Spiritual Discernment

​Written by Kat Goheen
Canada West Mission Centre Co-President

I began studying Discernment Facilitation with Katie Harmon-McLaughlin earlier this year, and it’s been such an enriching experience. Someone recently asked to hear more about this course experience, so this seemed a good way to begin!

Below is a short summary of my learning from the course so far (under 9 minutes): ​

​In Vancouver, we’ve been involved in a visioning process for 9 months, so it has been interesting to take this class and read these books now – like learning how to operate a car half-way through a drive in the Rockies! So much of this work is more about who we are than what we do. In spiritual discernment we’re called to lay aside our figuring out minds and turn our hearts to God – really listening for an answer on our future direction.

Sounds more like spiritual direction or prayer than most business meetings! On that note, how can our business meetings feel more like spiritual practice than corporate governance? Asking good questions is central to this work of spiritual discernment facilitation, and one good question often leads to another, with the eventual truth that all discernment leads to action.

I hope that you will ask yourself how much you can allow God into your most private deliberations, for yourself and for your community. I am practicing it myself, and while I experience moments of fear and loss of the illusion of control, it feels close to my core when I get there. Blessings to you in your discernments!