The Warou
As a metaphor for my practice in Spiritual Companioning and professional Supervision I have chosen to use the image of a Warou | Welcome Swallow, a small fork-tailed bird that is native to Aōtearoa | New Zealand. It represents the idea of manaakitanga | hospitality which is reflected in my practice as being broad-based and inclusive where anyone, regardless of faith expression, life experience or orientation is welcome into a relationship of companioning and support dedicated to experiencing an anchored place from which life can be examined. Read more about my practice here., and find out what others have to say.
Kia ora.
Nau Mai.
Welcome.
Spiritual Companioning (Direction) and Supervision are two different ways of accompanying people that offer support and encouragement in both life and work.
Having worked in the Vocation of Church Leadership and Pastoral ministry for around 40 years I have had the privilege of walking alongside many people in their various life’s contexts and experiences.
On completing my training with Spiritual Growth Ministries in 2010 I began practicing as a Spiritual Companion being registered with the NZ Association of Christian Spiritual Directors. In 2022 I became a member of SDI, an International body of Spiritual Directors.
I also work as a Professional Supervisor, certified to practice through the Unitec Professional Skills training programme in association with the NZ Coaching and Mentoring Centre, and offer Supervision to Spiritual Directors as well as Clergy and Leaders of Faith based Communities.
If you are interested in either Spiritual Companioning (Direction), Supervision or both, scroll through and have a read of the descriptions of these practices, including some personal stories, reflections from others and blogs on theJournal.
Linda Burson Swift
Spiritual Companion (Director), ( ACSDNZ).,Grad Dip Theology, (Laidlaw College), Minister, (Link Churches NZ). Professional Supervisor, (Unitec/NZ Coaching & Mentoring Cert.)
Spiritual Companioning
or Supervision?
Spiritual Companioning (Direction)
Spiritual Companioning is a relationship of accompaniment; one person journeying alongside another offering discernment, presence and anchoring in the midst of everyday experiences.
Supervision
Those who work in faith based communities as Clergy and Leaders often ones who even though gifted, skilled and trained to help others, can do so at the expense of themselves.
