Forming The Leader's Soul: An Invitation to Spiritual Direction
Morris Dirks spent 18 years as the lead pastor in two churches. Through it all he experienced the spiritual and emotional challenges that are connected to leadership. During a particularly difficult season he sought out a spiritual director and entered his journey into a deeper understanding of the value of this discipline in the life of the leader.  In 2006 Dirks founded SoulFormation, a nonprofit organization committed to the spiritual and emotional health of leaders in Christian ministry. It was birthed out of an ever-increasing awareness of the intense challenges faced by pastors and other Christian leaders. SoulFormation seeks to provide support and resources needed to assist leaders by offering one-to-one spiritual direction, spiritual formation retreats, and conferences. Three full-time staff with extensive leadership backgrounds and influence serve on the SoulFormation team. Morris now works across denominational and organizational lines. He has spoken at key events from coast to coast including keynoting at conventions. Additionally he has spoken at missionary leadership events in various countries around the world. Morris holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina (1976), a Master of Divinity from The Canadian Theological Seminary (1983), and a Doctorate in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from George Fox University (2007).  Morris is married to Ruth manages a private counseling practice.  They live in Portland, Oregon.