The Wall

I’ve been at the Wall lately. Maybe for the last couple of months or years. Who knows.

The Wall is stage five of seven stages on the Critical Journey.

Recognition of God: God humbles us
Life of Discipleship: God grounds us
Productive Life: God rewards and exalts us
Journey Forward: God unsettles us
The Wall: God unmasks us
Journey Outward: God transforms us
Life of Love: God transcends us

If you’re in stages 1-3 you’re not going to understand the Wall or even want to consider it as a future possibility. But for most leaders—Bobby Clinton says 95%—one day the Wall will become a reality. How you deal with it will determine how you finish as a leader.

I have a hunch I may have reached the turning point. Time will tell. I don’t mind any more. Once you’ve met Jesus at the Wall you’re not in as much a hurry to move on.

Need to know more? Here’s a great article by Bobby Clinton on Paul’s experience: Deep Processing. Rich Vincent has written a handy summary of the Critical Journey: Stages of Faith. Or you can buy the book.

“The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith” (Janet O. Hagberg, Robert A. Guelich)

Spiritual Formation

By: Steve | 07/01/07 | Steve's story | Trackback | Comments [RSS 2.0]

4 Responses to “The Wall” »»

Ethan Wiekamp

Comment by Ethan Wiekamp | 08/11/07 at 4:29 pm

Steve, I’m on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in Nebraska (USA) and I’ve been a faithful reader of your blog for a couple years now. Never really got around to leaving a reply until now. Just thought I’d drop a note to tell you that you do an excellent job on this site. I’ve referred several CCC staff, and the impact of your entries here are far-reaching. Our semantics are “Movement Launching” but it looks very similar to church planting – almost everything is applicable. Thanks for all the wisdom.

-Ethan
Steve

Comment by Steve | 08/11/07 at 8:26 pm

Ethan, thanks for the encouragement. I’ll be speaking at the Australian Crusade conference in September.