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What’s the deal with people deconstructing their faith?

November 01, 2022

For years we’ve heard that young people are leaving the church at alarming rates. Recently we’ve also been hearing a lot about “deconstruction.” Gravity Leadership defines deconstruction as “the process of taking apart and examining an idea, tradition, practice, or belief to determine its truthfulness, usefulness, and impact.”

On Carey Niuewhof’s blog, Joe Terrell offers several reasons why young people are deconstructing their faith:

  • Decline in trust towards institutions and pastors
  • Increased access to a diverse world
  • Burnout and disillusionment from past church experiences
  • Some church’s dogmatism and aversion to doubt
  • Influence of partisan politics in the church

James Fowler is known for his theory of six stages of faith development. Fowler’s theory shows that “deconstruction” can be a normal part of faith development. Fowlers also shows that that deconstruction isn’t necessarily the end of faith development. Deconstruction can result in deconversion, but it can also lead to a more vibrant personal faith.

Stage 1
Young children often mix fantasy and reality together, but pick up their most basic ideas about God from their parents.

Stage 2
School age children understand the world in more logical ways, generally accepting the stories told to them by their faith communities in very literal ways.

Stage 3
Teens begin to have other influences beyond their parents and adopt a belief system which they stay within. Authority is usually placed in those with similar beliefs. Some people remain in this stage throughout their life.

Stage 4
Seeing other viewpoints, young adults critically examine their beliefs and may become disillusioned by former faith.

Stage 5
In mid-life people begin to realize the limits of logic and start to accept the paradoxes of life. They begin to see life as a mystery and often to return to sacred stories and symbols.

Stage 6
Few people reach this stage of living life sot the full in service of others without any worries or doubts.

Deconstruction can result in deconversion, but it can also lead to a more vibrant personal faith.

Deconstruction is painful. Watching a loved one deconstruct their faith hurts, but it’s important to realize that the pain goes both ways. Those who are in a process of deconstruction also experience pain as they question the foundational things they learned from people they love and trust. Family relationships, community and identity can hang in the balance. As we interact with those who are questioning their faith, it is important to show care and compassion. Follow the advice of retired Calvary Church pastor Sid Veenstra who is known for saying, “choose relationship over being right.” Listen well and ask good questions to seek understanding.  Avoid preaching or lecturing.  Ask permission to share your perspective, then do so gently and respectfully. Be patient and allow time and space for this deep internal work. Reach out to the people in your faith community for support and prayer.

Our prayer for those who are deconstructing is that they would examine their beliefs and then reconstruct a more vibrant personal faith. That their beliefs would be refined and full of integrity. That they would hold on to Jesus and know God’s deep love. And that they would become a strong witness to a questioning world.

Works Cited

https://gravityleadership.com/deconstruction/

https://careynieuwhof.com/five-real-reasons-young-people-are-deconstructing-their-faith/

  

 

Christy Becher is the Family Ministry Pastor at Calvary Church. She is a graduate of University of Northwestern and Bethel Seminary. Before joining the staff at Calvary, Christy taught elementary school in several local school districts. She leads an amazing team that is passionate about helping kids and students follow Jesus. When not at work, Christy is most likely at a basketball game, at the mall, or in her cozy chair with a good book.

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