Print Resource Development for Introducing the Practice of “Spiritual Direction” Contribution Deadline: August 2, 2024. Update: Portal will remain open for "last call" until SEPT 6th. Shortcut to Submit here: You will be taken to JotForm to fill out the details. See below for a preview of what to prepare. Plan for about 5- 7 minutes to work with the form if all elements are ready to upload in the accepted file formats. UPDATE 7-16-24: Overall length can be 1,000 words-2,800 words. (Original length of 2,000-4,500 words still accepted, but SD authors are showing a nice ability to pare down their stories!)
The Backstory: Ruth Israel Initiative [registered 501(c)(3) since 2018], is in the earliest phases of planting the practice of spiritual direction among the Messianic communities in Israel, which encompasses Believers of Jewish, Arab, and multiple other Gentile heritages, including Christian ex-pat volunteers from around the world. Our 2023-24 research conversations uncovered that under 5% of this population has even heard of the practice of spiritual direction, much less gotten to experience it.
So, we wondered about the best way to introduce the idea of this practice in dynamic ways that could capture the attention and curiosity of such a diverse population. An idea popped! Why not offer multiple experienced directors an opportunity to describe direction the way you would to a newbie directee?
To describe spiritual direction in dynamic ways that will capture the attention of the so many different personalities and backgrounds, we are compiling a published resource book to give away that will help people who have no frame of reference for spiritual direction to gain a broad view from experienced directors’ own words and stories. It is our hope that in coming years as others have vision to plant this rich practice across the world, that this publication can be translated and given away to other hungry hearts.
We are soliciting mini-manuscripts from up to 25 spiritual directors with 4+ years of experience. [Up to 3 new directors who have just completed training and have begun to meet with directees will be invited to contribute as well.] Each author’s contribution of a description of spiritual direction and their stories will be published as a single chapter entitled by their name or may be named by the contributing author. Sentences that link your stories together in a cohesive way are noted and appreciated. Please use "code names" in the stories you offer for publication.
Details of the Publication The book will be published as a 6x9 bound, soft cover, trade paperback on Amazon and in an electronic version on Kindle. (No other publication venues are being considered at this time). Each author accepted for publication will receive a copy of the book as a thank you. We also will keep the "retail" pricing as low as possible, covering minimum production costs, so that directors can keep on hand some stock copies to give to new or potential directees.
The Invitation Details This is an open invitation to contribute to a published Spiritual Direction introduction book. Directors from all training programs are welcome to submit a contribution, and we invite you to forward this writing prompt to colleagues who might be interested. We are looking to collaborate across as many programs and points of view as possible. DEALINE: August 2, 2024 FORMAT: ALL written submissions must be in Word doc or PDF format to be considered, titled with your name. Picture must be submitted as a separate .jpeg or .jpg file only.
If we receive more submissions than we can print, we will more heavily favor publishing manuscripts that use your own unique descriptions and rich metaphors for this practice and its benefits. Content we are looking for: Your 3-section submission should be between 2,000-4,500 words, now 1,000-2,500 words are okay too. It must include a clear first section describing the practice of SD in your own words (your audience is a Believer who has never heard of this practice before). Answer the question: What is spiritual direction? The second section (you can include section headers/titles if you want to): share 1-2 stories from your own experience sitting with your director. The third section: share 1-2 stories of you sitting with a directee. (minimum 1 story from each category, maximum 2 stories from each category). If including 4 great stories, we will consider up to 5k words. We reserve editing rights to cut a story for overall length and flow of the publication. All stories we publish by each director will be published together as a chapter under the director’s name (& title of the manuscript if provided), not divided up in the publication.
To prepare for the form above plan to include all of the following:
Name
Any title, ministry name or function, a website/blog site, or degree information you'd like to include (optional).
Mailing address (for your copy of the book). Not published*
Phone number in case we have clarifying questions. Not published*
Where you did your training
How long you’ve been a director
A small author photo. Provide an up-to-date digital (jpeg) photo of you alone. 2x3 inch size and 1-2 megabytes in size offers a good clear picture. Please save the file as your name (ex: Kim Frolander author pic.jpeg) before uploading.
The manuscript mini-chapter with all elements ready to upload as a single .doc or .pdf (total 5k words or less)
Also save this file as your name (ex. Kim Frolander SD book submission.pdf) Don't worry about formatting, spacing, or font, just the word count, impactful metaphors, descriptions, and stories.
Start with your name, (and your chapter title if you wish to provide one).
Your introduction to SD description section (Not more that 1,000 words).
Your personal story(S) of SD with your director (up to two stories)
Your story(S) as a director (up to two stories).
Any concluding remarks.
Editing Caveat: Culturally, we have seen that the words of spiritual and direction are problematic, and we are working with local leaders to discern an inviting name for this practice in Hebrew. Write with your normal language but be aware that it may be edited for this population (and others as needed in the future) to make it easier to digest and accept for the intended population of readers. *Additionally You will be asked: Do you want to offer direction to new directees based in the middle east (English speaking)?: (Y/N) if yes, your time zone, your contact email address, and a short bio to publish (300 words or less) may be included in our database online of available SDs. (We will ask for a recommendation from a directee before launching the connection point). *This is NOT a requirement to write and submit a chapter for this published compilation resource.
Concluding additional travel invitation Finally, if this Planting Spiritual Direction project, beyond the writing, interests you, Ruth Israel is taking a group of up to 30 SDs (spouses welcome) to Israel, May 1-15, 2025, for a combination contemplative tour/ministry time where we will experience the Trinity in the geography of Scripture together, and introduce the practice, model it, offer mini-sessions to Believers in Israel, and then reflect on their experience with them, please be in touch. Here is our flexible itinerary and the price point: May 2025 Spiritual Directors. Each SD will receive a $1000 scholarship toward their expenses. Traveling spouses will need to cover their own full price. We would love for you to get in on the ground floor of a country’s deeper experiencing of God’s love in this profound way. If you are stirred to give toward scholarships for others to go, please click "donate" above. It's tax deductible!
We so look forward to reading your descriptions and stories. We will not publish your work without your name as the author. You will receive an email letting you know that your submission has been received. And a second email (ETA October 2024) letting you know whether to expect to see your work included in this published version. All manuscripts that are unable to be used will be deleted in October, before publication.
