Date: September 16, 2025
Today I have Spiritual Direction with the Rev. Martin Smith—a rhythm that has been a steady part of my life since 2007. These sessions are a sacred pause in the busyness of ministry, a time to look at my life honestly through the lens of prayer and faithfulness to the Gospel. It is a space where I can bring my failings, worries, concerns, fears, and hopes into the light and hold them before God in conversation with another wise, prayerful companion.
Again and again, I find that the Holy Spirit meets me in these moments, sometimes gently surfacing something that needs my attention, sometimes offering comfort, and sometimes challenging me to grow. This practice reminds me that even as leaders, we remain pilgrims on the journey, constantly seeking to live more faithfully.
I cannot recommend strongly enough that seminarians—and indeed anyone seeking to live a life of faith—find a Spiritual Director. It is a discipline that helps keep us grounded and honest, shaping us into leaders who model the very faith we hope to inspire in others. Spiritual Direction ensures that we bring our full, authentic selves before God, allowing our ministries to flow from a place of prayerful integrity.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary