Your Spiritual Journey at Pilgrim Church
At Pilgrim Church, spiritual growth means becoming more like Jesus—reflecting His character through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We envision a community shaped by these fruits of the Spirit and marked by classic virtues like humility, courage, selflessness, and compassion, and embodying hope and a non-anxious presence amidst chaotic and turbulent times.
We also recognize that spiritual growth is both lifelong and non-linear. The pathway below isn't a rigid hierarchy but an imaginative framework to help you recognize and engage with different dimensions of the faith journey. People often experience multiple stages simultaneously and revisit areas throughout their lives.
Stage 1: Awakening
Discovering the reality of God and responding to God's invitation.
Key Traits: Curiosity, spiritual hunger, openness to mystery, a sense of awe, and initial steps toward trust.
Next Steps:
Stage 2: Foundations
Building foundational beliefs and practices to sustain your faith.
Key Traits: Teachability, commitment, desire for clarity, forming spiritual rhythms, beginning to own one’s faith.
Next Steps:
Four Directions of Discipleship Courses
Activate your unique gifts to serve and lead.
Key Traits: Energy, purpose, generosity, a growing sense of responsibility and call to action, eagerness to contribute.
Next Steps:
Growing through challenges, doubt, de/reconstruction, or spiritual dryness (the dark night of the soul).
Key Traits: Honesty, disorientation, inner struggle, loss of certainty, deeper longing for God, detachment from performance-based faith.
Next Steps:
Living out an authentic faith that naturally influences others.
Key Traits: Deep compassion, non-anxious presence, relational wisdom, integration of belief and action, quiet confidence in God’s work.
Next Steps:
Stage 6: Legacy
Embodying a mature faith that inspires and guides generations.
Key Traits: Humility, spiritual authority, simplicity, deep trust in God, presence-centered leadership, love without agenda.
Next Steps:
Important Reminders:
Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich, The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith
For those who grew up Christian: James W. Fowler, Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning
For mystics: St. John of the Cross, The Ascent to Joy: Selected Writings of John of the Cross, ed. Marc Foley
Ready for your next step? Contact our pastoral team below—we'd love to journey alongside you.
At Pilgrim Church, spiritual growth means becoming more like Jesus—reflecting His character through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We envision a community shaped by these fruits of the Spirit and marked by classic virtues like humility, courage, selflessness, and compassion, and embodying hope and a non-anxious presence amidst chaotic and turbulent times.
We also recognize that spiritual growth is both lifelong and non-linear. The pathway below isn't a rigid hierarchy but an imaginative framework to help you recognize and engage with different dimensions of the faith journey. People often experience multiple stages simultaneously and revisit areas throughout their lives.
Stage 1: Awakening
Discovering the reality of God and responding to God's invitation.
Key Traits: Curiosity, spiritual hunger, openness to mystery, a sense of awe, and initial steps toward trust.
Next Steps:
- Sunday Worship: Join weekly gatherings to experience God through music, teaching, and community.
- Home Churches: Connect deeply with others, discuss faith questions openly, and find belonging.
- Alpha Course: Explore foundational Christian beliefs in an informal setting.
- Meet a Mentor: Schedule a conversation with pastoral staff or a mentor to discuss your spiritual journey.
Stage 2: Foundations
Building foundational beliefs and practices to sustain your faith.
Key Traits: Teachability, commitment, desire for clarity, forming spiritual rhythms, beginning to own one’s faith.
Next Steps:
Four Directions of Discipleship Courses
- Peace with God (Baptism Course): Understand salvation through the Apostle’s Creed and baptism.
- Peace with Self: Develop spiritual habits and practices rooted in your identity as God's image.
- Peace with Others: Learn biblical conflict resolution and relationship-building through the Lord’s Prayer.
- Peace with Creation: Explore how faith informs your stewardship of resources, the environment, and politics.
Activate your unique gifts to serve and lead.
Key Traits: Energy, purpose, generosity, a growing sense of responsibility and call to action, eagerness to contribute.
Next Steps:
- Gift Discovery: Identify your spiritual gifts and areas of passion.
- Join a Team: Hospitality, Kids Ministry, Worship/Production, Missions—find your place to serve.
- Become a Member: Commit to knowing and being known in a place through partnership with us.
- Leadership Opportunities: Lead a Home Church or participate in facilitating specialized courses like Alpha or the Four Directions.
Growing through challenges, doubt, de/reconstruction, or spiritual dryness (the dark night of the soul).
Key Traits: Honesty, disorientation, inner struggle, loss of certainty, deeper longing for God, detachment from performance-based faith.
Next Steps:
- Prayer Ministry: Receive personalized prayer and spiritual support. Practice centering prayer and the Examen.
- Sanctuary Course: Address mental health and spiritual wellness.
- Spiritual Direction & Counseling: Individual guidance to navigate complex spiritual seasons.
- Silence Retreats: Spend time in quiet contemplation with guidance from the mystics of the faith.
Living out an authentic faith that naturally influences others.
Key Traits: Deep compassion, non-anxious presence, relational wisdom, integration of belief and action, quiet confidence in God’s work.
Next Steps:
- Mentor Others: Invest in the growth of newer believers.
- Lead Special Courses or Projects: Facilitate meaningful conversations on faith and culture, vocation, the arts, stewardship, etc.
- Invest in Multiplication: Consider supporting or spearheading a church plant.
- Community Leadership: Influence church culture and neighbourhoods positively through leadership roles, preaching, or serving on the board.
Stage 6: Legacy
Embodying a mature faith that inspires and guides generations.
Key Traits: Humility, spiritual authority, simplicity, deep trust in God, presence-centered leadership, love without agenda.
Next Steps:
- Legacy Planning: Intentionally consider how your life will impact future generations after you pass on.
Important Reminders:
- Growth isn't always linear. Revisiting earlier stages is healthy and normal.
- Your cultural and personal contexts deeply matter in your spiritual journey.
- Move at your own pace—there is no timeline, only grace and invitation.
Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich, The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith
For those who grew up Christian: James W. Fowler, Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning
For mystics: St. John of the Cross, The Ascent to Joy: Selected Writings of John of the Cross, ed. Marc Foley
Ready for your next step? Contact our pastoral team below—we'd love to journey alongside you.