The document outlines 4 stages of faith development moving from simplicity to complexity to perplexity and finally to humility/harmony, describing each stage in terms of focus, beliefs, view of authorities, identity, and relationship to God. It also discusses transitions between stages as difficult periods involving doubt and explores how to minister to people at different stages of development.

2. spirituality
through life’s
stages

4. William Blake - innocence, experience, higher experience
Soren Kierkegaard - aesthetic, ethical, religious
William Perry - dualism (a,b), multiplicity (a,b), relativism
(a,b), commitment (a,b,c)
James Fowler - primal, mythical-literal, synthetic-
conventional, individual-reflective, conjunctive,
universalizing
Ken Blanchard - enthusiastic beginner, disillusioned learner,
capable but cautious performer, self-reliant achiever
Paul Ricouer - precritical/first naivete, critical, postcritical/
second naivete
Graves/Beck/Wilber - archaic-instinctive, animist/tribal, ego-
centric-exploitive, absolutist -obedience authoritarian,
scientific strategic, relativistic-personalistic -
communitarian; systemic-integral, holistic,

5. Four Stages
of Faith
Development

6. Stage 1

7. Stage 1
Simplicity

8. Stage 1

9. Stage 1
Simplicity
You’re either for us or against
us. It’s all or nothing.

10. Stage 1

11. Stage 1
Simplicity
Focus: Right or wrong? Good or
bad?
Motive: Pleasing authority
figures, being an insider “us”
Perception: Dualistic

12. Stage 1

13. Stage 1
Beliefs
-everything is known or
knowable; there are easy
answers to every question
-good authorities/us are the ones
who know the right answers
-the bad guys/them are wrong

14. Stage 1

15. Stage 1
Authorities
Godlike, God’s representatives,
they know and give answers

16. Stage 1

17. Stage 1
Simplicity
Life is a war.

18. Stage 1

19. Stage 1
Identity: In my leader or group.
Relationships: Dependent or co-
dependent

20. Stage 1

21. Stage 1
Simplicity
God is …
The Ultimate Authority Figure
or Ultimate Friend

22. Stage 1

23. Stage 1
Simplicity
STRENGTHS: highly committed,
willing to sacrifice and suffer.
WEAKNESSES: Also willing to
kill or inflict suffering. Arrogant,
simplistic, combative,
judgmental, intolerant

24. Stage 1

25. Stage 1
Simplicity
Connection through
awakening

26. Stage 2

27. Stage 2
Complexity

28. Stage 2

29. Stage 2
Complexity
There’s more than one way to
do things.

30. Stage 2

31. Stage 2
Complexity
Focus: Effective or ineffective?
Technique, winning, success
Motive: Reach goals, being
effective
Perception: Pragmatic

32. Stage 2

33. Stage 2
Beliefs:
-anything is doable
-there are many ways to reach
the goal
-authorities/us are the ones who
know how to do it
-the bad guys don’t do the right
stuff

34. Stage 2

35. Stage 2
Authorities
Coaches. They help you grow
and succeed with know-how.

36. Stage 2

37. Stage 2
Complexity
Life is a game.
Learn the rules.
Play to win.

38. Stage 2

39. Stage 2
Complexity
Identity: My cause or
achievement.
Relationships: Increasingly
independent.

40. Stage 2

41. Stage 2
Complexity
God is …
The Ultimate Guide or Coach

42. Stage 2

43. Stage 2
Complexity
STRENGTHS: Enthusiasm,
idealism, action
WEAKNESSES: Superficial,
naïve, overly pragmatic

44. Stage 2

45. Stage 2
Complexity
Connection through need

46. Stage 3

47. Stage 3
Perplexity

48. Stage 3

49. Stage 3
Perplexity
Everyone has an opinion. Who
knows who is right?

50. Stage 3

51. Stage 3
Perplexity
Focus: Honest or dishonest?
Authentic or inauthentic?
Motive: Being honest or
authentic
Perception: Relativistic, critical

52. Stage 3

53. Stage 3
Beliefs
-little/nothing is known or
knowable; everybody has an
opinion
-good people are honest about
their questions

54. Stage 3

55. Stage 3
Authorities are ...
Controllers
The Enemy
Trying to impose easy answers
on the naïve
Trying to use the naive

56. Stage 3

57. Stage 3
Perplexity
Life is …
a joke
mystery
or search

58. Stage 3

59. Stage 3
Identity: In solitude, or among a
small band of similarly alienated
friends
Relationships: Counter-
dependent

60. Stage 3

61. Stage 3
Perplexity
God is …
mythic authority I’ve outgrown
mysterious reality I’m seeking
or opiate of the pathetic
masses

62. Stage 3

63. Stage 3
Perplexity
STRENGTHS: depth, honesty,
sensitivity to suffering, perhaps
ironic humor
WEAKNESSES: cynical,
uncommitted, withdrawn,
critical, depressed, elitist

64. Stage 3

65. Stage 3
Perplexity
Connection through
unknowing

66. Stage 4

67. Stage 4
Humility/Harmony

68. Stage 4

69. Stage 4
Humility/Harmony
Seek first God’s kingdom … love
God, love neighbors … in
essentials unity … focus on a
few grand essentials

70. Stage 4

71. Stage 4
Humility/Harmony
Focus: Wise or unwise?
Fulfilling potential
Motive: Serve, contribute, make
a difference
Perception: Integrated,
synthesizing, sympathetic

72. Stage 4

73. Stage 4
Beliefs
-some things are known, many
are mysteries; life is a quest
-there is no “them”

74. Stage 4

75. Stage 4
Authorities
people like me
imperfect
sometimes doing their best,
sometimes dishonest,
sometimes sincerely misguided

76. Stage 4

77. Stage 4
Life is ...
What you make it (with God’s
help)

78. Stage 4

79. Stage 4
Identity: In mutual relationships
Relationships: Interdependent

80. Stage 4

81. Stage 4
God is ...
Knowable in part, yet
mysterious, present yet
transcendent, just yet merciful
(able to hold truths in tension --
“paradoxy”)

82. Stage 4

83. Stage 4
Humility/Harmony
STRENGTHS: May exhibit
strengths of previous stages,
plus stability, endurance,
wisdom
WEAKNESSES: May display
weaknesses of earlier stages

84. Stage 4

85. Stage 4
Humility/Harmony
connection through
affection

86. Stage 1

87. Stage 1
Simplicity

88. Stage 2

89. Stage 2
Complexity

90. Stage 3

91. Stage 3
Perplexity

92. Stage 4

93. Stage 4
Humility

94. William Blake - innocence, experience, higher experience
Soren Kierkegaard - aesthetic, ethical, religious
William Perry - dualism (a,b), multiplicity (a,b), relativism
(a,b), commitment (a,b,c)
James Fowler - primal, mythical-literal, synthetic-
conventional, individual-reflective, conjunctive,
universalizing
Ken Blanchard - enthusiastic beginner, disillusioned learner,
capable but cautious performer, self-reliant achiever
Paul Ricouer - precritical/first naivete, critical, postcritical/
second naivete
Graves/Beck/Wilber - archaic-instinctive, animist/tribal, ego-
centric-exploitive, absolutist -obedience authoritarian,
scientific strategic, relativistic-personalistic -
communitarian; systemic-integral, holistic,

95. What happens after Stage 4?

96. What happens after Stage 4?
Harmony becomes the new
simplicity ...

97. What happens after Stage 4?

98. What happens after Stage 4?
Harmony becomes the new
simplicity ...

99. What happens after Stage 4?
Harmony becomes the new
simplicity ...
which encounters new
complexity ...

100. What happens after Stage 4?
Harmony becomes the new
simplicity ...
which encounters new
complexity ...
which enters new perplexity ...

101. What happens after Stage 4?
Harmony becomes the new
simplicity ...
which encounters new
complexity ...
which enters new perplexity ...
which discovers new harmony ...

102. What happens after Stage 4?

103. What happens after Stage 4?
Eventually ... one becomes less
aware of stages and struggle and
more away of learning and life.

104. An observation:

105. An observation:
Cults and “bad faith” or “toxic”
religion can be seen as groups
which require people to revert to a
Stage 1 status and stay there.

106. An observation:
Cults and “bad faith” or “toxic”
religion can be seen as groups
which require people to revert to a
Stage 1 status and stay there.
Stage 1 is easier for the leaders
and followers … in a way.

107. An observation:

108. An observation:
Whole denominations or
parachurch organizations seem to
specialize in certain stages, and
fail people in other stages.

109. An observation:

110. An observation:
Leaders seldom (never?) lead
people in a stage beyond their own.

111. An observation:
Leaders seldom (never?) lead
people in a stage beyond their own.
1’s lead 1’s.

112. An observation:
Leaders seldom (never?) lead
people in a stage beyond their own.
1’s lead 1’s.
2’s lead 2’s and 1’s.

113. An observation:
Leaders seldom (never?) lead
people in a stage beyond their own.
1’s lead 1’s.
2’s lead 2’s and 1’s.
3’s lead 3’s and 2’s.

114. An observation:
Leaders seldom (never?) lead
people in a stage beyond their own.
1’s lead 1’s.
2’s lead 2’s and 1’s.
3’s lead 3’s and 2’s.
4’s lead 4’s and 3’s (plus?)

115. An observation:

116. An observation:
Stage 3 is tough on everybody --
leaders and followers.

117. A question:

118. A question:
How do we minister to people with
such contrary expectations, needs,
issues, and desires?

119. A question:
How do we minister to people with
such contrary expectations, needs,
issues, and desires?
A direction:

120. A question:
How do we minister to people with
such contrary expectations, needs,
issues, and desires?
A direction:
Explore Jesus as teacher … not just
in content, but also in method.

121. An observation:

122. An observation:
Jesus models working with people
in each stage, and always brings
them farther on the journey.

123. An important reminder

124. An important reminder
The goal isn’t to rush through the
stages to get to 4 as soon as
possible.

125. An important reminder
The goal isn’t to rush through the
stages to get to 4 as soon as
possible.
Each stage has lessons to teach,
and prepares for the next.

126. An important reminder
The goal isn’t to rush through the
stages to get to 4 as soon as
possible.
Each stage has lessons to teach,
and prepares for the next.
You don’t move on until you’re
ready ... in the fullness of time.

128. We need churches and ministries
that help people at all levels ...

129. We need churches and ministries
that help people at all levels ...

130. disciple Dis*ci"ple, n. [OE. disciple, deciple,
OF. disciple, fr. L. discipulus, fr. discere to
learn (akin to docere to teach; see Docile) +
prob. a root meaning to turn or drive, as in L.
pellere to drive (see Pulse).] One who
receives instruction from another; a scholar;
a learner; especially, a follower who has
learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine
of his teacher; an adherent in doctrine; as,
the disciples of Plato; the disciples of our
Savior

131. Transitions
are tough:
Doubt
occurs at
margins.

133. The 0 - 1 transition:

134. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity

136. The 0 - 1 transition:

137. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity

138. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:

139. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity

141. The 0 - 1 transition:

142. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity

143. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:

144. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity

145. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:

146. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:
Complexity to Perplexity

148. The 0 - 1 transition:

149. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity

150. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:

151. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity

152. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:

153. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:
Complexity to Perplexity

154. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:
Complexity to Perplexity
The 3 - 4 transition:

155. The 0 - 1 transition:
Egocentricity to Simplicity
The 1 - 2 transition:
Simplicity to Complexity
The 2 - 3 transition:
Complexity to Perplexity
The 3 - 4 transition:
Perplexity to Harmony

157. The 4 - 4+ transition:

158. The 4 - 4+ transition:
From living it to helping others live it

163. stage zero
before the 4 stages

164. Stage 0

165. Stage 0
Egocentricity

166. Stage 0

167. Stage 0
Egocentricity
It’s all about me.

168. Stage 0

169. Stage 0
Egocentricity
Focus: Like or dislike? Fun or not?
Motive: Pleasing & comforting
myself
Perception: Narcissistic

170. Stage 0

171. Stage 0
Beliefs
-I would be constantly happy if
everyone would cooperate
-authorities exist to make me feel
good
-bad people make me feel bad

172. Stage 0

173. Stage 0
Authorities
Exist for my benefit, serve my
entitlement, are genii-like.

174. Stage 0

175. Stage 0
Egocentricity
Life is play.

176. Stage 0

177. Stage 0
Identity: In my likes and dislikes.
Relationships: Presumptive

178. Stage 0

179. Stage 0
Egocentricity
God is …
The Candyman, the Genii, the
Magic Lamp

180. Stage 0

181. Stage 0
Egocentricity
STRENGTHS: emotionally
expressive, transparent, aware of
own needs and desires.
WEAKNESSES: Largely oblivious
to the needs and desires of others

182. Stage 0

183. Stage 0
Egocentricity
Connection through need.

185. Stages and States

187. How does awareness of Stage 0
change the way we think about
Stage 1?

188. How does _______ look from each
stage?

189. How does _______ look from each
stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

190. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?

191. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

192. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?

193. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

194. From selfish to true self

195. From selfish to true self
0. Egocentricity - One
1. Simplicity - Two
2. Complexity - Three or more
3. Perplexity - Fractions
4. Harmony - One (again, but new)

196. Text
faith in
four stages

197. How does _______ look from each
stage?

198. How does _______ look from each
stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

199. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?

200. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

201. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?

202. What does a student/learner need
in each stage?
1. Simplicity - answers, reassurance,
hints, predictions, warnings
2. Complexity - instructions,
encouragement, goals, promise
3. Perplexity - guiding questions,
permission, stories, hope
4. Harmony - respect, friendship, new
challenges to action

203. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?

204. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?
1. Simplicity
2. Complexity
3. Perplexity
4. Harmony

205. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?

206. What does a teacher want to give
in each stage?
1. Simplicity - what to think
2. Complexity - how to think
3. Perplexity - how to question
4. Harmony - how to embrace

207. From selfish to true self

208. From selfish to true self
0. Egocentricity - One
1. Simplicity - Two
2. Complexity - Three or more
3. Perplexity - Fractions
4. Harmony - One (again, but new)

209. Faith in Four Stages
Text

210. Sea anemones at 88 feet, natural light

211. Same sea anemones at 88 feet, with full spectrum light

212. What you see depends on
your available light.
Your available light depends on
your depth or stage of ascent.

213. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God... In him was life, and the life was the light of all
humankind... The true light that gives life to all humanity was
coming into the world.
The Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among us.
John 1 (selected)

215. Is this normal?
What should I expect next?
Are we there yet?
Will this be on the test?
Why do I need to learn this?

216. stages
levels
zones
turnings

219. Stage 1

220. Stage 1
Simplicity

222. here

224. here:
the practice of
presence

226. I am here. You are
here. We are here
together.
Here. Now.

228. What postures
might help us
practice here?

230. here

232. thanks

234. thanks:
the practice of
gratitude

236. dayenu
a gift
for this, this, this

238. five senses
memories
worries
losses

240. thanks:

242. O!

244. O!
the practice of
wonder

246. there is more
hallelujah
how ...

248. O!

249. Stage 1

250. Stage 1
Simplicity

251. I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be
with you forever... If anyone loves me, he will obey may teaching.
And my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make
our home with him.
Abide (dwell) in my love.
(John 14-15, selected)

253. Stage 1

254. Stage 1
Simplicity

256. here
thanks
o

258. why naked spirituality?
what does “spiritual” mean?

260. 1. Secular science, politics,
economics, etc., doesn’t have
all the answers.

262. 1. Secular science, politics, economics,
etc., doesn’t have all the answers.
2. Neither does
“organized religion.”

264. 1. Secular science, politics, economics,
etc., doesn’t have all the answers.
2. Neither does “organized religion.”
3. This life (not just an
afterlife) is spiritual.

266. 1. Secular science, politics, economics,
etc., doesn’t have all the answers.
2. Neither does “organized religion.”
3. This life (not just an afterlife) is
spiritual.
4. Practice leads to
personal experience ...

268. Can our churches
actually help people
experience God?

269. Stage 2

270. Stage 2
Complexity

272. sorry

274. sorry:
the practice of
regret

276. I regret ...
I was wrong ...
I agree ...

278. What postures
might help
express regret?

280. sorry

282. help!

284. help!
the practice of
expansion

286. weakness
limitation
failure
breakdown

288. need request
wisdom
strength
humility
peace
resilience

290. help!

292. please!

294. please!
the practice of
compassion

296. joining God in
seeing
caring
feeling
desiring

298. not
ignoring
blaming
explaining
diagnosing

300. what posture or
motion might help
us “hold”
compassion?

302. please!

303. Space 2

304. Space 2
Complexity

306. Space 1

307. Space 1
Simplicity

308. Space 2

309. Space 2
Complexity

310. Space 3

311. Space 3
Perplexity/Surviving

313. when?

315. when?
the practice of
aspiration/
exasperation/
frustration

317. naming what
you’re waiting for,
what you’re
enduring,
what you miss.

319. holding your
“vacuum” open to
God.

321. when?

323. no!

325. no!
the practice of
refusal

327. I won’t
settle
give up
pretend it’s OK

329. no

331. why?

333. why?
the practice of
lament

335. not demanding an
answer -
but
acknowledging
i have no answers

337. My God, my God, why
have you forsaken me?
(Mark, Matthew)
I thirst.
(John)

338. Space 3

339. Space 3
Perplexity/Surviving

344. Text
here in this place:
a wild (natural, undomesticated) place

345. Space 1

346. Space 1
Simplicity

347. Space 2

348. Space 2
Complexity

349. Space 3

350. Space 3
Perplexity/Surviving

351. Space 4

352. Space 4
Harmony/Deepening

354. behold

356. behold:
the practice of
seeing

358. U

359. U
letting
go

360. go
U
letting letting
come

362. what is reality
trying to show
me?

364. behold

366. yes

368. yes:
the practice of
joining

370. surrender
yielding
presenting

372. “let it be
done to me
according to your
will.”

374. yes

376. [...]

378. [...]
the practice of
being with

380. a weaned child
a well-married
couple

382. [...]

383. Space 4

384. Space 4
Harmony/Deepening

386. Stage 1

387. Stage 1
Simplicity

388. Stage 2

389. Stage 2
Complexity

390. Stage 3

391. Stage 3
Perplexity

392. Stage 4

393. Stage 4
Harmony

394. SIMPLICITY

395. COMPLEXITY

396. PERPLEXITY

397. HARMONY

398. R
S
N
M Q
E
L D O
K
C
A F
B
J
G
H
T I P

399. R
S
W N
M Q
E
L D O
K
C
V A F
B
J
G
H
T I P
U

400. Here in this
place ... Here in
this space.
We are fed.