I often wondered, "What am I missing?"

Do you ever wonder that?

"Is this all there is to life?
Isn't there supposed to be something more?"

I was a life-long church-attender and active participant, a multiply-certified coach, an award-winning, long-time educator, writer, musician, parent, wife...

Yet these questions still dogged me. After our children left the house and my husband and I were empty-nesters, I was suddenly, deeply uncertain about my purpose. I felt like I was treading water.

My life was transformed some years ago, however, when one person took an interest in my faith journey and began to disciple me one-on-one. She prayed with me and for me; patiently answered my millions of questions; and taught me how to really read the Bible for the first time in my life.

By doing life together I learned how to do life with God, which in turn helped me grow in awareness about my inner life.

Through this experience, I discovered that spiritual formation is relational, embodied, and in every aspect of our lives. These discoveries eventually become the foundation for Inside Out Ministries.

What Shapes My Work

I think about Christian formation through three interwoven strands:

Life with God — drawing near to God, abiding in Christ, and learning to bring our real lives honestly into relationship with him.

Inner Knowledge — noticing what is happening within us: our emotions, bodily reactions, fears, longings, motivations, and familiar patterns.

Life Together — growing alongside others who help us tell the truth, give and receive love, practice repair, discern wisely, and follow Jesus together.

"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
~1 Thess. 2:8

The Ministry To Which I Am Called

I want to create the kinds of spaces that have mattered most in my own life: places where people can slow down, draw near to God honestly, notice what is happening within them, and grow alongside others who care deeply about following Jesus.

I know how easy it is to accumulate knowledge about God while parts of our actual lives remain untouched by it. I also know the gift of having people who help us listen more carefully, tell the truth more freely, and recognize where God may already be at work.

I aim to offer that kind of companionship through Inside Out Ministries.

“My relationship with Debbie has been life-giving in this season. She intentionally weaves Biblical truth, experience and lovingkindness into every session we have together.“

~Julie Lenocker, directee

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Training and Background

I am a spiritual director, leadership coach, retreat leader, writer, and facilitator.

My formation and training include:

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives — Portland Seminary
Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Direction training — PAX Center
Advanced training in the Enneagram — Dan Siegel, Jerome Wagner, Beth McCord
Training in attachment, relational spirituality, and interpersonal neurobiology — Dan Siegel, Todd Hall
Training in IFS for coaches
Master of Music in Choral Conducting — New England Conservatory
Master of Science in Library and Information Science — Simmons University
Bachelor’s degree in English and Music — Mount Holyoke College

I also draw from Ignatian spirituality, leadership development, neuroscience, attachment theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and the Neuro-Based Enneagram to help illuminate why familiar reactions can become so automatic and why insight alone does not always lead to change.

But those tools remain just that: tools. They can help us notice and understand what is happening within us, but they are not the source of transformation. God is. The deeper invitation is to draw near to him, abide in Christ, and become increasingly available to the Spirit’s work in us.

"Deborah Owen is well trained and well qualified to aid you along your spiritual path toward Christ-likeness; and she has a genuine desire to do so. She is a person of integrity, intentionality, and someone you can trust.

Best of all, Debbie is on the journey with you, experiencing her own ongoing transformation through time-tested spiritual disciplines and an ever growing sense of self-awareness. I encourage you to let Debbie serve you on your journey with Trinity."

~Cindy Carey, spiritual formation colleague

Hiking in the mountains with husband, Arch.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?...

Deborah C. Owen and husband on a mountain

... My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Psalm121:1-2

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On the More Personal Side

I live in western Maine with my husband, Arch, where the mountains, woods, and changing seasons are a constant invitation to pay attention to God and God's gifts in creation. We have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters who bring tremendous joy to our family.

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember—I’m a choral conductor, semi-professional classical singer, and violinist as well as a writer—and I am rarely far from a book, a trail, or a hammock swing by the lake.

Where Might You Want to Begin?

If something here resonates, you’re welcome to explore the different ways we might work together—from spiritual direction and coaching to retreats, formation experiences, and resources for deeper life with God.

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