Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction [Paperback]

Jeannette A. Bakke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Holy Invitations is a comprehensive introduction to spiritual direction written for both directors and directees.

Jeanette Bakke incorporates sample dialogue and reflective questions to acquaint readers with the unique practice of spiritual direction. Holy Invitations can be used by individuals exploring new approaches in their relationship with God, for spiritual direction training programs, or as a church or small group study guide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Deeply rooted in prayer, Scripture, and classic Christian tradition, this welcome work integrates information and experience in a refreshingly holistic way." -- Marjorie Thompson, director, Pathways Center for Christian Spirituality, Upper Room; author, Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life

"Her work ... is not just a trusted guide to spiritual direction but is a trustworthy guide for spiritual living." -- Rueben P. Job, spirituality author and retired United Methodist bishop

"In a warm and encouraging manner, she reminds us of God's invitation to an intimate relationship..." -- Wilkie Au, Ph.D., Spiritual Development Services

"This book is an unusually thorough, practical, well-informed, and wise introduction to the ancient practice of spiritual companionship." -- Tilden Edwards and Gerald May, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation

From the Back Cover

"Holy Invitations is a book so well written and inviting that it begs the reader to continue reading, and it is a book so rich and filled with meaning that it must be read slowly, reflected upon, and savored." -Rueben P. Job, spirituality author and retired United Methodist bishop

Holy Invitations is about how to listen to your heart-and to God. Through the historic practice of spiritual direction, increasing numbers of Christians are discovering the benefits of having a special friendship with someone who can help nurture their awareness of and response to God's love and guidance. Holy Invitations is a comprehensive introduction to spiritual direction written to reclaim the discipline for the contemporary church.

"An unusually thorough, practical, well-informed, and wise introduction to the ancient practice of spiritual companionship. Anyone considering this spiritual practice as a way of looking at how God's Spirit is moving in the longings and experiences of their lives will be fully rewarded by its concrete and insightful explanations and questions." -Tilden Edwards and Gerald May, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation

"An authentic spiritual gem. If you have an interest in spiritual direction, you could scarcely find a better guide." -Marjorie Thompson, director, Pathways Center for Christian Spirituality

"In this wise, thorough, and gentle book, Jeannette Bakke opens wide windows onto a landscape that is being explored by more and more inquiring spirits-that of spiritual direction." -Luci Shaw, author and writer in residence, Regent College

"An accessible introduction for beginners, a valuable reference book for experienced spiritual directors, and a useful textbook for course work." -Wilkie Au, Spiritual Development Services

Jeannette Bakke is an experienced spiritual director who has been practicing spiritual direction and teaching about it for fifteen years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801063272
• ISBN-13: 978-0801063275
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why ruin an excellent book by leaving out an index???, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

This is one of the most brilliant compiliations of solid information on the many dimensions of spiritual direction that I have ever seen. As a seminary faculty member who covers direction in a variety of ways both in formation as well as in the training of clergy, I have found the breadth of what is covered is amazing. She clearly articulates the pitfalls and discernment issues that are involved in direction as opposed to pastoral care. Her section on discerning whether or not to pray for healing for a directee is worth the price of the book! The lack of a topic index seems unforgivable in this day and age of publishing and detracts immensely from the usability of the book as the solid reference that it could be.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction, October 29, 2001

By 

Pat Hendricks (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

If I could use two words to capture the essence of this book, they would be comprehensive and inclusive--comprehansive in its purpose and inclusive in the audience it serves. Holy Invitations gently invites Christians from many faith traditions to look at spirituality and spiritual direction, and to seek completeness. Persons from mainline Protestant and Evangelical traditions, or those who direct them, would be comfortable with the text and enlightened by the content.

The author, Jeannette Bakke, a long-time spiritual director and eductor, combines theory with practical application. The book challenges Christians to pay attention to their inner movements, their journey, and their prayer. Each chapter ends with reflection questions and exercises that guide readers to take a serious look at their relationship to God. These are contemplative pauses for processing the material into one's faith life.

People who are not familiar with spiritual direction as well as veterans can gain insight from this work. The first section, "Introduction to Spiritual Direction," includes basic information: what it is, why one seeks direction, what happens in a session, how to choose a director, group spiritual direction, and a charted comparison of direction, counseling, mentoring, and discipleship.

The mid-section includes a synthesis of topics relavant to spiritual direction: experiencing God, scripture, prayer, discernment, and Christian disciplines. The scripture portion offers a unique insight into Jesus as a spiritual Director. "Jesus taught and offered direction to his disciples and others before and after the resurrection. In each case he spoke to their personal situation within the framework of God's faithfulness and invited them to recognize God's loving presence and availability to guide and bless." (p. 179) This statement is followed with examples from the gospels; the section is invaluable for directors who work with people from primarily Bible-based faith traditions.

Later in the work, Bakke presents more advanced topics such as: benefits of direction, unhealthy dependencies, director's and directee's roles, the shaping of spiritual language, use of scripture in direction, facilitating Chrisitan disciplines, use of humor, and the process of discernment.

Today with so many Protestants seeking spiritual direction, Holy Invitations is a welcome text. It invites a larger audience to consider spiritual direction as one tool that can enhance a person's journey with God.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly grace-filled!, May 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

If you are looking for a solid, rich-filled text on the essence and practice of spiritual direction this is the one book to have on your shelf....and one to pick up often! The author leads one to explore the dynamics of the direction relationship in a way that emphasizes the presence of the Holy as the central element in any direction relationship. What a total gem of a book!