The Critical Journey

Stages in the Life of Faith

The Critical Journey (Second Edition) 

By Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich

Publisher – Sheffield Publishing Company.

Reviewed by Suzanne Collins

Janet O. Hagberg is an author, public speaker, counsellor and social advocate. She has written seven books and is currently the Executive Director of The Silent Witness Initiative – which has a goal to eliminate domestic violent homicides. She wrote a new edition of The Critical Journey more than 10 years after Robert Guelichs’ death, with whom she co-authored the original work.

The Critical Journey is a description of the spiritual journey – our response to our faith in God with the resulting changes that follow. As the title suggests, it recognises that we “journey” or “go on” or “progress” or “grow” in faith and in God through our life – in fact, it’s purpose is to help us keep moving forward in our journey. The book does not reveal exactly how or when we need to move along in our personal pilgrimages, nor does it offer formulas for spiritual growth. Rather, it describes six phases of the spiritual journey and illustrates how people act and think in these stages.

Stage 1. The Recognistion of God

Stage 2. The Life of Discipleship

Stage 3. The Productive Life 

Stage 4. The Journey Inward

Stage 5. The Journey Outward

Stage 6. The Life of Love

This second edition includes a chapter titled, “the Wall”. Most chapters end with a summary and exercises that can be used in the readers personal life or ministry. On Janet’s web site, www.janethagberg.com, there are  plans for a seminar using this material and several copies of different PowerPoint presentations to assist as well.  Janet has also developed a self-scoring inventory, called the Spiritual Life Inventory, to accompany this book.

The Critical journey has helped me to see the journey of faith that we are on and the different stages that we go through, but on a deeper level, as we let go and allow ourselves to grow. The clarity and the way that these stages have been presented are a wonderful way to describe our personal journey.

I have loved reading about the ‘Wall’ – probably because at the time of reading this book I saw  myself there. This is the place of healing and transformation. I love this thought ... “The Wall calls us to re-evaluate our image of God because in the Wall we encounter an endearing loving God.” I have gained from the personal testimonies of both authors, and personally, this is one book that I will reference time and time again for myself and strongly recommend to others. Please read and enjoy the journey of Faith – The Critical Journey.