Luther Adventure Camp-Wittenberg [June 25, 2007-July 5, 2007] is for those 15 and older who want the Luther experience, the Germany experience and the outdoor ministry experience. Camp out in tents [motel style rooms, at an additional cost, are available for those not wanting to tent] in Wittenberg with a beautiful view of the Castle Church. Engage in cultural programming in Wittenberg. Take a bicyle trip through the German countryside, enjoy a boat tour of the Elbe River from Wittenberg to Torgau and participate in side trips to Eisenach, Erfurt and Eiseleben. Climax the experience with two days in Berlin.

Each day will invovle Scripture study, the concept of leadership expressed in the Holy Bible, Luther history and cultural experience, along with an activity to use up stored energy. Registrations closed at 30. Openings are available. Those under the age of 18 must travel with an adult.

Spiritual direction is a process of discernment in the Holy Spirit. Gordon Smith (Listening to God In Times of Choice, 1997, InterVarsity Press) says “Discernment relates to the whole of our Christian experience, not just to an isolated segment—a time of decision. Our life in its entirety must be lived in response to the Word of God.” The Rev. Dr. Brian Hooper states that we are “called to be wholly present before the Holy One.” Living before God in the present moment leads to daily new life.

Robert Quinn, in his book Deep Change (1996, Jossey-Bass), writes: “Deep change differs from incremental change in that it requires new ways of thinking and behaving. It is change that is major in scope, discontinuous with the past and generally irreversible. The deep change effort distorts existing patterns of action and involves taking risks. Deep change means surrendering control.” Quinn writes from a business perspective but I am led to the conviction that what he talks about is actually a spiritual question. Deep change happens as we become fully exposed to God and are led by the Holy Spirit to fully examine our life. As we are led by the Spirit to release all those things that hold us back we are led into a process of dying and rising that brings the freedom promised in the Scriptures.

From my experience and observation I see a strong partnership between spiritual direction and psychological counseling. Counseling is able to name and diagnose while the process of spiritual direction takes that which is named and lays the named at the foot of the cross. It is in laying the named item at the foot of the cross that healing begins.