Josh Taylor - Becoming a Spiritual Director in my 30’s

An SGM Interview with Joshua Taylor
Becoming a Spiritual Director in my 30’s

Joshua Taylor is an Anglican Priest from the Diocese of Christchurch. Currently he is based at St John's in Auckland working on his PhD in theology. He has experience in youth ministry and several years as a Vicar in Timaru. Joshua is married to Jo, and they have three children. In this blog-post, Kathryn Overall interviews him about his formation experience in the SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Programme and the value of spiritual direction for people in their 20’s and 30’s.

Joshua, what drew you to becoming a spiritual director?

Firstly, I had a great experience of spiritual direction for myself. It came during a really stressful time of my life when I felt overwhelmed with busyness and under lots of pressure. It was spiritual direction that helped me deepen my journey with God and find nourishment in what felt like a desert.

The call to spiritual direction has been part of my broader calling as a Priest in the Anglican Church. In my early twenties I experienced God calling me to leadership in the church. One of the things I have cherished most in my calling is having "God conversations" with people.

I realised pretty quickly that I wasn't equipped with the tools to have these conversations well and I felt led to learn more so I could better serve people in this way.

How would you describe your experience of the SGM Spiritual Directors Formation Programme?

I found the programme really enriching. It wasn't just about content, from early on there was a real sense of community, openness and a shared commitment to paying attention to what God was doing in our lives. I found the presenters to be passionate and knowledgeable as well as practical in their approach. I grew in confidence in practicing spiritual direction but the programme was also formational for my own journey with God.

One of the highlights for me was practising spiritual direction throughout the programme so we could get a feel for it. This wasn't easy. It required vulnerability and a willingness to give things a go, but it was a great catalyst for growth.

What do you think is valuable about the practice of spiritual direction for young people?

I think spiritual direction is good for all ages and stages.

My definition of spiritual direction is: ‘a shared attentiveness to the work of God’.

A spiritual director pays attention to the work of God in conversation with the directee and encourages the directee to pay attention to the work of God in their everyday life.

This attentiveness is important for all ages and life stages. But I think young people, in particular, face many distractions - especially in a digital age. The practice of spiritual direction can give space to focus, pay attention, and be still enough to prayerfully engage with the big questions of our lives.

How has your formation as a spiritual director borne fruit for you?

My training as a spiritual director has helped form me to be a person who more readily seeks to listen to others and ask questions of what God is up to (both in their life and mine). I think it has made me a better friend; a better companion on the road with others following Jesus.

It certainly has taught me to slow down and pay more attention. As a young person entering into the programme, this invitation to slow down was a particularly welcome gift. In my 20’s, I feel as if everything has been fast paced and there is a lot of wisdom in pausing to take a breath and ask good questions as well as engage in practices of prayer and rhythms of life that help me pay attention to God.

My Special Interest Project, Spiritual Direction in a Digital Age: Helping People Connect with God in a Distracted World honed in on this question of how spiritual directors can help people living in our digital age. This topic emerged out of my own personal wrestling to have integrity and focus in a cultural moment where our attention is pulled in multiple directions.

What’s next for you?

Currently I am in a season of reflection and study as I work on a PhD in theology through the University of Otago. I’m based at St John’s Theological College in Auckland and am part of St Augustine’s church. This season comes after a busy decade of ministry, and it is a real gift to take time to contemplate and work on research and writing.

I am passionate about theology grounded in the context of the church, particularly practical theology and the formation of Christian leaders. My training in spiritual direction is part of this vocation as I seek to be someone who can help others reflect and grow in life and leadership.