Methodist & Wesleyan Spiritual Direction

Methodist spiritual direction has its roots in the small group practices of John Wesley, whose class meetings and bands were among the earliest forms of Protestant spiritual accompaniment. In these gatherings, early Methodists asked one another penetrating questions about the state of their souls, held each other accountable, and encouraged one another toward what Wesley called "going on to perfection" — the lifelong journey of sanctification.

Wesley emphasized the "means of grace" as essential practices for spiritual growth: prayer, Scripture, the Lord's Supper, fasting, and Christian fellowship. A Methodist spiritual director draws on these means of grace as the foundation for accompaniment, helping you identify where God is at work in your life and where you are being invited to grow in holiness and love.

Today, both United Methodist and Wesleyan/Nazarene traditions are represented among spiritual directors. Wesley's famous "Aldersgate moment" — when his heart was "strangely warmed" — serves as a model for the kind of personal, experiential encounter with God that Methodist direction seeks to cultivate. This tradition uniquely balances theological rigor with personal experience, making it accessible to those who value both intellectual depth and emotional authenticity in their spiritual life.