Professional Documents
Culture Documents
*adapted from the critical journey by janet hagberg & robert guelich
STAGES OF FAITH CHARACTERISTICS HOW WE GET CAGED HOW WE MOVE TO THE NEXT
STAGE
STAGE ONE: a sense of awe & need for a if we stick to a sense of • become part of a strong group
recognition of God savior and greater meaning worthlessness or • take on more significance
in life. a sense of innocence ignorance and don’t • follow a charismatic leader that
“we believe” & openness believe we are really provides some direction
worth “more”
STAGE TWO: meaning comes from if we become rigid in • recognize our uniqueness
life of discipleship belonging. answers found in righteousness and • identify giftedness
a leader, cause or belief following the rules, • recognize what we can contribute
“we are learning system. sense of rightness & develop a “we against to our group, church, system, etc.
about God” security in our faith them” attitude, keep
switching churches
STAGE THREE: uniqueness in community, if we become overly • lose sense of certainty (things we
the productive life sense of belonging to a zealous in “our way” or thought worked don’t anymore)
church and being part of the become weary in well‐ • experience faith or personal crisis
“we are about doing Body, greater responsibility in doing. if we are self‐ • feel abandoned by God, others
things FOR God” some areas of our lives (work, centered or view our lives • looking for direction & seek
home, church) as performance. guides
THE WALL RESISTANCE AT THE GOING THROUGH THE WALL INVOLVES:
“things just aren’t WALL: • discomfort, surrender, healing,
strong egos, self‐ awareness, forgiveness, risk,
working deprecators, guilt/shame‐ acceptance, love, closeness to
anymore…there’s ridden, intellectuals, high God, discernment, melting,
got to be more” achievers, doctrine‐ molding, solitude & reflection
focused, people‐pleasers
STAGE FOUR: life or faith crisis, loss of if we always question • let go of self‐centeredness
the journey inward certainties. the things that everything and are • accept God’s purposes for our
worked aren’t working consumed by self‐ lives
“we need to figure anymore. search for assessment, become • seek wholeness through personal
out a new way to do direction, not answers. immobilized, don’t keep healing & pilgrimage
this relationship pursuit of personal integrity moving • be willing to commit to whatever
with God & others” in relationship to God, being it takes
“doing” to “being”, God is
released from the box,
sometimes looks & feels like
losing faith
STAGE FIVE: surrenderd to God, a not really caged at this • not striving, just evolving
the journey renewed sense of God’s stage but others can view • growing deeper
acceptance, a sense of you as: • seeing God in all of life
outward deepening relationships, seemingly out of toch • being God’s person
“learning to live out sense of calling, vocation or with practical concerns, • letting go
of a totally different ministry. concern and focus careless about
place” on others’ best interests. a “important” things, and
deep calm or stillness not diligent in certain
areas
STAGE SIX: living in obedience to God, not really caged at this
the life of love wisdom gained from life’s stage but others can view
struggles, compassionate you as:
“it’s all about God” living for others, detachment
from things and stress, life separate from the world,
abandoned that you neglect yourself
and that maybe you’re
“wasting your life”