Demystifying Interfaith: Expanding the Sacred to Include Every Path

Jul 9, 2025

Interfaith is not just a conversation between religions. It is a way of living that embraces the sacred in each person’s story.

At OneSpirit, we are redefining what that really means.

What Interfaith Really Means

Many people hear the word “interfaith” and picture events that bring together leaders from different religious backgrounds. While those are valuable, we believe interfaith is more than a series of dialogues. It is about creating a compassionate, inclusive space that honours each person’s spiritual journey, whether rooted in a traditional faith, a blend of practices, or something entirely personal. Interfaith is a way of listening, witnessing, and serving that brings the sacred into everyday life.

A Home for Every Spiritual Path

For some, religion has offered solace, structure, and joy. For others, it has been a source of exclusion or pain. At OneSpirit, we hold space for both experiences. Our training honours the wisdom within every spiritual tradition while affirming that sacredness is not limited to those traditions. We welcome those who find connection in nature, creativity, silence, ritual, community, or in the quiet voice that calls them inward.

Ministry as Everyday Service

As we prepare to celebrate our 2025 ordinands this month, we are reminded that ministry is not simply a title. It is a way of offering service to others. Our ministers come from all backgrounds and bring with them a rich variety of stories. They are artists, activists, parents, poets, former clergy, and lifelong seekers. They serve in hospitals, prisons, weddings, funerals, classrooms, and communities. What unites them is a shared commitment to meet others with open hearts and a deep listening presence.

“I never thought I could call myself a minister until I found OneSpirit. Now I serve in my own way, grounded in love and community.”

The Future of Inclusive Spiritual Leadership

This is the kind of ministry the world needs more of. Not a ministry that tells people what to believe, but one that holds space for who they truly are. Not one that speaks from a pulpit, but one that stands beside others in their most joyful and tender moments.

Could This Be Your Next Step?

If you have felt a quiet inner nudge towards something more, something that invites personal growth and the chance to serve others with presence and care, this may be your time. Our early bird offer for the 2025 to 2027 Spiritual Development and Ministry Training closes on 1 August!

Visit our website to learn more and begin your journey!

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation offers a two-year Spiritual Development and Ministry Training for those called to serve people of all faiths and none. Our ‘Cherry Tree Pathway’ is open for enrolment through the end of September, with the next cohort beginning in October 2025. The training is delivered fully online, with optional modules available both remotely and in person, providing flexibility and depth to support each student’s unique journey.

GO BACK

Listening is Love

True listening isn’t about waiting our turn, it’s a loving gesture of presence. In interfaith spaces, listening deeply creates space for stories, identity, grief, joy. It’s not about understanding perfectly, but about saying, “I’m here with you,” and offering connection as an act of love.

Lessons from a Luminous Life

Reflecting on Nicola Coombe’s luminous life, we remember her quiet presence, fierce love, and deep reverence for the mystery of being human. From making space in our days to speaking truth with care, her embodied wisdom continues to guide us in ministry, service, and connection.

In the Season of Light: A Solstice-Inspired Reflection

The Summer Solstice invites us to pause, reflect, and honour the light within and around us. Through ritual, journaling, and presence, we reconnect with nature, celebrate growth, and welcome the turning of the seasons.

10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Making Spirituality My Career

Rev April Kling shares 10 honest lessons from her spiritual career so far, filled with warmth, insight, and encouragement for anyone considering a soul-led path.

What if my life was an act of reverence?

What if your whole life was an act of reverence? In this poetic reflection, OneSpirit student Andrew Jones explores how deep attention, presence, and love can transform the everyday into the sacred.

Women’s History Month: Indigenous Women Leaders

Indigenous women have long been central to the spiritual and cultural life of their communities, yet their leadership has often been overlooked. From ancient traditions to contemporary movements, women are reclaiming spiritual authority and revitalising practices passed down through generations. In communities such as the Lakota and Haudenosaunee, women have historically held positions of spiritual leadership, and today, figures like Winona LaDuke and Tiana Ngata continue to lead efforts to preserve and strengthen Indigenous spiritual practices. As these women reclaim their rightful roles, they ensure that Indigenous spirituality remains a powerful force in today’s world.

Women’s History Month: Women in Spiritual Traditions

Women have played a crucial role in shaping spiritual traditions, from revered figures like Kuan Yin and Táhirih to trailblazing leaders such as Harriet Tubman and Phyllis Curott. Despite facing exclusion, women continue to reclaim leadership roles and push for gender equality within spiritual communities, ensuring traditions remain inclusive and vibrant. This Women’s History Month, we honour their resilience and lasting influence.

Month of Ministry ‘War’ Reflection

In Day 21 of #MonthOfMinistry, the prompt "War" reflects on the internal battles we sometimes fight, between our true selves and the identities imposed upon us. The author of this post, Birch Pathway Student Justin, shares a personal struggle, likening the inner conflict to the external wars that ravage our world, both born from the destructive belief that peace can only come through conquest. The message encourages finding true peace not through domination, but through understanding, justice, and love, reminding us that we must first reconcile with ourselves to end the wars we impose on others.

Introducing the Cherry Tree Pathway

The Cherry Tree Pathway is our new blended learning programme, offering a mix of online and in-person experiences for those seeking a flexible approach to spiritual development.

Redefining Interfaith

We celebrate a new, inclusive vision of interfaith, one that welcomes all spiritual paths, honoring the richness of personal experience beyond traditional religions.

Demystifying Interfaith: Moving Forward

Interfaith dialogue goes beyond religious boundaries, embracing diverse spiritual and secular perspectives. This inclusive approach fosters understanding and respect for all paths.