Last year, at the CGN International Conference, my friend and colleague Nick Cady and I had the privilege of collaborating to create something we believe to be extremely needed in this cultural moment: a workshop for pastors and leaders, aimed at understanding doubt and deconstruction and ministering to those who struggle.
Our workshop delved into understanding the issue from its core and exploring potential solutions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it inspired us to go a step further. We’re now transforming this content into practical resources for pastors, leaders, and anyone in ministry eager to help, as Jude says, “having mercy on those who doubt; saving others by snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 1:22-25).
As many of you might be aware, the deconstruction movement has become quite prevalent. It’s not just a phase for the young; it affects people across all ages within the church, leading to doubts and often a departure from faith. This isn’t always simply about rebellion or a desire to ‘sin’ – the situation is far more complex than that.
Take Nick’s experience, for instance. He went through his own period of doubt and deconstruction while serving as a young pastor… an experience that shook him to his core and propelled him deeper into his faith as he studied to find answers.
I, too, have faced my share of doubts, and seen young people in my ministry, and peers from my Christian community, go through similar struggles. There are myriad reasons behind these journeys, and understanding them is crucial.
Video Series
Here are parts 1-3 of the series, covering the problem and roots of Christian Deconstruction. We hope to have another set of videos out early 2024, discussing solutions. Stay tuned for that. And if these videos bless you, please share them with your ministry teams, or anyone struggling through this issue.
If this content is helpful to you, or if you have feedback, we’d love to know. You can email AaronSalvato@Calvarychapel.com
In our series, we dive into the roots of the modern deconstruction movement. We examine influences like postmodern philosophy and how they shape our cultural moment. We also distinguish between personal struggles with doubt and the broader ‘#deconstruction’ movement that’s gaining momentum on social media.
Our exploration includes various causes of deconstruction, ranging from rejection of the religion one was raised in, to personal traumas such as abuse, hypocrisy, and corrupted theology. The goal of these resources is to equip pastors and leaders with knowledge, compassion, and Christ-centered approaches to support those grappling with these challenges.
This epidemic is one that requires insight and sensitivity. We want to help foster within CGN an approach that is informed, compassionate, and deeply rooted in Christ’s truth and love.
Further Resources:
- CGN Doubt & Deconstruction Resources for Pastors and Leaders
- This is a massive list we put together filled with books, podcasts, videos, and more on this issue.
- My conversation with Evan Wickham on Hope for Doubters & Deconstructors
- Evan has spent years working with people struggling through these issues. As a pastor who was stationed in Portland, Oregon, he has a ton of great insight.
- The Full Audio Workshop Nick Cady & I did at the 2023 CGN Conference.
- If you want to hear the full workshop audio, here’s a recording. The video series goes through the content much more slowly and in depth, but the audio workshop had some good Q&A at the end as well.
- My follow-up conversation with a local pastor asking some clarifying questions.
- My friend Johnny Zacchio, Jr. had some great follow-up questions around this topic, so I answered them in this podcast.
