It has been such a joy to be on this journey learning more about Deconstruction and Reconstruction with you these past few weeks. I realized recently that when I gave you the schedule in the January newsletter, I missed a Sunday. Sorry. So, we have three more weeks to look at Patriarchy, Becoming a Safe Space, and Asking Questions.
This is not the journey I thought it would be when I started planning this series last fall. Instead, it has been fun and interesting to see where the Spirit of God is leading as we move along. As I said on Jan. 26, this topic is so much bigger than a six-week sermon series can contain. I imagine that we will revisit this topic in worship and Bible studies in the years to come and as we continue to learn and grow.
With that said, I know I don’t usually give “homework,” but there are a lot of amazing resources available so that we each can learn more about what this means for us and others. Below is a VERY SHORT LIST of books and podcasts that you can use as a starting place if you want to learn more about Deconstruction and Reconstruction. The podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music (except The Liturgists), Spotify .... wherever you go to find good podcasts. I have included links if you would like to order any of the books. I used Cokesbury.com for the links where a book was available, and I am sure Poor Richard’s can help you order them, too.
Reading List for From Rubble to Rebuilding
Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans.
Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversation on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and his Humanist Son by Tony Campolo & Bart Campolo.
Saving Jesus from the Church: How to Stop Worshipping Christ and Start Following Jesus by Robin R. Meyers.
Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening by Diana Butler Bass.
Faith After Doubt: Why Your Faith Stopped Working and What to Do About It by Brian D. McLaren.
A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith by Brian D. McLaren.
Do I Stay Christian: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned by Brian D. McLaren.
God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us: 40 Devotions to Liberate Your Faith from Fear and Reconnect with Joy by the Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail (available February 18, 2025).
Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost my Faith and Found it Again through Science by Mark McHague & Rob Bell.
The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church by Sarah McCammon.
Podcasts for From Rubble to Rebuilding
And Also with You with the Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail & the Rev. Laura Di Panfilo – “A podcast on reclaiming an ancient Christian faith for modern Christian life.”Pulpit Fiction with the Rev. Robb McCoy & the Rev. Eric Fistler – “It is a conversation guide by the Revised Common Lectionary, and includes thoughts about pop culture and current events. It is for preachers looking for inspiration as well as any person of faith willing to think critically about their faith and the Bible.”
The Liturgists with Hilary McBride, Michael Gungor, “Science Mike,” & William Matthews – “An artful, mind-expanding, genre-bending exploration of how to live a life full of more love and less suffering.”Reclaiming My Theology with Brandi Miller – “‘Reclaiming My Theology’ is a podcast and community taking our theology back from ideas and systems that oppress ... For over a decade [Brandi Miller has] been exploring, unlearning, and reimagining [her] faith outside of systemic oppression and [asking] how the values of oppressive ideas shape our hearts, minds, politics, and lived experiences. There are so many things to reclaim our theology from: white supremacy, patriarchy and misogyny, capitalism, homophobia, ableism, and more ... Each episode [Brandi] talks to a guest about how the attributes of oppressive ideologies have infiltrated how we see ourselves, each other, and God. We will learn from marginalized communities who practice a different way, and seek to create a more just faith experience together.”
The Progressive Christians Podcast with The Loft – “We’re the love-your-neighbor kind of Christians, not the storm-the-Capitol kind. So, if you’re curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you! In each episode we discuss politics, pop culture, and anything else we find interesting from the perspective of progressive Christianity.”
Once again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn together.
Peace & Love, Ann
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