The Faithwalking Blog

Creating Wholeness with Our Families of Origin

This fall, Faithwalking will be offering its first open course, “Creating Wholeness with Our Families of Origin.” Below you can read and watch some of the testimonies of those who participated in the beta group for this class. For more information, click here.

Natalie

I was invited to be a part of the pilot of the Creating Wholeness with Our Families of Origin Faithwalking class at a unique point in my life. In general, everything was going well (far better than it was during Faithwalking 101, 201 and 202). And, really, I personally was doing far better than I’d ever been doing (thanks in large part to Faithwalking 101, 201 and 202). Frankly, things were going well enough that, while I knew I’d probably benefit from the class, I was dreading it – fearing that it’d be as intense as the other classes had been for me and would adversely impact my currently nice, calm life. But I’m so glad I went ahead with the class anyway! Little had I known when I was initially invited that, while participating in this pilot, my estranged mother would pass away and I’d get engaged. I’m so so grateful I had the space to process the many expected and unexpected facets of these two events with others who had been or were currently on similar journeys.

I can say lots of positive things about this class. For instance, it was so helpful to be with others who were in the Faithwalking “family,” who knew the language and the processes, and who were courageous and committed to doing this hard work, too. It was encouraging to be around others who had similar but different struggles with their parents and families of origin, to really know that I wasn’t alone and my experience wasn’t unique. And, more than anything, it was so helpful to have the space to process parent and family-of-origin issues at a deeper level – especially during these two major life events. This chance to go deeper into these issues, after having had the very helpful foundation of the earlier Faithwalking classes, was priceless. The work wasn’t any easier this time than it was in the former classes, since there’s always work to be done if we’re brave enough to keep pressing into it. BUT, it was quicker. Pieces came together faster. Truths were grasped more eagerly. Challenges and encouragements by Todd, the facilitator, were received more openly. And really, the kingdom vision of getting to live as the “fully alive Natalie” while also having a deep and rich relationship with my father was (and is) so alluring that the hard work, anxiety and discomfort were worth it. I’m not “there” yet (as in, that vision isn’t fully realized yet), but the hope of that vision is. And, this class was definitely a big catalyst in my allowing that hope to emerge and in believing that its eventual fulfillment is possible.

Angela

Throughout Faithwalking, I have been told that doing this work with your family of origin has the most impact. This course solidified that for me. I realize the importance of continuing to push into my family of origin to learn how to show up in a healthier way. This is impacting my relationships with my family of origin. This is impacting how I see myself and how I see them. I have found additional healing from the past. I have found freedom in that healing.

Hearing other people’s stories and doing this work alongside them is a really powerful experience. There is so much learning and it is encouraging to know you are not alone in hard family relationships. I don’t think this is the type of work that can be done alone. God used these other voices in my life to show me places of grief, disobedience, thankfulness, and truth.

This is hard work. My autopilot shows up the strongest with my family of origin. The intentionality of this course to dig into that stuff is allowing me to see my automatic reactions more quickly and has allowed me to make progress in changing those unhealthy reactions. I am not successful every time but have made progress.

The more I do this work, the more I see this is a lifelong journey. I would recommend this course as a powerful continuation of the Faithwalking work God has started in you.

Ryan

Listen:

Transition

2018 is a year of exciting transition for Faithwalking. The team is working hard to navigate this transition, and we are really excited about the possibilities before us and about our future. Below is a summary of some of the changes on the horizon and ways you can help us accomplish our vision.

Beyond the transition of leadership we face as Faithwalking founder Jim Herrington has stepped down from active leadership in the organization, we are currently engaged in making large strides toward becoming a vision-centered organization rather than a leader-centered organization. We recognize this is a normal process in healthy organizations.

Expanding the reach and impact of Faithwalking is the second task at hand for us. We have reenvisioned our strategy of empowering Faithwalking Circles to use the Core Four to continue to expand the Faithwalking “movement” that is our legacy. This is really exciting, as we hope that this revamped strategy will align more clearly with our core value of being missional in the world and reaching those who are poor, marginalized, and in need.

On the other side, the very real challenge of creating wholeness and workability for Faithwalking in the financial arena has proven to be a creative force for us. On the one hand we have carefully considered an increase in our fees and implementing a scholarship structure. On the other, we couldn’t be more excited about the creation of a new Faithwalking curriculum, “Faithwalking Foundations,” and new offerings, such as “Becoming Differentiated with our Families,” that we hope to begin rolling out in September.

Stay tuned – there is more to come! For now (and as usual), we invite you to help us. We are currently seeking grants to help fund the following special projects:

a professional rewrite of our materials
a professional rebranding of Faithwalking
hiring a bilingual (Spanish) intern

If you are familiar with any grants you think we should consider applying for, or if would like to discuss how you might help us fund any of these projects at any level, we would love to hear from you! You can also click below to donate immediately. If you would like to designate your contribution to a particular project, you can do so in the “special instructions” box.

DONATE HERE

Contact: Angela Raley, angelaraley@faithwalking.us

Why Faithwalking? Interview – Ken Shuman

From counseling to meditation, there are plenty of transformational programs that claim to address our deepest human needs. But how do we define these needs, and what keeps Faithwalking from becoming just another program? In this video, our leader Ken Shuman discusses with Marcos Leon the deep needs we have for wholeness and workability in our lives. He explains how Faithwalking can transform us into people who grow in these areas despite living in an anxious and reactive world. Following the video, we invite you to read Ken’s short reflection, “The Case for Faithwalking,” to further explore the uniqueness of what Faithwalking has to offer.

audio version available below

The Case for Faithwalking

A clear statement of the need we address:

We live in a reactive culture where even the most well-intentioned people behave in less than healthy ways.

Everyone has triggers. Marriages, families, churches, businesses, communities and governments are all impacted by people’s lack of ability to work together in healthy and life-giving ways. As a result, most of the systems in our culture are impaired, and many are disintegrating. Individuals and the world remain broken and disunified. Christians inconsistently follow the path of Jesus. We miss out on the fully alive life. The world remains mostly unchanged. Polarization and impulsive bad behavior are on the increase. Simple answers get offered when the real answers lie deep within every individual.

“External conflicts are difficult to resolve before resolving the internal conflicts that fuel them.” Dr. Henry Cloud

We believe that wholeness and workability are God’s intended design. We believe that God desires peace, unity, and soundness in individuals and in systems. We believe that when God’s kingdom invades the earth that wholeness is reclaimed in everyone and that workability is established for everyone.

Reclaiming wholeness and establishing workability in individuals, communities, systems and the world is our mission.

How do we address this need?

We believe that information alone doesn’t transform but that informed practice transforms.

We teach people how to use a set of tools that lead to personal transformation and the fully alive life. We coach them in how to apply the tools in their lives. We empower them to learn to coach themselves as an ongoing way of life. We mobilize them to join with God in God’s ongoing mission in the places where they live, work, and play. Individuals are transforming and becoming more whole, and they then impact systems that become more whole and workable.

What makes us unique? Our mix of resources. Family systems theory, spiritual formation, missional theology, leadership development, and practical self-help. Our process: of information, practice and reflection Our coaching A mix of professionals and volunteers. Our end-game of wholeness and workability in individuals, communities, systems and the world.

How can others help us? Pray, Give, Coach, Volunteer

Defined and Connected – Part 3

It’s become normal for our social media feeds to be littered with friends or followers whom we avoid because they’re too argumentative. And it’s all too familiar for friends and family to become estranged over a disagreement. Jim Herrington, Cheryl Moses, and Marcos Leon help us understand that we often experience these things when we aren’t as defined and connected as we could be in our relationships. In this video, they offer real-life examples of how being differentiated helps us maintain our own unique values while remaining emotionally connected to those with whom we disagree.

audio version available below

Seeking Volunteers

Want to Volunteer?

We have a number of needs that could be addressed by volunteers. We have listed the ones we need the most below.

Administrative and Special Projects

We are always in need of help with any number of administrative and other projects, such as computer-based organizing tasks, improving our website, online filing, enhancing our social media sites, and so forth. Angela Raley, our Operations Administrator, would be THRILLED if some of the items on her “one day” project wishlist could get done well before she would otherwise get to them!

Grant Writers, Writers, and Editors

***We have a big need for an experienced grant writer to do some grant writing for us on a volunteer basis, as none of our staff has experience at this and we really need to apply for at least several grants this year.

We often need stories written to include in our newsletters, on our website, etc. Rather than writing from scratch, this usually involves writing up what already exists in the form of a transcript, a video, or an audio file. At those times we need someone to put the stories “on paper” in a clear and compelling way.

We also need help with editing some of our course materials from time to time.

FW 101 Retreat Hosts and Small Group Leaders (Houston)

A few times a year we hold open retreats (2 days, usually 9-6 each day) in Houston and need someone to serve as the host. This person manages the snacks, meals, and drinks for the group; is responsible for some set-up and clean-up; and is available if other needs come up during the retreat. We also need people who have gone through FW 101 themselves to serve as small group leaders at these retreats. These are great opportunities to experience FW 101 again, free of charge!

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Angela at angelaraley@faithwalking.us. Thank you!