The Institute of Spiritual Companionship (ISC) is an ecumenical not-for-profit organization in the Chicago metropolitan region for the growth and support of the ministry of spiritual direction/companionship. ISC has been training laity and clergy for spiritual companionship since 1984. ISC had its birth from the (Protestant) Christian Laity of Chicago (CLC) organization under the guidance of the Rev. Hal Edwards, in meetings with the (Roman Catholic) Chicago Archdiocesen Office for Parish Councils led by Fr. Ralph Starus.

The mission of the Institute of Spiritual Companionship is to form and equip persons to be faithful in their own spiritual lives, and as companions to others, to become adept in discerning the movements of the soul, thus assisting persons healthily to engage their relationship with God as creator, redeemer, and empowerer of life.
(Statement adopted by the Board 1/6/1977)

We wish to be known as the place--

Where holy listening changes lives.

By the word ecumenical we mean that ISC has, since its beginning, been an organization that has welcomed and has been led by people of various Christian denominations. ISC is not an organization that represents one church body alone.

Yes. Although ISC is primarily oriented in the Christian faith, people from other faiths are welcome to participate in its formation and enrichment programs. We respect other faith traditions and seek to learn from them in our programs. In the two year program students learn from guest faculty from Jewish, Buddhist, or other spiritual traditions.

By the term spiritual companionship this institute means that someone is formed for a ministry of companioning another person or a group of people in their spiritual journey in life. An older term that is still used is spiritual director.