I originally wrote this post last year. I thought I would re-post it as I am overwhelmed with the rest of the semester, but wanted to start regularly filling this space again. It’s one of my favorite posts. Enjoy!

Since the end of 2004 I have gone through a period of faith deconstruction, a period marked by shedding of beliefs and practices, while learning and embracing whole new categories and experiences of faith. After “doing ministry” for a little over a year and feeling spiritual sapped and a bit disillusioned with evangelicalism, I ended the year by asking God to revitalize my relationship with Him and move me to a new level of intimacy and understanding. In answer to that prayer He brought me back to the centrality of Christ, in everything.

Of my theology, doctrine, spirituality, ministry and life, God called me to drop all preconceived notions, deeply held beliefs and practices in an effort to make Jesus the most central figure. In so doing, I entered into a period of deconstruction and reconstruction the likes of which I had never experienced in my theology and spirituality. Thankfully in the midst of this “tearing and building” I never rejected foundational, orthodox Christian teachings. But though I held to the fundamentals of traditional Christian orthodoxy, I did reject and continue to re-understand my fundamentalist, evangelical roots.

Now on the other side of that deconstruction, I look back with fondness for that period and spiritual experience as a pivotal launch to my emerging faith. While I am by no means finished with faith-deconstruction or emergence–my guess is it will happen even more potently as I begin seminary and probably will never really cease–it was a key part of my journey as a spiritual being. And like any journey, there are several milestones and markers which helped deconstruct my faith, shift me into new spiritual and theological territory, and provide new understanding for the teachings and way of Jesus.

Here are 10 ways to deconstruct you faith. Most of them are personal, but great faith deconstructors for the emerging faith of others, none the less:

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1.) Walk a labyrinth.

Is your prayer life dry and often times meaningless? Do you find connecting with God and understanding His path for you difficult? Though people label this historic spiritual practice as “new age”, walking the labyrinth helped me deconstruct the notion of prayer and reconnect with God in incredibly meaningful ways.

2.) If you attend a mainline church go to an evangelical service; if attend an evangelical church go to a mainline service.

So much of my faith experience was about pitting one church community or denomination against another. I had a very selfish and narrow view of the beauty of the Ecclesia, and being a part of an Episcopal church for a few years helped me appreciate the deepness and wideness of the Church. Switch it up a bit and just see how much God is working in faith traditions outside of your own!

3.) Only read the Gospels for a year.

For much of my bible study life, Paul and his letters were it. Thus, much of how I read the Gospels was through the eyes of Paul. And what’s more, I realized I really did not know Jesus and His teachings well. So I thought to myself, “If I am suppose to live like Jesus lived and be Him to the world, how am I going to do that if I don’t know his teachings?” I spent the next 2 years in no other part of the Bible than the Gospels. My beliefs, practices, theology, deeply held doctrines and practices were completly turned on end as I (re)met Jesus, his Way and teachings. Jesus. It does a body good!

4.) Read Brian McLaren’s “A New Kind of Christian” Trilogy.

Written and read like the Socratic Dialogues, Brian’s series might help you put a finger on what in your faith has been disturbing you, and will certainly challenge the presuppositions upon which that faith is built. It did for me. In fact, other than God, his “New Kind of Christian” book is what set this whole bloody journey going in the first place!

5.) Take a part-time job among the Other.

One of the best deconstructors was taking a job with a major national department store. Doing so put me smack dab in the middle of Muslims, a Buddhist, a Jew, a Sikh, and several non-religious people. For the first time I was forced to contend with the faiths of others and show them Jesus in an up-close-and-personal, communal way. Stepping into the lives of others and this community of people definitely challenged and strengthened my own attachments to the Christian community.

6.) Memorize the Nicene and/or Apostles Creeds.

In the midst of the doctrine and denomination wars, it is prudent to turn to the basics on which historic Christian orthodoxy has rested for a millennia and several centuries.

7.) Ask questions of those in power. Ask WHY & HOW KNOW.

Though doing so might be the kiss of death in your particular faith community, questioning your beliefs and the “givens” that have become second nature within in your faith tradition will do wonders to deconstructing and reconstructing your faith. Asking “Why?” and “How do you know?” are the lynchpins to getting the ball rolling.

8.) Serve, live, and play among the marginalized.

Jesus did not come to give us a book or scroll or teaching. Jesus came to give his life, not only on the cross as a sacrifice for the brokenness and screwed-upness of the world, but also as an incarnational “God-with-us-God” model of what it means to live out and be a part of God’s Kingdom-movement. It’s called incarnational living and will challenge any cozy, pew sitter to get off the ass and be Jesus to a world that needs to be restored to the way God intended it at creation.

9.) Read “God’s Politics” & “How Now Shall We Live” side by side.

So much of Christianity (especially the evagelical variety) has gotten wrapped up in a particular politic, ideology, or worldview. I’d say some balance is need! Reading both of these books by two able-bodied intellectuals and followers of Jesus will give you a more balanced, nuanced understanding of how the Bible intersects with politics and a view of the world.

10.) Count conversations not conversions.

Gone are the days of evangelism by sales pitch, or at least I/we hope so! Deconstruct your view of sharing the gospel by simply counting the amount of spiritual conversations you have with people about THEIR faith journey, thoughts of God and life, opinion of Jesus, view of the world and how to restore it, and whatever else peaks there interest. The point is not to sell Jesus like a vacuum and obsess over the amount of conversions you have, but rather move into a posture of dialog and conversation.

While not necessarily a road map to successful faith-deconstruction, following these 10 steps will at least challenge your notions of prayer, denominations, bible study, faith, community, doctrine, beliefs, incarnationl living, politics and worldview, and evangelism. Try a few and report back what happens. I think you’ll be surprised at what God does in the midst of your own personal “tearing and building.”