TO DECONSTRUCT IS NOT TO LOSE YOUR FAITH. IT IS LEARNING HOW TO HOLD IT HONESTLY.
Deconstruction is not rebellion, it is an act of courage. This space exists for those who have been hurt by harmful theology, church systems or spiritual abuse and are seeking a faith rooted in love, truth and humanity.
HOW WE SUPPORT THE PROCESS
At Restore Ministries, we believe deconstruction is not a problem to be solved, but rather a deeply human process that asks how can we step into this process with others with care, safety and honesty.
People arrive here from many places. Some are questioning inherited beliefs. Some are healing from church hurt or spiritual trauma. Some are leaders supporting others while quietly carrying their own questions. Others simply need language for what they are already experiencing.
Wherever you are in the process, you are welcome here. We want to step into these spaces with individuals, families, communities and ministries with grounded guidance, compassion and care.
Deconstruction can feel isolating, especially when honesty feels a bit risky or misunderstood. We offer one-on-one mentorship and pastoral care for those navigating:
Faith Deconstruction or reconstruction
Spiritual trauma + church hurt
Identity shifts tied to belief
Leadership transitions or faith crises
Grief, fear + uncertainty around questioning.
Our approach is from the stance that we recognize how trauma can change the chemical composition of our brain, therefore we move through the slow process with compassion and understanding. We do not tell people what to believe, but rather help them find safety in moving through their journey.
Deconstruction does not have to be done alone. We offer small group lessons and guided conversations that are designed to:
Provide language for the deconstruction process
Normalize doubt, grief and curiosity
Create safe, non-judgmental dialogue
Explore faith without pressure or persuasion
Help people feel less alone in their questions.
These groups are relational, reflective and centered on emotional and spiritual safety. These groups are not debate centered or performance driven. We focus on honoring emotions and holding space for one another. We would love to come and share with your small group.
One of the things we have seen as we have stepped into this conversation with pastors are that ministries are witnessing people questioning, disengaging or walking away. Leaders often feel unsure how to respond with wisdom and care. We support ministries that want to care well for people in deconstruction by helping them:
Understand why people are question or leaving
Recognize the impact of spiritual trauma and systemic harm
Respond with compassion rather than fear or control
Hold space for doubt without forcing conclusions
Shift toward healthier, people centered leadership models
This work is not about protecting institutions, it is about protecting the people that we are called to serve.
A DECONSTRUCT OF FAITH
A sacred unlearning for those seeking healing, honesty and finding a faith that is compassionate.
Deconstruction is not the loss of faith, it is often can be the beginning of discovering truth.
Many people arrive at this process carrying quiet questions, deep grief and a longing for something more honest than what they have grown to believe as truth. Some are exhausted from holding beliefs that no longer align with love the love they are learning Jesus calls us towards. Others are healing from church hurt, spiritual abuse or systems that demanded silence in the name of obedience.
This space exists for you.
We are not here to tell you what to believe, but we can offer language, permission and gentleness as you begin examining what you were taught and how it shaped you.
WHAT IS DECONSTRUCTION?
There is so much misrepresentation around deconstruction. We want to take the fear away from the word and step into its true definition. Deconstruction is the intentional process of examining beliefs, practices and systems that no longer align with the character of God, lived experience or truth. It involves questioning what we are taught, discerning what is truth and separating culture from the core of scripture.
Deconstruction is NOT about destroying or abandoning your faith, it is about separating God from the systems that misrepresent Him.
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Deconstruction is the intentional, often slow process of examining what we were taught about God, faith and ourselves, then discerning what is true and separating culture from the core of scripture. It is a healing response to harm, but it is absolutely not rebellion. It makes room for grief, questions and complexity. It honors lived experience alongside of scripture and tradition.
Do some people walk away from their faith in their deconstruction process? Yes. We honor that walking away as we move gently through the process of healing.
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Deconstruction is often misunderstood. It is not a loss of faith, it is a refusal to pretend. Yes, some people walk away from their faith (and we hold space for that here), but we recognize that in some cases this may be a necessary part of the process for people in the healing process.
Deconstruction does not mean you are walking away from God, rejecting scripture, have moral failure or spiritual weakness, bitterness, or rebellion.
Many people do not deconstruct because they want to, they deconstruct because their nervous system is asking fro safety and truth.
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There are a myriad of reasons someone will choose to deconstruct their faith.
Common reasons people deconstruct:
Church hurt or spiritual abuse
Patriarchy and exclusion
Christian nationalism and politicized faith
Purity culture and sexual shame
Racial injustice and theological silence
LGBTQ+ exclusion
Fear-based salvation theology
Leadership misuse of authority
Suppression of questions or doubt
If you recognize yourself in any of these, you are not broken, you are paying attention.
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Many people begin deconstructing not because they want to leave their faith, but because staying as they were no longer is a possible option.
Often deconstruction begins when theology causes shame instead of the freedom we should find in our faith and relationship with a creator. When faith begins to demand silence in the face of harm, when systems prioritize power over people, when questions are treated as threats and obedience is demanded at all costs to self, there is a shift in how faith is constructed.
When belief structures harm someone, some must be examined. Deconstruction is often a survival response that is rooted in truth and preservation.
GRAB YOUR FREE WORKBOOK .
This workbook is designed specifically for women, BUT it can easily be used by anyone who is looking to deconstruct their faith.
What’s included in this guide:
Thoughtfully written reflections for each stage of deconstruction and reconstruction
Guided journaling prompts to help you name your story and process church trauma with compassion
Gentle practices that support nervous system care, rest and re-patterning faith
Sections on reclaiming voice, grief, community loss, reimagining belonging, and rebuilding trust
Practices rooted in breath, presence, creativity and embodied faith
Safety reminders and grounding practices woven throughout
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT - WE ARE HERE.
If you are here, it likely means something in side of you is asking for honesty, healing or space to breathe. Please know, you are not alone. You are not failing God. You are not too much.
You are becoming whole.