Who We Are

Scott McRae

I’ve been a spiritual seeker since childhood. A sacred thread has woven its way through my life and led me to my current passion: helping people awaken to lives of greater abundance, sacred freedom, and meaningful service in the world.

I’m a native Minnesotan and graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, with majors in religion and psychology. From there, I went on to Yale Divinity School, where I earned my Master of Divinity degree—and, best of all, met my future wife, Melanie. I truly hit the jackpot in New Haven, CT! Together we have a wonderful adult daughter, Ana.

Professionally, my journey has included ordination in the Lutheran Church (ELCA), parish and campus ministries, and many years of chaplaincy and leadership in hospital settings, where I also was a certified trainer of chaplains. I retired in 2024 from hospital ministry.

Since 2004, I’ve loved training spiritual directors and leading programs in spiritual development, as well as offering workshops and groups that focus on both spirituality and the Enneagram. Today, I devote my time to Sojourners Institute, which I co-founded with Melanie in 2014.

When I’m not engaged in these spiritual ventures, I enjoy nature walks around our Minneapolis home with Melanie and Fergus, our Wonder Dog (yes, he really did win Best of Breed at the Westminster Dog Show!). I also love playing jazz piano, reading a lot, knitting a little, and cooking more—much to Melanie’s relief!

If you have any questions for me, please reach out by Emailing Me 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