Pastors and Christian ministry leaders can strategically tap into the extensive contemporary empirical research into spiritual resiliency and struggle to forge a framework to further member care and formation. Specifically, six patterns of faith-diminishing spiritual struggle have been identified (Divine; Demonic, Moral imperfection, Interpersonal, Doubt, and Ultimate Meaning). Given the pluralistic assumptions of this research, a translation into Christian worldview is offered. Assessment techniques for Christian ministry leaders to discern these disorienting inner cycles are coupled with recommendations to guide the helping partnership and its formative dialogue.
