About Dr. Lori Tate
Spiritual Director, Enneagram Coach, and Companion/Guide for your spiritual journey.
Who I Am
I have a bachelor’s degree in Art & Design from Grand Valley State University, as well as a Masters of Art in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary. I earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Spiritual Direction & Formation through the Graduate Theological Foundation via Dominican Center of Marywood, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Over the last 20 years I have served in various kids’ ministries at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio; Westwinds Church in Jackson, Michigan and The Gathering Place –a faith-based early childhood education center – in Toledo, Ohio.
I am a member of Spiritual Directors International, as well as the Jackson Area Spiritual Directors Association.
As a tool of personal transformation I have studied Enneagram: The Discernment of Spirits by Richard Rohr, as well as attended lectures given by Enneagram gurus, Dr. Jerry Wagner, Dr. Beatrice Chestnut, Russ Hudson, Tom Condon and Mario Sikora. I earned my certification with IEA Professional Accredited practitioner, Rev. Clare Loughrige, in Motions of the Soul, which integrates the Enneagram with St. Ignatius’ discernment process (2017). I also received my certification with Dr. Jerry Wagner for The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles in July 2018.
For community, personal growth and accountability, I meet monthly with my personal spiritual director and a group of spiritual directors for peer supervision. I expanded my spiritual direction experience with a 2-week practicum in retreat direction training with Dominican Sister Nancy Brousseau (2013).
Why I Do What I Do
For years I tried to get closer to God. I read my Bible, prayed, gave to others, served at church. Despite all my efforts to show God my love for him, I often felt angry and/or empty. Whatever I did was not enough. When I struggled with an eating disorder, I “just knew” that if I could love God more, everything would be OK and I would no longer feel the way I did. I feared that this was all the Christian life offered, a cycle of striving, failure, guilt, anger and then trying again, but harder.
By the grace of God I connected with a group of people who began to teach me about the Holy Spirit and the “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matt. 11.28 MSG). I learned that I could not transform myself, or anyone else for that matter. What I could do is create the conditions in which spiritual transformation takes place, by developing and maintaining a rhythm of spiritual practices that keep me open and available to God. (Ruth Haley Barton)
How I Can Help
No matter where you may be in this season of spiritual growth if you a desire to deepen your relationship with the Holy, to move beyond where you are and fully seek Him with all your heart, mind and soul, spiritual direction may be beneficial to you. The fact that you have felt a longing for Jesus is an indication that He is calling out to you. Your desire for God is His desire for you.
Jesus said in Matthew 11.28 (The Message) “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest . . . work, walk and watch how I do it. . . . learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Perhaps at this season in your life you are ready to explore meeting with a spiritual life coach or spiritual director. This is your invitation. Ask the Spirit how you should respond.
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Whether you’re curious about spiritual direction or ready to explore an offering, I welcome the opportunity to connect.
Notice God’s presence, direct your thoughts towards God, and instill peace within yourself.
