Are you new to faith deconstruction? I’ve been there and know it can be overwhelming. If you’re just getting started, and sorting out how to deconstruct your faith, then this is the perfect place to begin. You may have heard a lot of different things about what deconstruction means, but remember deconstruction is an invitation to pursue your questions, find safety within your body and community, and explore a faith that resonates with you.
I’ve created this list of 9 free resources to help you get started. It contains workshops, articles, a virtual deconstruction community, poetry, books, and even a playlist to support your deconstruction journey.
- The Faith Deconstruction Cafe
I began this free online community because deconstructing is hard, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. I know safe and supportive Christian spaces can be really hard to find, so I created one, and I’d love to welcome you into it. Right now, exactly as you are! The Cafe supports Jesus-loving women and non-binary people who are disconnecting from the gender bias, racism, patriarchy, or other hallmarks of toxic religious culture! - Is Deconstruction Right For You?
A mini-course that answers 5 of the biggest questions many people ask me over and over again! It is perfect if you’re:
✓ tired of legalism, false doctrines, and exclusionary policies.
✓ discouraged by what you see from Christian leaders.
✓ trying to recover from #churchhurt.
✓ not even sure you want to be Christian anymore.
In less than an hour, you can gain clarity on what deconstruction is, what it isn’t, and how it can help you break free from toxic religion. - 7 Ways To Deconstruct Your Faith Without Overwhelm workshop
This on-demand workshop is the perfect tool to help you break free from legalism, nationalism, and patriarchy! You’ll get a downloadable workbook, training videos, and easy-to-follow activities to help you learn how to deconstruct your faith:
✓ root out the false teachings that are impacting you daily.
✓ discover the truth about you and your faith.
✓ reclaim your power and choose how you want to move forward. - 30 Signs Your Church is Immersed in Toxic Religion
Not sure if your church is a safe community in which to deconstruct? This article will help you identify red flags that could mean it’s time to start looking for a healthier space to explore your faith. I’ve even created a printable version you can use as a checklist to sort out how many warning signs you see in your church. - 31 Questions to Explore Before Deconstructing Your Faith in 2022
This activity that will help you reflect on your faith deconstruction journey over the last 12 months! I’ve crafted 31 open-ended deconstruction questions to ask yourself as you head into the new year. Don’t panic! These are the best kind of questions because there are no wrong answers and it’s not a graded test. Even if the questions don’t specifically mention the process of deconstructing, they help you explore where you are at, and what you need in this season, I wrote every single question to support you in knowing how to deconstruct your faith in 2022.
- 6 Steps for Recovering from Blame and Shame Associated with Trauma
An article to equip you for trauma recovery–because let’s face it–there’s a lot of trauma recovery in faith deconstruction. The hardest part about recovering from trauma is getting past blame and shame because even when things aren’t or weren’t our fault, we always have some level of doubt. - Best Books on Deconstructing Your Faith
There are HUNDREDS of books that will help you sort out fact from fiction while you’re deconstructing, but it can be overwhelming when you’re just starting, and still asking yourself how to deconstruct your faith. SO I created a giant list of books, sorted them by topic, and even included a link where you can read reviews, and summaries, and order your copy. - Wild Sacred Holy Anthems For Faith Deconstruction
A free Spotify playlist that introduces you to some of my favorite encouraging, strength-giving songs. It’s a mix of all kinds of music and, by design, doesn’t contain traditional hymns or worship songs. I curated this list to help you sing and move your way through your journey of exploring your faith and figuring out what is true for you.
- “But That Hurts Too: A Poem For The Weary Soul”
Poem and downloadable audio. Poetry takes ordinary words and weaves them together with story and feeling in a way that has always spoken to my soul, even when I was little and didn’t even know what a soul was. I find that the simplest phrases or incomplete sentences can be transformed into powerful expressions of our deepest emotions. Poetry is a particularly powerful ally when trying to understand some things as enormously complex as our Creator. This poem speaks to the heartache and heaviness that surrounds us this season. I pray that this poem will comfort your weary heart as only sacred medicine can.
I hope you’ll take me up on my invitation to join the Faith Deconstruction Cafe, my Facebook community that holds space for each of us to explore how to deconstruct your faith, just as you are. It’s 100% free and there’s zero pressure to convert to a specific belief system. The cafe is all about exploring deconstruction, and your questions in a supportive, inclusive environment. Can’t wait to meet you there!
Hey there friend! I’m Angela J Herrington, MA, LSCC and I’m a Faith Deconstruction coach who provides soul care for people who are untangling from toxic religion.
As a certified life coach and seminary-trained online pastor, I have a lot of experience helping people connect with God. But this is also a very personal journey for me.
For the last decade, I’ve been on my own journey to break free from learned smallness and step into wild sacred holy womanhood. Long story short, after finding faith in my early 30’s I began to realize that what I was hearing from the church about women didn’t always line up with what God was telling me. I loved God but realized the church was teaching some really toxic stuff.
So this Enneagram 8, first born, Gen Xer started deconstructing. I questioned and challenged everything I thought I knew about faith, gender, and myself.
It was messy and took a lot of work to sort it out. Therapy. Coaching. Bodywork. Spiritual healing. Conferences and retreats. And even a couple of college degrees.
You name it…I tried it.
But the thing that made the biggest difference was the presence and support of wise people who helped me up when I didn’t know where else to turn.
That’s why in September 2021, I created and hosted The Deconstructing Faith Summit. I gathered 20 phenomenal deconstruction experts to share their expertise and hosted over 1100 attendees in the week-long virtual event. Those who attended realized they weren’t alone, had a safe space to ask questions, learned dozens of strategies to help them deconstruct, and released tons of pent-up emotions they didn’t even know they were carrying around.
We laughed, we cried, and we danced, but the best part was…We did it together.
It was AMAZING and it was just the beginning.
So now, I’m doubling down on my commitment to create an inclusive support system for people, like you, who are longing to get away from toxic religion and cultivate a nourishing spiritual life.
I WOULD BE HONORED TO BE YOUR GUIDE, BE BY YOUR SIDE THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM, UNCOVER WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK, AND CO-CREATE A PLAN TO BREAK FREE.
