Introducing MCM’s Spiritual Director in Residence: Laura Funk

Mennonite Church Manitoba is pleased to introduce Laura Funk as a Spiritual Director in Residence among us.

The idea began as a proposal from Laura’s home congregation, Hope Mennonite Church. Laura had been training as a spiritual director and was looking for opportunities to use her gifts within MCM. The idea caught the imagination of Rick Neufeld, MCM’s Director of Leadership Ministries, and MCM’s Executive Minister, Michael Pahl.

“Laura comes with training and experience in spiritual direction, and she is brimming with ideas about how to introduce our congregations to the benefits of intentional spiritual direction,” says Michael.

Spiritual direction is a field of ministry that focuses on assisting individuals or groups in their unique spiritual journeys. Spiritual directors come alongside directees to provide encouragement and teach skills related to spiritual disciplines such as practicing gratitude, simplicity, prayer, discernment, and more.

Laura will be working through our MCM office to provide resources to congregations and church leaders in these areas. Congregations and church leaders are encouraged to watch for future announcements regarding these resources.

Michael also notes the possibility for future “in residence” programs. “We’d like to explore this as an ongoing program within MCM,” he says. “I can imagine an Artist in Residence one year, working with our churches, a Theologian in Residence another year, and so on.”

Laura has a B.Th. and an M.A. in Christian Ministry from Canadian Mennonite University. She is about to be ordained as a Spiritual Director with MCM. She has been working as a Spiritual Director, retreat leader, and workshop facilitator with Butterfly Journeys (www.butterflyjourneys.ca) since 2012. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 Territory, with her husband Gilbert and is a member of Hope Mennonite Church. Laura can be contacted at lfunk@mennochurch.mb.ca.