B. Developmental spirituality could be described as having five basic stages correlating to human development: newborns, children, adolescents, parents and grandparents.[1] The goal of developmental spirituality is to fulfill each stage properly and move the individual onward to full developmental spiritual maturity.
C. Problems occur when a person becomes stuck at one stage (arrested development) or is forced prematurely to the next stage (codependency). Churches can become imbalanced such that the majority of ministry is focused on meeting needs at one stage rather than ensuring a steady flow of persons through all of the stages. Cell churches believe this goal can be achieved in one year. The three year ministry of Jesus described in the Gospels produced several generations of disciples.
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
[1]This simple five level maturation process can be made more complex by adding psychological and biological data to the process. Cf.John P. Nunley, “The Developmental Psychology of Erik Erikson,”
2005 OnLine Study Guide for Introductory Psychology, http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/mathsci/anth/p101 /dvlmentl/erikson.htm (accessed June 15, 2007).