Many have not heard the term “Interfaith Minister.” The general understanding is that Interfaith Ministers aim to bridge gaps between various religious traditions and support individuals in their spiritual journeys, regardless of their specific beliefs. The heart of their work is based on inclusivity, respect, and the promotion of peace and understanding among different faith communities.
The heart of their work is based on inclusivity, respect, and the promotion of peace and understanding among different faith communities.
I did not even understand what an Interfaith Minister was when I began my seminary studies at One Spirit Seminary in NYC. Rather than limiting my ministerial service to one mainline church, I was thirsting for a deeper understanding of many faith traditions.
Another aspect of our preparation at One Spirit was an introduction to Interspirituality – something else I had never encountered. This is One Spirit’s explanation of Interspirituality:
“At One Spirit, we respect and honor the differences of the many paths as we celebrate and value our sameness – we know all spiritual traditions share universal teachings, which bring us together as ONE in harmony. Whether you look to Yahweh or Jesus, Mohammad or the Dali Lama…whether you find freedom in the heavens or grounding in the earth…whether you practice in silence or jubilant sound…we believe that at the core, we are all one.” (Excerpt from One Spirit Seminary)
I am so very grateful that this experiential program prepared me to do what I love — creating rituals for life cycle celebrations, planning retreats and services, and guiding people towards a deeper understanding of their own spirituality. That is the basis of my calling.
