Spiritual Advisor ???

[Neighbor]

Hi all, a serious question here, just what  is a spiritual advisor? I don't think I have one I don't think I want one either-reasonI think I need direct communication with my creator The idea of having someone assigned to know what is best for me between God and myself- Hmm I don't get it I guess, and so I ask why do especially some people declare they have spiritual advisor(s)?

Secondly if there is to be merit in having spiritual advisor(s) what would that  "office : demand  in the way of qualifications? Would there be personal history that may disqualify a person from advising? Would it be at least as high as qualification for  being a church body elder? ??

 

 

[Michael37]

4 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

Hi all, a serious question here, just what  is a spiritual advisor? I don't think I have one I don't think I want one either-reasonI think I need direct communication with my creator The idea of having someone assigned to know what is best for me between God and myself- Hmm I don't get it I guess, and so I ask why do especially some people declare they have spiritual advisor(s)?

Secondly if there is to be merit in having spiritual advisor(s) what would that  "office : demand  in the way of qualifications? Would there be personal history that may disqualify a person from advising? Would it be at least as high as qualification for  being a church body elder? ??

A Spiritual Adviser must have two qualifications. Oh, wait, this is a serious question so I can't just say they must be spiritually-minded and they must agree to advise.

In the TV series Madam Secretary, which I followed with interest, Elizabeth McCord's husband, Henry McCord, played a significant role. He was a theology professor and a former Marine pilot. His expertise in religion and military background made him an asset to the U.S. government, and he served as an operative for the National Security Agency (NSA). Throughout the series, Henry's role evolved, and he eventually took on responsibilities as a White House ethics advisor. His contributions often intertwined with Elizabeth's work as the Secretary of State, making them a dynamic and formidable team.

Kind of relevant.

[Neighbor]

20 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

A Spiritual Adviser must have two qualifications. Oh, wait, this is a serious question so I can't just say they must be spiritually-minded and they must agree to advise.

In the TV series Madam Secretary, which I followed with interest, Elizabeth McCord's husband, Henry McCord, played a significant role. He was a theology professor and a former Marine pilot. His expertise in religion and military background made him an asset to the U.S. government, and he served as an operative for the National Security Agency (NSA). Throughout the series, Henry's role evolved, and he eventually took on responsibilities as a White House ethics advisor. His contributions often intertwined with Elizabeth's work as the Secretary of State, making them a dynamic and formidable team.

Kind of relevant.

Hi Michael 37, Thanks for a quick as well as a more specific response.

Perhaps I am fishing for definition as well as practical application. I like many have associations with  a pastor and pastors, and elders, and  even deacons and deaconesses. I have writers from history and even current events that do enlighten. YET I don't think I have a spiritual advisor. To me that  smacks of a differing ( Or an avoidance) of my own responsibility directly to God. 

Am I to tell God well the advisor He/She told me to do it.

Am I relieved of my own responsibility to read the word of God to pray and yes talk to my creator personally?

Where does this concept of a spiritual advisor come in? I have heard of politcal figures as well  figures promoting causes say they have a spiritual advisor. Some Bible characters had spiritual advisors too. Does that give them some extra credit or credibility? ??? 

[Neighbor]

Looked up Spiritually minded and received this:

"Being spiritually minded means having a focus on spiritual matters and values, prioritizing thoughts and actions that align with a connection to God and spiritual teachings. It involves seeking peace and guidance through a relationship with the divine rather than being preoccupied with worldly concerns."

Having a little difficulty with that idea,  Does God allow a political leader or a king a ruler defer his own relationship with God to one that has little or no worldly concerns? I think each of us must have worldly concerns if we are to serve God as one's on this world but not of it. 

 

 

[chirpy]

only God knows the heart of Trump so all is speculation as to his motive for having a controversial spiritual advisor.

But as a politician,  his voter base came from the conservative/church voter.  People who are opposed to the proliferation of abortion and what is considered deviant life style.   He has not been a consistent church goer or member so his exposure to the "church culture" is limited and his advisor may help him understand the mental/emotional background of this large group from the "church". 

If his heart truly seeks God, God will guide him and we can only pray the spiritual advisor he has chosen will not lead him astray.

The spiritual fight is on..... pray pray pray

 

 

[In the Clouds]

I think there is a difference between spiritual adviser and spiritual mentor.  A mentor is someone who has deeper understanding and knowledge of God and the Bible.  He is a nurturer and teacher of the Word and God and Holy Spirit.  An adviser can be a mentor but may tell you what you should or shouldn't be doing, thinking, feeling,..  There's more of a human element in advising and judging.  We know that some human advice is fallible.

[chirpy]

Some presidents of the past have had weekly Bible studies/prayer time for self and staff.....

who knows...... maybe this White House will have a prayer/bible study time the President will consistently attend....

 

[Neighbor]

22 minutes ago, chirpy said:

only God knows the heart of Trump so all is speculation as to his motive for having a controversial spiritual advisor.

But as a politician,  his voter base came from the conservative/church voter.  People who are opposed to the proliferation of abortion and what is considered deviant life style.   He has not been a consistent church goer or member so his exposure to the "church culture" is limited and his advisor may help him understand the mental/emotional background of this large group from the "church". 

If his heart truly seeks God, God will guide him and we can only pray the spiritual advisor he has chosen will not lead him astray.

The spiritual fight is on..... pray pray pray

 

 

Hi, I am not really personally aware of details of POTUS spiritual advisor(s) other than to recall his mentioning he had 10 some time back. What I am interested in at this point is finding a definition or understanding of what is a spiritual advisor.

 For example, I reference Spurgeon often, is Spurgeon my spiritual advisor though? I think he is not. I listen to a couple of pastors and also elders, maybe they are closer to advisors, but I think In The Clouds  has hit it  rightly,  that there are mentors, teachers.

I think I find the idea of an advisor to be a person or committee to which responsibility for spiritual matters are delegated. I don't think I can  delegate my own spiritual matters out to another to handle,  I have to take absolute personal responsibility  for my action and thoughts before God.

I chat with God directly, so I guess I might not have use for an advisor, but sure can use pastor teacher "mentors".

Anyway still seeking thoughts on the subject so thanks for participating!

[Neighbor]

Of course as an aside there is also the thought there is nothing that is not a spiritual matter.  Least not if one is to strive to do all that is done to the glory of God alone. Yet how often is there success versus failure? Can one be like a baseball player and think success is hitting successful 1/3 of the time?

[Deborah_]

I have a friend who has trained as a spiritual adviser. She's a mature woman, and a very godly Christian.

There are many Christians who find themselves in a situation where they struggle to know what God is saying to them - maybe the issue is a complex one, or they're having difficulty untangling God's guidance from their own thoughts and desires. A spiritual adviser brings some objectivity into their situation. You could think of it as a form of Christian counselling, I suppose. "Advising" isn't "telling someone what to do" but helping them to think clearly in order to be able to make their own decision.

Most of us have pastors or ministers who we can go to. People come to this forum for spiritual advice (a much more risky thing to do, as not all the answers they get will be from mature Christians). Where do church leaders go? Who "pastors" the pastors? They might well need a trained spiritual adviser.