Stuck!

by Terry Walling

Transitions occur in the lives of all committed Christ followers. They are the moments and days that lie between what is and what is to come. Transitions are in the seam between one development phase and the next. They deepen one's trust and dependency on God and help Christ followers better recognize God's voice and calling in their life.

As you walk through this book, some of the following questions will be

- What is a transition?
- How do I know if I am in a transition?
- What is the pathway through the transition?
- How does God use the transition to shape my life and direction?
- How do I know when the transition is over?
- What can I expect in the future?

"Stuck!" is about finding God in new ways and discovering his purposes, while at the same time, surviving and navigating through a time of transition.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2008

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have ever read on the topic of transitions. Very wise, yet practical concepts. I think I underlined half the book. I also appreciated that at the end of each chapter they have reflection questions to help you process and apply. Excellent, well laid out book for all!

[Joel Hathaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuck! is a non-fiction text written to define and address significant transitions in life. Author Terry B. Walling breaks life into three major periods he calls Awakening (20s-30s), Deciding (40s-50s), and Finishing (60s-70s). Movement from one period to the next is a major transition. Walling’s premise is that major transitions are characterized by four stages: entry, evaluation, alignment, and direction. Walling calls this the “Transition Life Cycle.”
Chapters 1-4 “focus on defining transitions and identifying the characteristics and key reasons behind them” (18). Chapters 5-10 introduce the Transition Life Cycle and elements of a typical transition. Chapters 11-16 focus on the three major transitions people face. Chapters 17-20 conclude with encouragements for readers to stay engaged in their transition, as opposed to checking-out or shortcutting the process.
If you are in a life transition, you might consider this book as one resource to provide a framework to understand what you are experiencing. Some readers will find Walling’s Transition Life Cycle helpful. Readers should know that Walling writes from a religious, Christian perspective which roots his premises in an ethical and moral world.
The questions Walling provides at the end of each chapter, what he calls “applying it,” are particularly helpful, especially to people in a season of transition. This is true irrespective of your religious perspective. These questions invite opportunity for personal reflection. The questions enable readers to apply the text directly to their stage of life and specifics of their transitions. On the other hand, I think readers would be better served with more specific and succinct language to describe the sections of transition. The generic titles fail to give readers a handle to carry concepts from one chapter to the next.
Walling is writing for the individual (or family) in transition. He does not address the messiness and conflict that are so prevalent in organizations and systems during periods of major transition, except for a cursory acknowledgement in chapter 15 (108). Readers would have greater confidence in Walling’s model had he demonstrated familiarity with the wider field of personal, family, and organizational transitions. Engagement with external literature in the field of transitions would strengthen Walling’s writing and provide greater veracity to his application. To the contrary, recurring reference to the author’s own resources weakens the overall power of the text. Despite the subtitle, this book is not about leadership transitions.
Readers interested in exploring topics of leadership and transition should consider the writings of Ronald Heifetz, Martin Linsky, and Patrick Lencioni.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with the book. I think it probably relates more to my own faith journey right now, than it does to the book itself. But I found myself tripped up by the Christianese language throughout as it just doesn't feel to represent my own faith right now. Furthermore, I found it a bit overly simplified in its frameworks presented and theology assumed. A couple of quotes stuck out to me (below) but I'm not sure I could recommend this to anyone.

Transitions are more about character development than job description (pg. 27).

God uses transitions to help followers press into greater clarity about who they are. Self-knowledge is essential for emotional health and for coming to terms with one’s unique contribution (pg 28).

The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wants me to do; the thing is to find the truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die (pg 105).

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was put in my hands for the second time this year by my husband- this time I decided to read it! I took it slowly, as the book prompts lots of reflections. There were times when I found the structure and organisation of the information a little frustrating, but I suspect that has more to do with relevance to my situation (perhaps I should have picked & chosen chapters a little more!). What I found most helpful about the book was how spot on it was in terms of describing some of the challenges that come with transition. It was easy to read, encouraging, challenging and both practical and deeply spiritual. I have no doubt that it will become a resource I will return to.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides some sketches of helpful paradigms for life transitions, including life phases, phases of transitions, and how to get the most out of transitional times.
The book feels a little bit like a teaser, and I'm sure the author has so much more to offer as he meets personally with those he mentors.

[Stan Rieb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sub title to this book is "Navigating the Transitions of Life and Leadership"
Many pastors reach a point of frustration, not knowing whether to stay with a ministry or look for new ministry opportunities. This is a good book to help gain a clearer vision of one's future.

[Garland Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be very insightful and helpful in understanding the stages hat Cheistian leaders go through as God shapes them to be the type of leader hat he wants to use. There is a lot of applicable information that will be useful not only now but also for many years to come.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound teaching. Practical advice and resources. It repeats itself across different chpt but that's ok as it's designed to be used in chunks depending on where the person is at in their leadership cycle.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The combination of a well thought through philosophy alongside practical tips for reflection and application was truly a breath of fresh air for me. I was drowning in transition, and this book was much-needed support. Thank you Terry Walling.

[Roman Novikov]

So sharp so good book.

[Scott Vawser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Sylvia Jeronimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are going through a transition , and who isn't? - then this book is for you. Loved the framework it gives for times of transition in our lives. Helpful, inspirational, super practical.