The library

By Peter White Once upon a time I wanted to get in shape. I lived nearby a church with a pretty stellar fitness center and super affordable rates. My problem was, I could walk into the gym, but I had no idea what I was doing once I got there. Thankfully, I had a buddy...

By Peter White Bryan was the first spiritual director I ever sought out. He was a deacon in our church with a deep, quiet wisdom about him. I was in a transitional season. I had finished seminary, but the next steps weren’t working out the way that I had planned....

by Peter White Whether you’re a business owner, a pastor, or a stay-at-home mom, if you’re a leader, a spiritual director can be an indispensable ally in your ability to thrive. Last week a friend posted on social media The 25 Leadership Lessons of Steve Kerr. (Kerr...

By Peter White Imagine finding out that you’re normal. Imagine learning that you’re not alone. Imagine discovering that, in fact, there is nothing wrong with you. Imagine stumbling in a dark room and suddenly you find the light switch. This is what I found in the...

By Peter White I once accepted a position at a church, and immediately walked into a situation where a worship leader burned himself out, and as a result, made some poor decisions in his personal life. There was a lot to clean up in the wake. I’ve spent nearly all my...

By Peter White Several weeks ago my 4-year-old daughter exclaimed from the backseat of the van, “I can’t wait to see Star Wars 8!” She and her brother have had Star Wars movies on repeat for the last several months. “Why’s that?” I asked. “I want to see Luke Skywalker...

By Peter White I am who I am, and I know what I know about God and faith and church because of faithful youth pastors. I started middle school in the early 1990s at a large evangelical Methodist church. Youth group was my life. I can’t overstate the influence youth...

By Peter White Several months ago I was invited to lead a retreat for a group of church planters within my denomination on the topic of spiritual direction. It was such a great privilege to sit in that space intersecting God’s mission in the world and spiritual...

By Peter White Pastor and author Eugene Peterson writes, “It is not merely nice for pastors to have a spiritual director; it is indispensable.” Spiritual direction is a beneficial practice for all Christians. For pastors, spiritual direction provides particular...

By Peter White A month ago, I planted some sunflowers around my front porch. Yeah, I knew I was taking my chances as it was late fall already. Maybe they’ll bloom. Maybe not. When it comes to planting anything, there are elements within my control and elements outside...

By Peter White Meeting with a spiritual director for the first time can sometimes feel like a first date. It can inspire excitement, anticipating the beginning of something new. At the same time, there can be nervous anxiousness. Will this work? What if it's a waste...

By Peter White Let’s imagine you’ve made the plunge, you’ve made meeting with a spiritual director a regular rhythm of your life. You’ve found a director. You’ve met for the first time and decided they’re a good fit and you want to continue meeting. Now what? What’s...

By Peter White The spiritual life is a journey. Don’t do it alone. The first time my wife found out she was pregnant, the first thing she did was tell me. The second thing she did was go straight to the internet. She started searching “midwives.” See, she knew...

By Peter White Who is spiritual direction for? It’s a question I frequently hear. To which, my first response is… everybody. I genuinely think every Christian should meet regularly with a spiritual director and have a safe place for going deeper into all the stuff of...

By Peter White Nearly eight years ago, I moved across the country to take a job at a church. I knew right away that I would need a spiritual director to help keep me grounded amidst the onslaught of tasks, activities, and competing demands that come with receiving a...

By Peter White “I feel like the whole world want me to pray for ’em / But who’s prayin’ for me?” —Kendrick Lamar  “The best direction aims at enabling or empowering the directee to graduate to the more refined and delicate guidance of the Spirit in all matters....

By Peter White I had no idea what a kumquat was. Well, some idea. I knew it was a fruit. I’d heard the word before. It’s a fun word. Go on, say it. Kum. Quat. Kumquat. I wasn’t really thinking about kumquats at the moment, but there I was, standing in front of the...