The Critical Journey, at its core, is a description of the spiritual journey—our response to our faith in God with the resulting changes that follow. Four completely new chapters, applying the six stages to areas of ministry, church, and personal life, have been added, as well as a section of questions and answers. Many new resources for teaching and group leadership are now available through the author’s web page. The Critical Journey, at its core, is a description of the spiritual journey—our response to our faith in God with the resulting changes that follow. In this book the authors address the following issues: the struggle to find meaning and wholeness, the crisis of values and identity at mid-life, the quest for self-actualization, the healing of early religious experiences, questions about the spiritual journey. The Critical Journey 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 while in these stages. This is an excellent guide for those who are wrestling with their faith and wondering how others have resolved their "dark nights of the soul."