If you have decided to develop your psychic and spiritual gifts, you should do so safely; certain in the knowledge that your teacher is equipped with enough know-how to help you. They should, hopefully, have years of experience as a medium. Unfortunately, there are lots of people getting involved in running circles who do not possess the skills to do so, or the experience which is vital to safety.
Sadly, I have attended some church circles where the person leading the development group is not a medium. In fact, some group leaders have very little knowledge of both Spiritualism and mediumship – some not even knowing the difference between psychics and mediums. This is the very basics of what you should be demanding.
Often there is no one else willing to run the development group at a spiritualist church, so it is deemed better by the committees, to have a willing someone than to have no one at all. This is bad form. Better to have no circle than a badly run circle.
It is a sad fact that a person with a little knowledge can do more harm than good when it comes to training novices. If they have a limited knowledge, they cannot answer questions or help a person who is having problems. Therefore not at all safe.
If you decide to join any circles, be it privately or in a church, always check the credentials of the group leader. Ask the committee about the circle and the person running it, or other members of any private group. If in doubt, do not join.
You would also find it useful to read the posts I have written on opening up and closing down. This too is important to safety and not taken seriously by a lot of people. If you are open, you can attract spirits. Therefore you should only be open when you are wanting such contact.
More on this subject from time to time. You may email me at the link above if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way.