11-14-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 14, 2025
James Fowler is still considered the guru of faith development, even though he died ten years ago. He was a professor at Emory University in Atlanta. For Fowler, there were six stages in faith development, plus a “pre-stage,” which is birth to two years old. In that pre-stage, children are learning trust, love, and hope—ideas that will be central to the development that will follow. Though there are six stages, a significant number of Christians never make it past stage three, the stage usually associated with the mid to late teen years. In this third stage, people begin to think abstractly, often branching beyond the immediate family for faith development, giving a few others permission to shape their thinking. Yet those who are given authority continue to be a part of a very narrow circle, usually reflecting the same values and beliefs as the family. Self-reflection remains a work in progress, and though people may claim a faith of their own, in this third stage, they mostly accept the faith handed to them without much critical thinking. 

Some people might think my analysis comes off a bit judgmental, but my judgment is mostly of the church that, in many settings, is pleased to keep people at stage three where authority and the systemic structure are rarely questioned. Many churches, in my opinion, use very manipulative practices to maintain a stage three existence. Yet I can’t imagine being a part of a church where everyone holds the exact same beliefs as I do. I don’t even hold the same beliefs week-to-week. There have been moments when people have sent me notes expressing complete disagreement with a sermon I preached. This is not only okay, but encouraged… especially if people are willing to engage from a Biblical and theological perspective. The Jewish Rabbis considered it faithful when disagreements led to discussion which guided people into new ways of thinking. Jesus was often referred to as a Rabbi. I think Jesus is pushing all of us beyond stage three.

Though there is much my family and close friends have taught me about faith and love and you, O Gracious God, I ask for your Spirit to push me into settings where I am challenged by new ways of thinking about a life lived faithfully in the ways of Jesus. Amen.