Spiritual Direction Ministry

Spiritual Direction is one pathway to a deepening relationship with the divine. Spiritual Directors are trained and experienced to offer an open space for reflective presence, empathetic listening, and deep trust. If you have felt a desire to explore the ways God is working in your life with a steady, grounded, and trustworthy companion, spiritual direction may be a great option.

Our member Spiritual Directors align with the inclusive and open values of the Center for Living Water. To get more information and have a conversation, fill out our inquiry form. Trust that this will be a process of mutual exploration as you discern if Spiritual Direction is a good fit at this time in your life.

Member Spiritual Directors

  • Donna Sperry

    Donna Sperry received her BSN from Graceland University and worked most of her nursing career in Emergency Medicine. She is a life-long member of Community of Christ, serving her congregation and Mission Center as worship leader, pastor, and spiritual formation specialist. After many years in nursing, she shifted her career focus to faith-based leadership and began work with the Central Mission Center of Community of Christ as a Spiritual Formation Minister. She expanded her education through certification in Leading Congregations in Contemplative Prayer from Shalem Institute, a Master’s in Theology from Saint Paul School of Theology, and a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She has been a Spiritual Director for 20 years.

    Donna and her husband, Dave, are blessed with loving children and grandchildren who bring a great deal of joy to their lives. Much of their free time is spent supporting grandchildren in sports, music, and theater activities. Donna enjoys music, theater, knitting, and travel.

    As a Spiritual Director, Donna feels honored to share in conversations with those who are exploring deeper connections with the Divine. She believes God shines through all aspects of life and continually seeks to bring us into greater unity within ourselves, with God, and creation.

    CONTACT DONNA

  • Katie Harmon-Mclaughlin

    Katie Harmon-McLaughlin (she/her) received her Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a focus on discernment and spiritual leadership, and a Master of Arts in Religion from Community of Christ Seminary. She received a dual certificate in Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Leadership from Pneuma Institute and is a trained labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas. She has worked in a number of roles including pastoral ministry, spiritual formation ministries, associate faculty in spiritual formation for Community of Christ Seminary, and is currently the Director of Formation Ministries for Community of Christ. Areas of passion and emphasis include supporting young families on the spiritual journey, discernment and formation for pastors and leaders, facilitating communal discernment, navigating faith transitions, the intersection of contemplation and action, and ecological and feminist spiritualities. For Katie, it is a deep privilege to accompany others on the journey of spiritual deepening and she has trust in the presence of the Spirit at work in all the circumstances and seasons of life. She believes that God meets us wherever we are and however we arrive. She is also the mother of two young daughters, a dog lover, avid camper, and perpetual spiritual seeker.

    Contact Katie

  • Rob Carr

    Rev. Rob Carr was a pastor for 38 years, associated with the Disciples of Christ, a welcoming and inclusive family of churches. A longstanding passion for contemplative spirituality has led him to connections with the centering prayer movement, the Academy for Spiritual Formation, and the Souljourners certificate program in spiritual direction. He has been a Spiritual Director for 10 years. In retirement, Rob enjoys walks with his spouse Kathy and their dog, coffee with friends, teaching and preaching on occasion, time with busy kids and grandkids, and of course his graced conversations with others in spiritual direction.

    CONTACT ROB