Adult Development in Christian Ministry

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Adult DevelopmentAdult Developmentin Christian Ministryin Christian Ministry

Sally Ann KlinglSally Ann Klingl

and Eric M. Larsonand Eric M. Larson

May 13, 2003May 13, 2003

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AgendaAgenda• IntroductionIntroduction• Part 1: Concepts of Adult DevelopmentPart 1: Concepts of Adult Development

– DiscussionDiscussion• Part 2:Implications for Church MinistryPart 2:Implications for Church Ministry

– DiscussionDiscussion• Part 3: Recommendations for Part 3: Recommendations for

Programming and DevelopmentProgramming and Development• Part 4: Actions for Growth FacilitatorsPart 4: Actions for Growth Facilitators• ConclusionConclusion

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Introducing “Psychology” Introducing “Psychology” and “Christian Ministry”and “Christian Ministry”

IntroductionIntroduction

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What is “Christian Ministry”?What is “Christian Ministry”?

• Various denominations have different Various denominations have different descriptions of the descriptions of the transformational process.transformational process.

• All take sin seriously, acknowledge the All take sin seriously, acknowledge the essential role of the Spirit, and recognize essential role of the Spirit, and recognize transformation as movement toward transformation as movement toward Christ-Christ-likenesslikeness and and union with Godunion with God

• Spiritual directors do not Spiritual directors do not causecause change, but change, but serve as “midwives” or “God’s usher”serve as “midwives” or “God’s usher”

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How did we get here?How did we get here?

• In applying psychological theories to In applying psychological theories to Christian Ministry, we need to examine Christian Ministry, we need to examine the framework under which “Christian the framework under which “Christian Ministry” operates.Ministry” operates.

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1. In The Beginning1. In The Beginning• God is the God is the sourcesource of life therefore he is also the source of life therefore he is also the source

of growth. (Genesis 2:7)of growth. (Genesis 2:7)• God created humans to be in God created humans to be in relationshiprelationship with Him with Him

and with each other (Genesis 2:18)and with each other (Genesis 2:18)• God is the boss (Genesis 2:15-17)God is the boss (Genesis 2:15-17)• Roles of God, Roles of PeopleRoles of God, Roles of People

– God’sGod’s role is source/provider, ours is dependency on the role is source/provider, ours is dependency on the source source

– God’s role is to be in control, ours is to yield to God’s God’s role is to be in control, ours is to yield to God’s control of the world and to control our self.control of the world and to control our self.

– God is the Judge of Life; We are to experience lifeGod is the Judge of Life; We are to experience life

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2. The Fall2. The Fall

• We became We became independentindependent from the from the source.source.

• We We lostlost our relationships. our relationships.• We We reversedreversed structure and order structure and order• (Genesis 3:1-24)(Genesis 3:1-24)

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3. Redemption3. Redemption

• Return to source (Matthew 5:3, 6:33)Return to source (Matthew 5:3, 6:33)• Return to relationship (Matthew 22:37-40)Return to relationship (Matthew 22:37-40)• Return to rolesReturn to roles• ““The application of the redemption is the The application of the redemption is the

process of growth itself: It is the returning process of growth itself: It is the returning of everything to its rightful, “righteous” of everything to its rightful, “righteous” place before God. That is why, in our view, place before God. That is why, in our view, to solve life’s problems and grow spiritually to solve life’s problems and grow spiritually are one and the same thing.”are one and the same thing.”

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Who are we?Who are we?

• Church describes us as a soul Church describes us as a soul (mind/will/emotions), spirit and body(mind/will/emotions), spirit and body

• Science describes us as psycho, Science describes us as psycho, spiritual, and somatic (physical) beings.spiritual, and somatic (physical) beings.

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Two similar views of one worldTwo similar views of one world

• Psychotherapists and spiritual directors Psychotherapists and spiritual directors deal with the same “inner world”, so deal with the same “inner world”, so they employ common tools.they employ common tools.

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Psychotherapists andPsychotherapists andSpiritual Directors BOTH…Spiritual Directors BOTH…

• Offer presence and attentivenessOffer presence and attentiveness• Seek to be emotionally aware and Seek to be emotionally aware and

accessibleaccessible• Think about what they are hearing and Think about what they are hearing and

make responses that are designed to helpmake responses that are designed to help• Employ techniques such as guided Employ techniques such as guided

meditation, re-framing one views an meditation, re-framing one views an experience, exploration of feelings, prayer, experience, exploration of feelings, prayer, discussion of dreams, or silence.discussion of dreams, or silence...

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Psychotherapists andPsychotherapists andSpiritual Directors BOTH…Spiritual Directors BOTH…

• Hear about common human problems of Hear about common human problems of life experienceslife experiences

• Attend to aspects of experience that are Attend to aspects of experience that are not fully consciousnot fully conscious

• Deal with the influence of one’s history on Deal with the influence of one’s history on one’s one’s inner lifeinner life

• Deal with the influence of one’s history on Deal with the influence of one’s history on one’s one’s outer behavior.outer behavior.

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Two similar views of one worldTwo similar views of one world

• Psychotherapists and spiritual directors Psychotherapists and spiritual directors deal with the same “inner world”, so deal with the same “inner world”, so they employ common tools.they employ common tools.

• Therefore, spiritual directors cannot Therefore, spiritual directors cannot afford to ignore psychology.afford to ignore psychology.

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The Christian View of The Christian View of PsychologyPsychology

• ““Psychology serves only to illuminate Psychology serves only to illuminate what is taught in the Scriptures.”what is taught in the Scriptures.”

• ““We do not see psychology and the We do not see psychology and the Bible as two equal disciplines that Bible as two equal disciplines that should be blended together. should be blended together. Psychology always bends the knee to Psychology always bends the knee to Scriptures.”Scriptures.”

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Two different views of one worldTwo different views of one world

PsychotherapistsPsychotherapists•Focus on and Focus on and approach the person approach the person alone, with empathyalone, with empathy•Seek to understand Seek to understand the inner world and the inner world and relieve impediments relieve impediments to further growthto further growth

Spiritual DirectorsSpiritual Directors•Attend as much to Attend as much to the the SpiritSpirit as they do to as they do to the personthe person•Help person attend Help person attend and respond to God and respond to God – “Healing of – “Healing of Meaning”Meaning”

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Two different views of one worldTwo different views of one world

PsychotherapyPsychotherapy•A meeting between A meeting between two humans in the two humans in the presence of God to presence of God to pursue a pursue a human goalhuman goal of of growthgrowth

Spiritual DirectionSpiritual Direction•A meeting between a A meeting between a person and God in person and God in the presence of the presence of another person for another person for the the divine goaldivine goal of of relationship with the relationship with the Divine.Divine.

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The Hope…The Hope…

• ““Spiritual direction offers us a Spiritual direction offers us a relationship of accountability relationship of accountability within which we can walk the within which we can walk the Christian path with another Christian path with another Christian.”Christian.”

~David G. Benner~David G. Benner

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Concepts of Adult Concepts of Adult DevelopmentDevelopment

Section OneSection One

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Stage TheoryStage Theory

• People move through life stagesPeople move through life stages– Erikson’s Stage 5 through 8 – Erikson’s Stage 5 through 8 – GrowthGrowth– Levinson’s Early- through Late- Levinson’s Early- through Late-

Adulthood – Adulthood – ChangeChange – Duvall’s Family Life Stages – Duvall’s Family Life Stages – RolesRoles

• Be sensitive to “off-cycle” individualsBe sensitive to “off-cycle” individuals

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Cohort IssuesCohort Issues

• People of the same age have had People of the same age have had similar experiences in the pastsimilar experiences in the past

• People of the same culture have similar People of the same culture have similar experiences to one-anotherexperiences to one-another

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Generational CycleGenerational Cycle

• Strauss & Howe’s generational cycleStrauss & Howe’s generational cycle– Silent Generation (1925-42)Silent Generation (1925-42)– Boomers (1943-60)Boomers (1943-60)– 13ers (1961-81)13ers (1961-81)– Millennial (1982-today)Millennial (1982-today)

• (Details at (Details at www.lifecourse.comwww.lifecourse.com))

http://www.lifecourse.com/

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• Hudson’s “Renewal Cycle”Hudson’s “Renewal Cycle”– Go For ItGo For It– DoldrumsDoldrums– CocooningCocooning– Getting ReadyGetting Ready

• Different people at different points Different people at different points need… different helpneed… different help

Renewal CycleRenewal Cycle

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Spiritual PassagesSpiritual Passages

• Note that an individual may be in Note that an individual may be in different stages (or portions of them) different stages (or portions of them) at the same time.at the same time.

• Groeschel studied and aggregated Groeschel studied and aggregated various theories into a “Theory of various theories into a “Theory of Fundamental Anxiety and Inner Fundamental Anxiety and Inner Peace”Peace”

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AwakeningAwakening

PurgativePurgative

WayWay(Integration)(Integration)

Illuminative Illuminative WayWay

(Enlightenment)(Enlightenment)

UnitiveUnitive

WayWay(Contemplation)(Contemplation)

FocusFocusMoral Moral

Integra-Integra-tiontion

Mature Mature faithfaith TrustTrust ZealZeal Presence Presence

of Godof God

QuietQuiet

----

EcstasyEcstasy

Trans-Trans-forming forming UnionUnion

ExperienceExperienceStruggle Struggle Temp-Temp-tationtation

TrialsTrials Dark-Dark-nessness

LightLight

JoyJoyPeacePeace Loss of Loss of

DefensesDefenses

PrayerPrayerPetitionPetition

MeditationMeditationContemplative Contemplative

MeditationMeditationSimple Simple

Contem-Contem-plationplation

Full Full UnionUnion

Passive Passive UnionUnion

Anxiety-Driven Need

Peace & Freedom

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AwakeningAwakening

PurgativePurgative

WayWay(Integration)(Integration)

Illuminative Illuminative WayWay

(Enlightenment)(Enlightenment)

UnitiveUnitive

WayWay(Contemplation)(Contemplation)

FocusFocusMoral Moral

Integra-Integra-tiontion

Mature Mature faithfaith TrustTrust ZealZeal Presence Presence

of Godof God

QuietQuiet

----

EcstasyEcstasy

Trans-Trans-forming forming UnionUnion

ExperienceExperienceStruggle Struggle Temp-Temp-tationtation

TrialsTrials Dark-Dark-nessness

LightLight

JoyJoyPeacePeace Loss of Loss of

DefensesDefenses

PrayerPrayerPetitionPetition

MeditationMeditationContemplative Contemplative

MeditationMeditationSimple Simple

Contem-Contem-plationplation

Full Full UnionUnion

Passive Passive UnionUnion

Anxiety-Driven Need

Peace & Freedom

“Dark Night of the Senses”

“Dark Night of the Spirit”

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Groeschel on the GospelsGroeschel on the Gospels

• Jesus’ formation and teaching of Jesus’ formation and teaching of disciplesdisciples

• Gospels trace spiritual developmentGospels trace spiritual development• Frequent failure… which is necessary.Frequent failure… which is necessary.• ““To develop means always to attempt To develop means always to attempt

what is a bit beyond one’s capacity”.what is a bit beyond one’s capacity”.

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Groeschel on EriksonGroeschel on Erikson

• Intimacy = stable, mutually supportive Intimacy = stable, mutually supportive relationshipsrelationships

• Isolation = a lack of those Isolation = a lack of those relationshipsrelationships

• Religion may help establish Religion may help establish relationships…relationships…

• Or may cause people to withdraw.Or may cause people to withdraw.

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Groeschel on LevinsonGroeschel on Levinson

• Midlife is a time of choice; that choice Midlife is a time of choice; that choice directs the rest of your life.directs the rest of your life.

• Religion and spirituality are matters of Religion and spirituality are matters of deliberation and choice.deliberation and choice.

• It’s not simply “psychodynamic need It’s not simply “psychodynamic need and drive”and drive”

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Middle-aged SpiritualityMiddle-aged Spirituality

• Psychologically, the mid-years are Psychologically, the mid-years are marked by the dominance of three marked by the dominance of three interwoven themes:interwoven themes:– personal power,personal power,– care,care,– and interiority.and interiority.

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• Personal PowerPersonal Power– Competence + experience = authorityCompetence + experience = authority– Desire responsibilityDesire responsibility– Willing to assume leadershipWilling to assume leadership– Ability to take controlAbility to take control– Social serviceSocial service

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• CareCare– Responsible for othersResponsible for others– ““Needs to be needed”Needs to be needed”– NurturanceNurturance– Altruism, unselfish serviceAltruism, unselfish service– ““Generous concern”Generous concern”

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• InteriorityInteriority– ““a movement within”a movement within”– Focus on inner needsFocus on inner needs– Frightening introversionFrightening introversion– Depression, or we-awakening?Depression, or we-awakening?

• Some consider Interiority the “Dark Some consider Interiority the “Dark night of the Senses”night of the Senses”

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Integrated “Faith Integrated “Faith Development”Development”

• Fowler’s integration of various Fowler’s integration of various theoriestheories– Synthetic-Conventional FaithSynthetic-Conventional Faith– Individuative-Reflective FaithIndividuative-Reflective Faith– Conjunctive FaithConjunctive Faith– Universalizing FaithUniversalizing Faith

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Fowler’s InfluencesFowler’s InfluencesGeneral StageGeneral Stage Loevinger’s Ego Loevinger’s Ego

Development Development StagesStages

Maslow’s Maslow’s Needs Needs HierarchyHierarchy

Kohlberg’s Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Stages of Moral DevelopmentDevelopment

Fowler’s Fowler’s Stages of Stages of FaithFaith

Conformist or Conformist or culture-boundculture-bound

Conformist, self-Conformist, self-awareaware

BelongingnesBelongingness and love s and love needsneeds

Conventional Conventional moralitymorality

Synthetic-Synthetic-conventionalconventional

IndividualityIndividuality Conscientiousness, Conscientiousness, individualisticindividualistic

Self-esteem Self-esteem needsneeds

First stage of First stage of principled morality principled morality (Stage 5)(Stage 5)

Individuative-Individuative-reflectivereflective

IntegrationIntegration Autonomous and Autonomous and integratedintegrated

Self-Self-actualizedactualized

Universal ethical Universal ethical principles (Stage 6)principles (Stage 6)

ConjunctiveConjunctive

Self-Self-transcendencetranscendence

____________________ Some peak Some peak experiencesexperiences

Ethics based on Ethics based on unity (Stage 7)unity (Stage 7)

UniversalizingUniversalizing

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The Journey of Growth…The Journey of Growth…

• Something – some sort of event – Something – some sort of event – usually moves a person from one point usually moves a person from one point to another.to another.

• Often, this “trigger” is something Often, this “trigger” is something unpleasant.unpleasant.

• (Christian Ministry refers to (Christian Ministry refers to “unpleasant triggers” as trials or “unpleasant triggers” as trials or sufferingsuffering.).)

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Stress and Spiritual DevelopmentStress and Spiritual Development

• High-stress life events are associated with a High-stress life events are associated with a universalistic spiritual orientation.universalistic spiritual orientation.

• ““Crisis conditions” promote examination Crisis conditions” promote examination and revision of beliefsand revision of beliefs

• Terminal illness > loss of control > Terminal illness > loss of control > spiritual encounterspiritual encounter

• Trauma > Internal chaos > despairTrauma > Internal chaos > despair• Despair stimulates search for expanded Despair stimulates search for expanded

self-concept > spiritual developmentself-concept > spiritual development

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DiscussionDiscussion

• Do you identify with any “stages”... Do you identify with any “stages”... – Personally?Personally?– In ministry?In ministry?

• Is there a “best stage” of life? Or Is there a “best stage” of life? Or faithfaith??– If so, what is it?If so, what is it?

• Can you point to a catalyst or “trigger” Can you point to a catalyst or “trigger” for your spiritual growth?for your spiritual growth?

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Implications for Church Implications for Church MinistryMinistry

Section TwoSection Two

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Essential ElementsEssential Elements

• According to Cloud and Townsend, According to Cloud and Townsend, allall growth is spiritual growth. growth is spiritual growth.

• ““Spiritual Growth” is fostered or Spiritual Growth” is fostered or inhibited by several key concepts: inhibited by several key concepts: Grace, Truth, Suffering, Attachment, Grace, Truth, Suffering, Attachment, IsolationIsolation

• The goal is: The goal is: MaturityMaturity

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GraceGrace

• Unmerited favorUnmerited favor• More than “forgiveness”More than “forgiveness”• Growth isn’t “will power” or “self-Growth isn’t “will power” or “self-

effort”effort”• Eliminate emphasis on lawEliminate emphasis on law

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GraceGrace

• ““Poor in Spirit”Poor in Spirit”– ““In your work with people, you have to be a In your work with people, you have to be a

funeral director, showing them that they need funeral director, showing them that they need to die not only to the law, but also to to die not only to the law, but also to themselves. All of their efforts have not themselves. All of their efforts have not worked, and they need to die to trying. To get worked, and they need to die to trying. To get people to give up is very hard, but it must be people to give up is very hard, but it must be done so that they can try God instead.”done so that they can try God instead.”

• (Galatians 2:20)(Galatians 2:20)

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TruthTruth

• Confrontation is a toolConfrontation is a tool• Encouragement is Encouragement is notnot always the right always the right

choice!choice!• Actions have consequencesActions have consequences• ““Change agents” as “Failure agents”?Change agents” as “Failure agents”?

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SufferingSuffering

• Those who reach maturity understand Those who reach maturity understand sufferingsuffering

• Jesus did not avoid sufferingJesus did not avoid suffering• “… “… we share in his sufferings in order we share in his sufferings in order

that we may also share in his glory”that we may also share in his glory”

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AttachmentAttachment

• To God…To God…– ““Abide in me…” (John 15:4-5)Abide in me…” (John 15:4-5)

• To Others…To Others…– Members of one bodyMembers of one body

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IsolationIsolation

• Things in isolation deteriorateThings in isolation deteriorate– EntropyEntropy

• Severe punishment in prison is Severe punishment in prison is isolation from peopleisolation from people– Solitary ConfinementSolitary Confinement

• Isolation from GodIsolation from God– HellHell

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MaturityMaturity

• What is maturity?What is maturity?– Greek: “Completeness”Greek: “Completeness”– ““The state or quality of being fully The state or quality of being fully

grown or developed.”grown or developed.”

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MaturityMaturity

• Example: 1 John 2:12-14Example: 1 John 2:12-14– Stages have tasksStages have tasks– Young = intense gratitude, freedom of Young = intense gratitude, freedom of

forgivenessforgiveness– Maturing = encounter and fight evilMaturing = encounter and fight evil– Mature = Deeper knowledge, eternal Mature = Deeper knowledge, eternal

perspectiveperspective

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MaturityMaturity

““Spiritual growth is a stage-specific process. Spiritual growth is a stage-specific process. In other words, the Bible speaks of In other words, the Bible speaks of growth in identifiable steps that build on growth in identifiable steps that build on upon the other. As one is completed, we upon the other. As one is completed, we move on to the next, just as a plant move on to the next, just as a plant moves from seedling to shoot to maturity.”moves from seedling to shoot to maturity.”

~ Cloud & Townsend~ Cloud & Townsend

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MaturityMaturity

• Spiritual Development and Maturity is a Spiritual Development and Maturity is a prominent biblical theme:prominent biblical theme:– 1 Corinthians 13:111 Corinthians 13:11– Hebrews 6:1-3Hebrews 6:1-3– 22ndnd Corinthians 3:18 Corinthians 3:18– Ephesians 4:13Ephesians 4:13– Luke 6:3Luke 6:3– Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14

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Major ImplicationsMajor Implications

• One service/class/program does not One service/class/program does not fit allfit all

• Adapting ministry for different cohortsAdapting ministry for different cohorts– post-modern generationpost-modern generation– elderly (limited mobility)elderly (limited mobility)

• Small Groups: “Until people get real, Small Groups: “Until people get real, they will not grow”they will not grow”

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Major ImplicationsMajor Implications

• Assimilation into new “church family”Assimilation into new “church family”– How does a “life cycle” or series of How does a “life cycle” or series of

stages “start over” in the life of a new stages “start over” in the life of a new Christian?Christian?

– How do you address the challenge of How do you address the challenge of being “off-cycle”; e.g. mature in age yet being “off-cycle”; e.g. mature in age yet brand new to Christianity?brand new to Christianity?

– ““Milk” vs. “Solid Food”Milk” vs. “Solid Food”

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Different people, different Different people, different needs… different roles.needs… different roles.

• Ephesians 4:11-13:Ephesians 4:11-13:– ““It was he who gave some to be apostles, It was he who gave some to be apostles,

some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach we all reach unity in the faithunity in the faith and in the and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”fullness of Christ.”

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Discussion…Discussion…

• How have the elements of Grace, Truth, How have the elements of Grace, Truth, Suffering, Attachment, Isolation and Suffering, Attachment, Isolation and Maturity affected you? Others?Maturity affected you? Others?

• How can your ministry build unity when How can your ministry build unity when everyone is in a different stage of…everyone is in a different stage of…– Life?Life?– Spiritual maturity?Spiritual maturity?– Emotional experience?Emotional experience?

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Recommendations for Recommendations for Programming and Programming and

DevelopmentDevelopment

Section ThreeSection Three

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Some practical suggestions…Some practical suggestions…

• Create a class where people can figure Create a class where people can figure out what their passions are.out what their passions are.

• Categorize the passions and let people Categorize the passions and let people develop the framework for the others.develop the framework for the others.

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• Maintain a “sabbatical of church Maintain a “sabbatical of church ministry”; let your leaders take every ministry”; let your leaders take every seventh week/month/year off from seventh week/month/year off from their ministry.their ministry.

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• Build, respect and honor “cocooning Build, respect and honor “cocooning opportunities” – retreats, and not opportunities” – retreats, and not necessarily action-packed ones.necessarily action-packed ones.

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• Protect your “spiritual development Protect your “spiritual development ministry” from one kind/age of person ministry” from one kind/age of person usurping the leadershipusurping the leadership

• Otherwise, the needs of people in Otherwise, the needs of people in other stages might not be addressed.other stages might not be addressed.

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• Cultivate intergenerational groups so Cultivate intergenerational groups so older people can mentor the younger older people can mentor the younger people;people;

• This is biblical and addresses the felt This is biblical and addresses the felt needs of the older to assist and mentor needs of the older to assist and mentor others.others.

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Actions forActions forGrowth FacilitatorsGrowth Facilitators

Section FourSection Four

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Decide…Decide…

• how you are going to communicate the how you are going to communicate the foundational doctrines behind spiritual growth foundational doctrines behind spiritual growth and how you are going to implement that and how you are going to implement that understanding into your growth environment.understanding into your growth environment.

• what standards, confrontation, and reality are what standards, confrontation, and reality are appropriate for the various settings you are appropriate for the various settings you are facilitating and make sure they are available. facilitating and make sure they are available. Make sure they are communicated with grace.Make sure they are communicated with grace.

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Examine…Examine…

• where your “growers” are. Take a where your “growers” are. Take a specific inventory, if appropriate, of specific inventory, if appropriate, of where people find themselves in the where people find themselves in the stages/models of growth and how stages/models of growth and how familiar they are with doctrines and familiar they are with doctrines and growth topics.growth topics.

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Examine…Examine…

• the specifics of your ministry to see if all the specifics of your ministry to see if all the elements of “the big picture” are the elements of “the big picture” are included in your teaching, small groups, included in your teaching, small groups, and other experiences of growth. and other experiences of growth.

• your group or ministry and ask, “how your group or ministry and ask, “how much do I allow the body to deliver God’s much do I allow the body to deliver God’s goodness to others? goodness to others?

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Confront…Confront…

• avoiding the need for acceptanceavoiding the need for acceptance• hiding from confessionhiding from confession• a condemning, non-accepting stance with a condemning, non-accepting stance with

others who need acceptanceothers who need acceptance• judgment (aggressively) judgment (aggressively) • hiding from gracehiding from grace• emotional unavailabilityemotional unavailability• unhealthy, repetitive patternsunhealthy, repetitive patterns

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Encourage…Encourage…

• being real with God and othersbeing real with God and others• repentancerepentance• openness and honestyopenness and honesty

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Create an environment where…Create an environment where…

• people can safely own sin, badness and people can safely own sin, badness and immaturity without losing acceptance. immaturity without losing acceptance.

• people can confess and feel safepeople can confess and feel safe• suffering and imperfection are part of suffering and imperfection are part of

the culturethe culture• there is openness to entering into good there is openness to entering into good

pain pain

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Provide experiences, contexts,Provide experiences, contexts,and activities for…and activities for…

• connection to the body to be realized.connection to the body to be realized.• discipleshipdiscipleship• Promoting confession and safetyPromoting confession and safety• the discipline of learning the scriptures the discipline of learning the scriptures

based on grace not performancebased on grace not performance• taking a deeper look at oneself and taking a deeper look at oneself and

discovering where change is neededdiscovering where change is needed

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Teach, Present, Communicate…Teach, Present, Communicate…

• God is for them and not against themGod is for them and not against them• the need for grace and not the lawthe need for grace and not the law• it is a good thing to get to the end of oneselfit is a good thing to get to the end of oneself• no one can earn or provide for oneself what one no one can earn or provide for oneself what one

needs to grow.needs to grow.• the importance of being connected to the bodythe importance of being connected to the body• ““total victory all the time” hinders people’s total victory all the time” hinders people’s

ability to be honest ability to be honest

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Teach, Present, Communicate…Teach, Present, Communicate…

• the difference between acceptance and the difference between acceptance and approvalapproval

• the difference between guilt and godly the difference between guilt and godly sorrowsorrow

• that righteous living and a successful life that righteous living and a successful life and relationships are one in the sameand relationships are one in the same

• discipline as being a form of love & growth discipline as being a form of love & growth from God, not meaningless pain from God, not meaningless pain /punishment/punishment

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Measuring DevelopmentMeasuring Development

ConclusionConclusion

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Signs of ProgressSigns of Progress

• Progress in Spiritual Development can be Progress in Spiritual Development can be measured by “Fruits of the Spirit”measured by “Fruits of the Spirit”

• ““The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a) (Galatians 5:22-23a)

• ““You should see better relationships, You should see better relationships, emotional experiences, and connectedness emotional experiences, and connectedness to God”to God”

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““The time we spend in the The time we spend in the growth path will bear growth path will bear fruit in a changed life.”fruit in a changed life.”

~ Cloud & Townsend~ Cloud & Townsend

Education

Adult Development in Christian Ministry