.
Man's problems stem from his experience with God and self and the solution is found in growing in experience deeper relationship with God and self through spiritual contemplation and spiritual direction.
The format for this deepening of relationship that Dirks has found such great help is from a greater understanding and application of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and certain psychological concepts and principles. He cites a collection of scriptures and authors (ancient and recent) and has found great relief in facing leadership and life.
What I was searching for in his book was some sort of framework of the Gospel, how God through the Savior Jesus had delivered him from his false ideas about God, himself, life, theology. From my reading and wanting to connect with what he was saying, I thought he was thin on the Biblical framework which caused me to want to keep trying to understand.
I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water here and this book has caused me to want to take away gems of "slow down and be intentional about prayer and contemplation about what God is doing in my life". I found it helpful this way and I continue to want to know more about his understanding of the concepts of: the heart, one's motivations, salvation, relationship with Jesus, the Bible.
I am left with "not convinced but wanting to know more".
June 16, 2019
This is the first book I've read on spiritual direction and would be a good intro to anyone who is curious about this practice. According to Dirks, a spiritual director does not tell you what to do as much as he helps you listen to what the Holy Spirit wants you to do. Much of the book is based on St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises and encourages Christian leaders/workers to focus on "transformational union with Christ" over and above cognitive knowledge.
"Activism without contemplation results in leaders who are spiritually diseased. . . . Certainly we see the souls of leaders strewn along the highway of ministry advancement. Having neglected their interior life, they were seduced into thinking that doing is being. Such a way of life does not lead to sustainable ministry." (p. 65)
Some helpful insights, but leans heavily toward mysticism.
"Activism without contemplation results in leaders who are spiritually diseased. . . . Certainly we see the souls of leaders strewn along the highway of ministry advancement. Having neglected their interior life, they were seduced into thinking that doing is being. Such a way of life does not lead to sustainable ministry." (p. 65)
Some helpful insights, but leans heavily toward mysticism.
September 20, 2020
I had the privilege of attending a church Morris was senior pastor at in my teenage years; what a treat to now read this book! I have been working through a list of books on spiritual formation and direction, and it turned out the list is from Morris’ SoulFormation organization! After the first few introductory chapters, this book really got rolling, using Ignatius’ exercises as a guide to spiritual direction. The discussion of consolation & desolation was profoundly impactful for me. This book has further lit my desire to be both a directee, and to continue to hone listening & question asking skills for the sake of others. I am drawn to many Catholic authors for their writings on contemplation, solitude, formation. I see the lack and need in the Protestant tradition! Thanks Morris!
May 11, 2023
I have read many books about spiritual direction-both on my own and in my training of becoming a spiritual director. I have found this book to be one of the best.
Dirks writes about ministry leaders and the need for them to give attention to their own souls as they minister to others. It is such a need.
Do you want to learn more about biblical spiritual direction? This book is great! Are you a spiritual director and want to know about the unique challenges of being a ministry leader? This book is great!
Dirks writes about ministry leaders and the need for them to give attention to their own souls as they minister to others. It is such a need.
Do you want to learn more about biblical spiritual direction? This book is great! Are you a spiritual director and want to know about the unique challenges of being a ministry leader? This book is great!
March 8, 2017
I've read numerous books about spiritual direction, as well as offer it and train others in the practice. Morris Dirks' book is one of the best I've ever come across. If you're looking for a good, thorough overview you don't really need to look any further. I'd encourage evangelical church leaders to read this book. See if it resonates. If it does, you'll have a pretty clear path in front of you that will only encourage you in your work.
August 12, 2024
Morris was a pastor at a church I was a part of during college. I remember thinking, "I want to be like him when I grow up."
After reading this book, I felt that same sentiment.
I appreciate this book for lots of reasons and God is up to something in the western church. I believe Spiritual Direction is going to help us recover much of what's been lost in the hurry and pace we've inherited in this chapter of Babylonian captivity!
Thank you Morris!
After reading this book, I felt that same sentiment.
I appreciate this book for lots of reasons and God is up to something in the western church. I believe Spiritual Direction is going to help us recover much of what's been lost in the hurry and pace we've inherited in this chapter of Babylonian captivity!
Thank you Morris!
September 22, 2025
As a pastor, this book is speaking to something that I see in myself, that I need to make sure that I prioritize my inner spiritual life. As a result, I am reading this book with my journal next to me.
Having said that, this is an intro to this subject, and the authors style kind of feels like they are trying to "sell" or convince me on their "thing." I find it a bit off-putting at times.
Having said that, this is an intro to this subject, and the authors style kind of feels like they are trying to "sell" or convince me on their "thing." I find it a bit off-putting at times.
May 1, 2021
Wow, this book packs a punch. So full of practical advice and it helps one develop a clear understanding of spiritual direction. I really appreciated the personal stories and testimonies at the end of each chapter. A great overview on the topic.
May 18, 2023
Approachable. A great introduction to the need for Spiritual Direction among all leaders in the church. Burnout and disillusionment can be prevented with a faithful and humble commitment to this discipline from our ancient Church mothers and fathers.
November 9, 2018
A very helpful introduction to spiritual direction and Ignatian spirituality.
November 4, 2013
I admit my bias toward this book: Morris is my first cousin, his wife is married to my wife's youngest sister and I have a ministry of spiritual direction with men. I have been a pastor and know the pressures of people's expectations of a pastor. In the past, I personally would have benefited considerably if I could have seen a spiritual director on a monthly basis. I agree with Morris that every pastor needs to have a spiritual director or spiritual friend with whom he can meet regularly as a co-discerner for his life and ministry. As a spiritual director, this book was very encouraging to me and gave me helpful hints about doing spiritual direction in a sensitive way that will be most beneficial and transformational for the leader I am having a conversation with.
I trust this book will be a tool to form many a leader's soul.
I trust this book will be a tool to form many a leader's soul.
November 3, 2014
Such a solid book that gives a great foundation for followers of Christ to take their faith to a deeper level.
May 3, 2017
An easy to read introduction to the discipline of Spiritual Direction. Interspersing his chapters with anecdotes, Dirks challenges the reader about the importance of soul care - paying attention to one's inner spiritual life. Sometimes it feels a bit oversold in his effort to convince.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews