Who We Are

Scott McRae

I’ve been a spiritual seeker since childhood. A spiritual thread has run through my life and led me to my current passion, which is to help people wake up to a life of greater abundance, freedom, and service in the world. Based in Minneapolis, I’ve had hundreds of clients as a spiritual counselor, spiritual director, and leadership/life coach through our Sojourners Institute.

Since 2004, I’ve loved training spiritual directors and leading programs in spiritual development, which in more recent years I do with my wife, Melanie. I also provide workshops, retreats, and leadership consultation focusing on spiritual growth and/or the Enneagram.

When I’m not playing in these spiritual ventures, (or, in other words, in my day job) I am a Clinical Pastoral Educator for a health care organization, and I serve on the board of Enneagram Minnesota and serve as treasurer. Hobby-wise, I love to play jazz piano, read-read-read, knit a little, and walk dogs a lot.

What transpired in my life before today? Well, I grew up in Northfield, MN. I vowed never to be a pastor (in 9th grade), and years later decided that helping people through ministry was what I most wanted.

I graduated from Augustana College, in Rock Island, IL, with religion and psychology majors, and then headed out to graduate school at Yale Divinity School. There I not only got my Masters Degree, but, best of all, met Melanie. I hit the jackpot in New Haven, CT! And, we have a lovely adult daughter, Ana. I’d love to help you find ways to hit some jackpots in your life.

I’d also love to hear from you. Email Scott Here.

Click here for more info about Scott

Melanie McRae

The path to my current work and understanding of spirituality has been more winding than most. Growing up in South Carolina, I explored a wide range of southern religious experience. It was in college that I began to question my religious background, and this led my to head North for Divinity School.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself as a bereavement counselor in hospice care, a yoga teacher, and a spiritual director. Along with my bereavement work and teaching yoga at a Minneapolis studio, I lead with my husband, Scott, our Course in Spiritual Growth & Guidance Program, and I see clients for spiritual direction.

In between my ordination as a pastor in 1989 and my current work, I spent years in parish ministry, and in chaplaincy in long term care and hospitals. I am a graduate of Yale Divinity School, the Center for Spiritual Guidance (St. Paul), and the Yoga Center (Minneapolis).

I love to spend time with Scott and our three dogs, and few things make me happier than time spent with our adult daughter, Ana. I also love long walks, good fiction, playing my harp, and cooking, and knitting and needle-craft (you can find my work on this site - Bright Heart Goods!). Let me know if I can be of help to you in your winding journey.

Have a question for me? Email Melanie Here

Brian Bard, spiritual director and writer at InVocation Spiritual Guidance

Brian Bard - Creative Partner & Project Manager

As a lifelong spiritual seeker and writer, I’m thrilled to be helping Sojourners Institute on the technical side their offerings! It’s a gift to get to work with Scott and Melanie – and with you, as you explore all the wonderful ways they’re helping us grow in soulfulness!

In my work as a fellow Spiritual Director, I lend guidance and accompaniment as you become more conversant with Spirit, Soul, and the Sacred. I’ve been trained in the Anam Cara tradition through the Celtic Center of Seattle, and I come to this work from an eclectic spiritual and vocational background. A would-be pastor, teacher, artist, therapist, and community organizer at various times – now I’m all of these at once, plus a husband to my lovely wife, Devin (and a friend to the famous Ana)!

You can find me at invitedinvocation.com, where I’m also active on the InVocation blog!

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT