Spiritual Accompaniment / Direction
In Spiritual Accompaniment, sometimes called Spiritual Direction, you meet with another person, a Spiritual Companion, to share your story, thoughts and reflections about your life and faith.
A Spiritual Companion listens attentively and offers a safe, prayerful space in which you can reflect on what is happening in your life and seek to recognise the presence and activity of God.
You would normally meet together regularly, typically every 6–12 weeks, for around an hour.
Who is a Spiritual Companion?
A Spiritual Companion is someone who:
· listens deeply and attentively
· helps you reflect on your faith journey
· supports you in reflecting on your relationship with God
· does not seek to solve problems or give advice
Spiritual Companions have received specific training for this ministry, including training in Spiritual Accompaniment and safeguarding. They come from a wide range of ages and Christian traditions, and may be lay or ordained. It is important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.
Who is Spiritual Accompaniment for?
Spiritual Accompaniment is open to everyone. There are no expectations or special requirements, simply a willingness to share your story with another person and an openness to God.
Is there a charge for Spiritual Accompaniment?
Spiritual Companions in the Diocese of Chester do not charge for this ministry.
Click below for a short video on spiritual accompaniment.
How do I find a Spiritual Companion?
The Diocese of Chester holds a list of people who offer Spiritual Accompaniment and can support individuals in choosing one, if that would be helpful.
To request a copy of the list, or to talk through the process of choosing a Spiritual Companion, please email ministry@chester.anglican.org.
You can find more information on the process of finding a spiritual companion on pages 6-8 of the Spiritual Accompaniment Guidelines document:
Spiritual Accompaniment Guidelines v1 Jan 2026
How do I train to be a spiritual companion?
It might be that you find yourself listening to others more deeply. Perhaps you are beginning to discover a compassion for others which allows you to be with them, without judgement, without promoting your own interests.
SALT (Spiritual Accompaniment Learning Together) is designed to welcome you to this ministry, whether you have vast experience or little, deep knowledge or just the enthusiasm of a beginner.
SALT is a rolling programme, so you may be able to start at a time that suits you. As new people join the course others leave to begin their ministry. As you work with a mentor, the course will focus on your own learning journey, tailored to your unique needs and abilities. The course may take one or two years.
In this time, you will be able to engage with many learning opportunities: discussion with your mentor, teaching sessions and retreats at Foxhill, and in your own receiving of spiritual accompaniment.
You can find more information on the SALT course on pages 22-24 of the Spiritual Accompaniment Guidelines document. There is more information on the role of a spiritual companion and what is expected of those joining the diocesan network on pages 13-16.
Is this for you?
If you have a sense that God is calling you into this ministry, and you feel able to commit yourself to the course, for further details and an application form please contact: ministry@chester.anglican.org