Stages of Spiritual Development

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Stages of Spiritual Development

• Baron Von Hugel

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Three stages

• Infancy
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Each stage has predominant needs and activities
• Religion should acknowledge and provide for them
• Not mutually exclusive - overlap - with one
  dominant

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Infancy
Signs Symbols Music Architecture Pattern Liturgy S
tories of faith Simple morality
Security Guidance Physical ability Senses Nurture/
feeding
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Adolescence
Signs Symbols Music Architecture Pattern Liturgy S
tories of faith Simple morality
Security Guidance Physical ability Senses Nurture/
feeding
Adolescence Questioning/critical
capacity Exploration Search for
meaning Teaching/learning Critical Coherent
teaching Connecting faith experience Space to
explore discuss Teaching open to
exploration. Establishing personal morality
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Adulthood
Signs Symbols Music Architecture Pattern Liturgy S
tories of faith Simple morality
Security Guidance Physical ability Senses Nurture/
feeding
Adulthood Living with unanswered questions Inner
self./consciousness Attraction as well as
repulsion Mystical Teaching on inner
journey Acknowledgement of mystery Attraction/fear
of self God Space for reflection
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Considerations

• development in faith progresses at different
  rates
• movement to next stage is usually disconcerting
  and disorientating
• problems occur if one or two stages dominate to
  exclusion of others

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Points for pondering

• Where am I?
• Is there a dominant stage for my church?
• Are any stages excluded?
• What provision is there for each of the stages in
  the life of the church?
• What is there to help support those in transition?