Why Choose an InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister?

An InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister can meet the needs of someone’s life circumstances when traditional religious venues cannot, regardless of the reason. Here are some examples.

•  A couple not practicing any particular spiritual path may want to marry or publicly welcome their baby and not know anyone to officiate their ceremony. An InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister will create and personalize a service and ritual that is meaningful to them and their guests.

•  Interfaith marriages are becoming more common, yet traditional wedding ceremonies may not be able to blend meaningful rituals from different faiths. An Interspiritual/Interfaith Minister will customize the wedding ceremony for the couple, their different faiths and both their families.

•  Funerals and memorial services for persons who had no religious affiliation may be problematic for those grieving. And for interfaith families, a service from only one spiritual tradition may not sufficiently comfort the bereaved. An InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister will create a meaningful and inclusive spiritual service to celebrate the deceased’s life while offering comfort to everyone.

•  Someone may hear the call to deepen their relationship with God/Goddess, but doesn’t know what that means or who to go to. Through Spiritual Direction, an InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister can guide and support the individual in their search for the Divine in their life, regardless of their spiritual background or lack thereof.

• Congregations  from different spiritual traditions may want to work together, but realize they know very little about each other. An InterSpiritual/Interfaith Minister can assist in helping these communities learn about each other, enhancing their efforts to reach their common goal.
 
 
What is InterSpirituality and Interfaith Ministry?

Interfaith Ministry and InterSpirituality are relatively new terms on the spiritual landscape. Interfaith Ministry enables one to minister to people of all faiths, when traditional venues cannot meet their needs. InterSpirituality means that whichever spiritual path is mindfully chosen by someone, it will lead to the same Divine Unknown, the same Creator, the same Great Spirit.

All major faith traditions function as a vessel for holding and showing us a piece of the mystery and awe that we encounter in the Other. Interspirituality allows one to be free from usual religious boundaries, resulting in all faith traditions being welcomed, honored, and called upon.

“All authentic spiritual traditions, at their core, are committed to the common values of peace, tolerance, wisdom, compassionate service, and love for all creation. Beneath the diversity of theological beliefs, rites, and observances lies the deeper common ground built on a clear understanding of authentic spiritual experience. While there is great value in learning what others believe about the Divine, it is only on that deeper ground of how we experience this vast presence of energy and intelligence that we can recognize and embrace one another as brothers and sisters, and help each other become more fully who we are.”
One Spirit Learning Alliance Website

courtesy of NASA

 If you don’t know the kind of person I am
And I don’t know the kind of person you are
A pattern that others made may prevail in the world
And following the wrong god home
We may miss our star.
                                                William Stafford