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“The journey is not a linear progression, but rather a circle in which God is at the centre, and people at each stage on the perimeter are loved and cared for equally.”
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Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich

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The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith

What is The Critical Journey?
A Spiritual Map for Growth
Just as physical maps guide us to our destinations, The Critical Journey provides a framework for navigating the stages of spiritual growth. This paradigm helps individuals deepen their faith by understanding key transition points, including "The Wall"—a significant hurdle often experienced as a crisis of faith. By exploring these stages, we can grow closer to God and rediscover our true selves.

Origins
Developed in the 1980s and 1990s by Janet Hagberg, a spiritual director and social activist, and Robert Guelich, a Fuller Seminary professor, The Critical Journey was created to address the complexities of modern spirituality.

The Six Stages of Faith
The journey is broken into six stages:

1. Recognition of God
2. The Life of Discipleship
3. The Productive Life
4. The Journey Inward (includes The Wall, an obstacle, not a stage)
5. The Journey Outward
6. The Life of Love

These stages offer a roadmap for personal reflection, spiritual growth, and greater intimacy with God.

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Resources 

I’ve designed a fantasy-style map to visually represent the six stages of faith, making them easy to understand and engaging. This resource is perfect for teaching Faith Stages to individuals and teams in a creative, memorable way.If you’d like to book a seminar or workshop on The Critical Journey, please fill out the Contact form and select "The Critical Journey."
You can also download The Critical Journey Map and Cheat Sheet for a small fee—just click the links below!

The Critical Journey - Map Cheat Sheet  

The Critical Journey Map