Melissa McKinney, MA

“I had been my whole life a bell, and never knew it until at that moment I was lifted and struck.” – Annie Dillard

All my life I have loved hosting and fostering deeper connections. God revealed this to me when I was 10 years old, attending a movie star–themed birthday party. While I was the one invited to the party, I walked in with an invitation of my own. Being fully present and attuned to the theme and attendees, I sent out intangible invitations for others to emerge and join me in going deeper in the celebration. Later, the birthday girl’s mother told mine that when I walked in, the room changed – as if my attunement invited others to step in more deeply and made her daughter’s birthday truly special.

The lasting impact of this memory was about my full self emerging and sending out the invitation for others not to shrink back, but to join me. The “magic,” if you will, happened when others took me up on the invitation to meet me in that space, and together we walked into the beauty I knew intuitively was awaiting us: a celebration. It felt as though God had picked me up and rang me, and in that moment I suddenly knew I was a bell — called to invite others into deeper connection.

I understand the experience of burnout—longing for deep rest and feeling like you have nothing left to discern where God is leading next. I know what it is to wrestle with distorted images of God, painful questions, or spiritual dryness. I know what it is to desire wisdom and presence to discern God’s personal engagement in life.

The birthday party memory has stayed with me as a picture of what I now seek to offer in spiritual direction: a space where my presence can become an invitation for others to notice and receive the beauty God is holding out to them. I want to welcome you into the hospitality of an unhurried space, offering my full attention so that you can gently unfold. Together, we will look for how God is already making Himself present to you.

I will invite you to open yourself to the wonder and beauty of God meeting you in the ordinary moments of your life. He has already made the first move toward you and is waiting patiently for you to walk with Him into the beauty He knows awaits you—to be deeply transformed and satisfied by His steadfast love.

Spiritual Direction May Be for You If You…

• Are burned out and long to experience rest
• Are struggling with doubts, spiritual dryness, or wondering where Jesus is
• Want to grow in your attachment to Father, Son, and Spirit and enrich your experience of God’s love
• Carry distorted images of God or wounds with God and need a safe space to unpack and name them
• Are in ministry or a helping profession and need someone to hold the space of faith confidentially so you can rest and wrestle with God
• Want to slow down and crave a quiet space to practice the art of noticing God’s presence in your life

Spiritual Direction Is Not…

• Counseling — the primary relationship of healing is not between you and a therapist, but between you and God
• The director speaking on behalf of God — it is not about the director telling you what to do or what they think God is leading you to do. Rather, it is a time for the director to help you attend to your relationship with God, based on who He reveals Himself to be through His Word

Education & Experience

• Master of Divinity & Master of Educational Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary
• Certification in Spiritual Direction, Lipscomb University, Institute for Christian Spirituality
• Member of CSDA (Christ-centered Spiritual Directors Association)
• Over 15 years of ministry experience
• 9 years of experience living cross-culturally
• Committed to ongoing professional development, including regular supervision