--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Door: So spiritual direction is a slow…" description: "\"“Door: So spiritual direction is a slow process that looks idle and inefficient. Peterson: It's subversive. I'm a subversive, really. I gather the peop..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/eugene-h-peterson-1745_bible_door-so-spiritual-direction-is-a-slow-pr_2274258.jpg" --- # Door: So spiritual direction is a slow process that looks… ![“Door: So spiritual direction is a slow process that looks idle and inefficient. Peterson: It's subversive. I'm a subversive, really. I gather the people in worship, I pray for them, I engage them often in matters of spiritual correction, and I take them on two really strong retreats a year. I am a…” quote by Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/eugene-h-peterson-1745_bible_door-so-spiritual-direction-is-a-slow-pr_2274258.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/eugene-h-peterson-1745_bible_door-so-spiritual-direction-is-a-slow-pr_2274258.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/eugene-h-peterson-1745_bible_door-so-spiritual-direction-is-a-slow-pr_2274258.jpg) > ““Door: So spiritual direction is a slow process that looks idle and inefficient. Peterson: It's subversive. I'm a subversive, really. I gather the people in worship, I pray for them, I engage them often in matters of spiritual correction, and I take them on two really strong retreats a year. I am a true subversive. We live in a culture that we think is Christian. When a congregation gathers in a church, they assume they are among friends in a basically friendly world (with the exception of pornographers, etc.). If I, as their pastor, get up and tell them the world is not friendly and they are really idol worshippers, they think I'm crazy. This culture has twisted all of our metaphors and images and structures of understanding. But I can't say that directly. The only way that you can approach people is indirectly, obliquely. A head-on attack doesn't work. Jesus was the master of indirection. The parables are subversive. His hyperboles are indirect. There is a kind of outrageous quality to them that defies common sense, but later on the understanding comes. The largest poetic piece in the Bible, Revelation, is a subversive piece. Instead of (being) a three-point lecturer, the pastor is instead a storyteller and a pray-er. Prayer and story become the primary means by which you get past people's self-defense mechanisms. In my book, I say it this way: "I must remember that I am a subversive. My long-term effectiveness depends on my not being recognized for who I am as a pastor. If the church member actually realized that the American way of life is doomed to destruction and that another kingdom is right now being formed in secret to take its place, he wouldn't be pleased at all. If he knew what I was really doing and the difference it was making, he would fire me." True subversion requires patience. You slowly get cells of people who are believing in what you are doing, participating in it.”” [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peterson argues that spiritual guidance must be indirect, using stories and prayer to bypass resistance and foster deep change. **In simple terms:** Spiritual guidance works best when indirect and patient. Key Takeaway Use stories and prayer to influence subtly. Themes spirituality leadership subversion communication patience Mood reflective thoughtful strategic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - pastoral counseling - church leadership - personal mentorship - conflict resolution Key Concepts indirection parables cultural critique storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can you embed deeper truths in everyday conversations? - What indirect methods have you found effective? A Different Perspective Direct confrontation often triggers defensiveness and can alienate listeners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Parables Subversive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parables-subversive-5282912/) [Peterson Subversive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peterson-subversive-5282910/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Revelation Subversive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelation-subversive-5282909/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Slow Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slow-process/) [Spiritual direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-direction/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) [Worshippers Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worshippers-think-5282911/) ## Related quotes > [“You seem disappointed that I am not more responsive to your interest in "spiritual direction". 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Thomas Ashbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-thomas-ashbrook/) > [Some important ideas from the book of early Christians which is called Philokalia: From Spiritual Directions of Diadochus of Photiki The acme of faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/some-important-ideas-from-the-book-of-early-christians-which-is/) [Vladimir Aleksandrovich Antonov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-aleksandrovich-antonov/) > [I find when most people are honest about their spiritual pilgrimage, they admit to the difficulty of maintaining the habit of a spiritual discipline.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-find-when-most-people-are-honest-about-their-spiritual-pilgrimage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I decide that candor is probably best, that I will never see this woman again after this month. “I’m honestly not sure why I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsh-oxenreider/i-decide-that-candor-is-probably-best-that-i-will-never-see-this/) [Tsh Oxenreider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsh-oxenreider/) > [“As we mature in faith, our willingness is tested, expanded, and refined. We become more conscious of our limitations and turn to God. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-a-bakke/as-we-mature-in-faith-our-willingness-is-tested-expanded-and-refined/) [Jeannette A. Bakke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-a-bakke/) > [“Whatever comes into your heart and mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/whatever-comes-into-your-heart-and-mind-when-you-think-about-god-is/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) ## More by Eugene H. Peterson > [“Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/forget-about-deciding-what-s-right-for-each-other-here-s-what-you/) [Eugene H. 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Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Repentance is a realization that what God wants from you and what you want from God are not going to be achieved by doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/repentance-is-a-realization-that-what-god-wants-from-you-and-what-you/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [It's essential for us to develop an imagination that is participatory. Art is the primary way in which this happens. It's the primary way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/it-s-essential-for-us-to-develop-an-imagination-that-is-participatory/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [“My uncle Ernie didn't believe in God. At least that's what he said. But he always Went to church on Christmas. Which I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/my-uncle-ernie-didn-t-believe-in-god-at-least-that-s-what-he-said-but/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/you-don-t-make-your-words-true-by-embellishing-them-with-religious/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [“And the remainder of the Message details God’s intricate and loving plan to redeem, restore, and reconcile creation back to himself after what happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/and-the-remainder-of-the-message-details-god-s-intricate-and-loving/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) [Explore all 210 Eugene H. Peterson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. 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They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Door: So spiritual direction is a slow process that looks idle and inefficient. Peterson: It's subversive. I'm a subversive, really. I gather the people in worship, I pray for them, I engage them often in matters of spiritual correction, and I take them on two really strong retreats a year. I am a true subversive. We live in a culture that we think is Christian. When a congregation gathers in a church, they assume they are among friends in a basically friendly world (with the exception of pornographers, etc.). If I, as their pastor, get up and tell them the world is not friendly and they are really idol worshippers, they think I'm crazy. This culture has twisted all of our metaphors and images and structures of understanding. But I can't say that directly. The only way that you can approach people is indirectly, obliquely. A head-on attack doesn't work. Jesus was the master of indirection. The parables are subversive. His hyperboles are indirect. There is a kind of outrageous quality to them that defies common sense, but later on the understanding comes. The largest poetic piece in the Bible, Revelation, is a subversive piece. Instead of (being) a three-point lecturer, the pastor is instead a storyteller and a pray-er. Prayer and story become the primary means by which you get past people's self-defense mechanisms. In my book, I say it this way: \"I must remember that I am a subversive. My long-term effectiveness depends on my not being recognized for who I am as a pastor. If the church member actually realized that the American way of life is doomed to destruction and that another kingdom is right now being formed in secret to take its place, he wouldn't be pleased at all. If he knew what I was really doing and the difference it was making, he would fire me.\" True subversion requires patience. You slowly get cells of people who are believing in what you are doing, participating in it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eugene H. 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