Empowered by Christ, the Spiritual Life Center offers hope and guidance for the curious and grieving.
Life is full of questions, transitions, and opportunities for growth. Spiritual direction offers a sacred space to listen for God’s voice and discern the Spirit’s movement in your life. Whether you seek clarity, peace, or a deeper connection with God, we provide compassionate guidance grounded in scripture and prayer.
At the Spiritual Life Center, we are committed to creating a space of care, hope, and renewal. Our experienced and certified staff offer spiritual direction to walk alongside you in life’s most meaningful moments.
We provide both individual and group sessions, designed to nurture healing and deepen your spiritual journey. To help sustain these ministries, we invite donations—your generosity makes this work possible.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Spiritual direction is a sacred practice of listening for God’s presence in your life. It creates space to explore questions of meaning, purpose, and faith with a trained guide who helps you notice where God may be at work.
Sessions are prayerful, confidential, and focused on deepening your relationship with Christ—not on fixing problems. Sometimes, tools for spiritual growth are offered to support your journey.
At the Spiritual Life Center, we welcome people of all faith backgrounds. Our goal is to provide a safe, grace-filled space to explore doubts, celebrate joys, and grow closer to God.
Every person is received as a beloved child of God.
Come as you are. Let us walk with you
ABOUT US
Meet Rev. Dr. Cindy Schwartz.
For more than 26 years, Cindy has walked alongside people on their spiritual journeys, offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening heart. She received her training in spiritual direction at San Francisco Theological Seminary and holds a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction. Cindy also brings deep insight from her background in psychology, having earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi and served as a practicing psychologist in Tennessee and Minnesota.
Her call to ministry led her to earn an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and she has served as pastor in several Presbyterian congregations. Today, Cindy serves as Pastor for Spiritual Direction at Germantown Presbyterian Church, where she helps others discover God’s presence in everyday life.
Cindy is married to Jonathan and delights in time with their three adult daughters.
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
Anyone longing to grow closer to Christ or follow Him more faithfully can find support in this ancient practice. Spiritual direction offers space to listen for God and reflect on life’s journey.
You might seek spiritual direction if you are:
• Wrestling with questions of identity or priorities
• Experiencing doubt or a season of struggle with God
• Discerning a call or spiritual gifts
• Longing for deeper intimacy with God
• Exploring new ways to practice faith
• Seeking meaning in a life experience or transition
HOW DOES SPIRITUAL DIRECTION DIFFER
FROM THERAPY OR PASTORAL COUNSELING?
Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, and Therapeutic Counseling all offer listening and care, but their goals differ. Therapy focuses on emotional healing and helping individuals, couples, and families discover their next steps in life, led by licensed mental health professionals. Spiritual Direction centers on deepening your relationship with God and noticing the Spirit’s work in your life.
Spiritual Direction helps individuals grow in their relationship with Christ through prayer, reflective and attentive listening. It is led by Rev. Dr. Cindy Schwartz.
Pastoral Counseling, here at GPC, is led by Rev. Susie Wiggins, a licensed LMFT, in brief duration.
Therapeutic Counseling is provided by the licensed marriage & family therapists (LMFTs), LCSWs, LPCs, and Clinical Psychologists, such as those at the Samaritan Counseling Center with an office at GPC.
QUESTIONS & APPOINTMENTS
Individual spiritual direction sessions may be scheduled by emailing Rev. Dr. Schwartz.
DONATIONS
To help sustain these ministries, we invite donations—your generosity makes this work possible.
- Pay online
- Cash or Check
- Checks are to be written to the Spiritual Life Center with Spiritual Direction noted in the memo line. If mailed, please send to Germantown Presbyterian Church, 2363 S Germantown Rd, Germantown TN 38138.
REFLECTIONS
The Grief Iceberg
by Stephanie Wall, Bereavement Specialist How in the world can it be June 1 already? Things have been such a whirlwind for me the past month - I...
Spiritual Moments
by Rev. Dr. Cindy Schwartz At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were...
Grief – What is it really?
Grief - What is it really? Grief is a word that is tossed around, often without giving it much thought: “Oh good grief” one might say when...
Living Easter
by Rev. Dr. Cindy Schwartz Easter is easy to celebrate, but actually living it requires the courage to name our wounds before God and move forward...
Shame or conviction? There is a difference.
Shame or Conviction? There is a difference. A reflection from Rev. Cindy Schwartz on the difference between shame and conviction… and why it matters...