The Faithful Deconstruction Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Missio Alliance.
In Episode 5 of 6 of Faithful Deconstruction, Jessie Cruickshank of Whoology and Rowland Smith of ForgeAmerica explore how we journey with one another through deconstruction so we don’t lose our faith by exploring a time in history when the entire world faced disorientation.
Drawing from their own experiences and insights, Jessie Cruickshank and Rowland Smith share their thoughts on how the support and encouragement of a community can make all the difference in navigating the ups and downs of a journey of faith. From finding like-minded friends to leaning on the wisdom and guidance of mentors, this episode offers practical tips and advice for those who are seeking to find their place in a supportive community.
Whether you’re in the midst of deconstruction or you’re looking to support someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights into the transformative power of community. Join us now as we explore the ways in which community can help us to grow, learn, and thrive on our journey of faithful deconstruction.
We have created a free resource called Six Questions to Help you Rediscover Your Faith available to download at Whoology.co/faithfuldeconstruction.
If you’re interested in exploring the intersection of faith and doubt and learning how to navigate the deconstruction process in a healthy and transformative way, be sure to watch this video and join us in the conversation in the comments section below.
Missio Alliance Comment Policy
The Missio Alliance Writing Collectives exist as a ministry of writing to resource theological practitioners for mission. From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. This sort of thoughtful engagement is something that we seek to engender not only in our publishing, but in conversations that unfold as a result in the comment section of our articles.
Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand. At the same time, censorship of comments by those who disagree with points made by authors, whose anger or limited perspective taints their words, or who simply feel the need to express their own opinion on a topic without any meaningful engagement with the article or comment in question can mask an important window into the true state of Christian discourse. As such, Missio Alliance sets forth the following suggestions for those who wish to engage in conversation around our writing:
1. Seek to understand the author’s intent.
If you disagree with something the an author said, consider framing your response as, “I hear you as saying _________. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, here’s why I disagree. _____________.
2. Seek to make your own voice heard.
We deeply desire and value the voice and perspective of our readers. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down.
3. Share your story.
One of our favorite tenants is that “an enemy is someone whose story we haven’t heard.” Very often disagreements and rants are the result of people talking past rather than to one another. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. We encourage you to couch your comments in whatever aspect of your own story might help others understand where you are coming from.
In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive.