Powers
the phase concerned with learning the basics of the faith/memorizing facts
indoctrination
visual used to show Westerhoff's philosophy of faith development
rings of a tree
one begins to accept the great opposites of life, where faith comes to grips with the tensions of being ethically responsible yet finite
conjunctive faith (stage 5)
person seeks to develop skills in using that which is being learnerd
application level
members find themselves operating apart from the influence of the leader
independence
the phase where there are inconsistencies between real life experiences and what has been taught - realization that choices have consequences
reality testing
second ring - a person begins to display the beliefs, values, and practices of the family group
affiliative faith
one is highly oriented toward the examples and expressions of parents or other significant adults
intuitive-projective faith
person can only recognize the existence of something
awareness level
the leader begins to lose hold of the group - providing freedom to explore, develop and create within guidelines
counter independence
the phase where there is an urgency to living and propagating the faith
active devotion
experienced faith
stage of faith where a synthesis of common elements in one's pattern of relationships and experiences is developed, and faith is a reflection of the various parts of one's environment and society.
synthetic-conventional faith (stage 3)
focuses on the development of attitudes and commitments regarding that which is learned
conviction level
group members look to the leader to get things started
dependence
the phase where things that worked well previously no longer apply
the final ring - forms as a person claims ownership of and responsibility for beliefs and practices
owned faith
person begins to take part in and adpot for oneself the stories, beliefs, and observances which are part of one's faith
mythic-literal faith (stage 2)
person can interpret and interact with what they are learning and begin to generalize the knowledge, so it is useful in other situations
understanding level
members being to think for themselves, speak openly, and direct conversation to each other rather than the leader
counter dependence
the phase where primary exposure to and awareness of the meaning of life is gathered from family and church
nurture
the third ring - one becomes aware that personal beliefs or experiences may no longer be exactly the same as those of the group
searching faith
the person assumes responsibility for his or her own personal commitments
individuative-reflective faith (stage 4)
enables a person to remember information or repeat actions
recall level
leadership becomes a function to be shared by all group members rather than invested in one person
interdependence