People often go to spiritual leaders for guidance when they are at a crossroads, are feeling an internal conflict, or have gone through a crucible experience or crisis. This course provides a process that you can use to guide others who are trying to figure out what to do or to help yourself if you are trying to make a difficult decision or transition. Based on research on discernment methods, stories of people throughout history who have made difficult decisions, and interviews of people who have made hard choices, this course provides a helpful and creative journey for helping people you lead to choose a wise way forward, with God. Participants completing this course will be given the following:

 

1. Deeper understanding of the “ways of wisdom” and the practice of discernment (beyond reason and intellect).
 

2. Specific ways to help others work through the most significant aspects of difficult decisions and transitions (doubt, emotions, paradox, uncertainty, story).

 

3. A practical guide with concrete exercises and activities for helping people hear from God and figure out what to do.

 

 

The Rev’d Angela Williams Gorrell, PhD is the author of always on: practicing faith in a new media landscape and The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. Angela’s research has been highlighted in media sources such as the New York Times, NPR, and Christianity Today. She has 14 years of ministry experience and has taught at several schools including Yale University, Baylor University, and McCormick Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Gorrell speaks and writes about joy, meaning, the life worth living, and the intersection of spiritual and mental health. She utilizes her expertise to help create collaborative communities of prevention, specifically working to lower suicide and addiction rates. You can find her on Instagram @angelagorrell. Dr. Angela and her sister, Coach Stef, co-host The Grief Sisters podcast and The Grief Sisters book club and support group on Facebook.