The Critical Journey with Dr. Jim Reiter | Ep 98

What is The Critical Journey, and why does it matter for deep discipleship?In Episode 98, Brian talks with Dr. Jim Reiter about The Critical Journey, the well-known spiritual formation framework developed by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich. The book describes six stages in the life of faith, including awakening to God, learning the faith, productive service, the inward journey, the outward journey, and the life of love.Brian and Jim explore why many churches are well equipped for the first three stages of faith but often struggle to guide people through Stages 4, 5, and 6. Those later stages tend to involve the Wall, doubt, disillusionment, deconstruction, deeper self-awareness, and a more personal encounter with God. They are often messy, slow, and difficult to manage inside church systems built around programs, sermons, volunteers, and institutional growth.The conversation also explores spiritual direction, the rise of the “dones,” the difference between franchise thinking and Kingdom thinking, and why the Great Omission may be connected to a reduced vision of the church. Dr. Jim Reiter offers a hopeful but challenging vision: perhaps the Spirit is stirring new forms of formation, companionship, and community for people who know there must be more to life with God.Connect with Dr. Reiter at https://zoe-life.net/. Join us online! Web: ⁠⁠https://soilandroots.org⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠ https://soilandroots.substack.com/