Pastor Karl Gaston led a group discussion of the role of Lay Spiritual Directors (SDs).
There are often not enough ordained clergy to serve on VDC weekends. Some areas of the country have no ordained SDs available willing to serve on weekends. Secretariats sometimes can pull in SDs from out of state and sometime use non-Lutheran pastors from among our ecumenical partners. Increasingly Lay SDs are serving as the #2 or #3 SD position on VDC Weekends.
The primary roles of a SD on a weekend that require a fully trained, ordained minister are to “hold true” the theology of the rollos and to be available for spiritual counseling where needed. Having an ordained minister to preside over Holy Communion may also be required if bringing pre-consecrated elements to the weekend are not permitted. Limitations of Lay SDs can vary significantly across different Lutheran church bodies and can even vary among bishops within the same church body.
Many questions arise around these practices, but the NLS has no position on this and considers it a local issue. VDC is not the church, and must operate in partnership with the church and its policies.
Reported by Lee Kanipe
