Preteens exist in a unique world.
They’re quickly growing out of their childhood without being fully aware of where each step ahead of them will lead. As their bodies and minds grow and develop and change, so does their faith. Developmental Psychologist James Fowler proposes different stages of faith.
With work closely related to psychologists such as Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg, Fowler’s unique approach plots out the natural and necessary stages an individuals faith moves through as they grow, develop, and change. Preteens often fall within stages 2 and 3 (Mythic-Literal faith and Synthetic-Conventional faith). However, in order to create the best environments and resources for preteens to develop and deepen their faith, we must understand the larger flow of faith development.
Stage 1 is “Intuitive-Projective” faith, often falling between ages three to seven. This stage is a fantasy-filled, imitative phase in which the child can be powerfully and permanently influenced by examples, moods, actions and stories of the visible faith of primally related adults.
Stage 2 is “Mythic-Literal” faith, found mostly in school children. Individuals in stage two have a strong belief in justice with a clear understanding of right and wrong. Their image of God is almost always anthropomorphic. (Though the song White Man by Gungor does an excellent job at helping counter this!)
Stage 3 is “Synthetic-Conventional” faith, often arising in adolescence. This stage is characterized by conformity where one persons thoughts and actions are often the mirrored result of another’s. (Welcome to junior high.)
Stage 4 is “Individuative-Reflective” faith, usually found within one’s mid-twenties to late thirties. This is a stage of angst and struggle where the indivual takes personal responsibility for their beliefs and feelings.
Stage 5 is “Conjunctive” faith, commonly referred to as a “mid-life crisis.” This stage acknowledges paradox and transcendence relating reality behind the symbols of inherited systems.
Stage 6 is “Universalizing” faith, often unachieved by many but referred to by others as “enlightenment” or “understanding.” These movements are natural and healthy. Every one of us can find ourselves somewhere on this faith spectrum, always growing and developing and changing.
As we (and our students) interact with life we are often faced with the choice to accommodate or assimilate experiences with our faith. And as preteen ministry pastors and leaders, our responsibility is to provide environments and resources to make this growth and assimilation possible. You can read more about Fowler’s stages of faith online by doing a simple google search. Enjoy.
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