Foreword Reviews
“Faith coach Angela J. Herrington delivers a reassuring, practical guide for people who are questioning their commitments to Christianity or who are looking to trade 'toxic, man-made religion' for something healthier. . . . Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself is an empathetic, realistic self-help companion for those on painful but necessary spiritual quests.”

“To deconstruct is to nurture networks of new language through relationships that heal and call us into being. This book creates conditions for other possible worlds that always contain multitudes. May our faith no longer be toxic to ourselves and our community, but may our faith be a practice and orientation that guides us to plant seeds for other worlds to emerge, so that we can make meaning in ways that call forth the divine in everything. If you’re struggling to find yourself in the swirl of deconstructing your faith, I hope this book calls you back to relationship with yourself and with others and inspires you to think beyond the dogma of toxic religion.”
—Roberto Che Espinoza, author of Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation
 
“When I started my deconstruction process more than twenty years ago, I felt completely alone. No one was talking about this stuff, and raising a question got you dirty looks or worse! What I would have given for a guide like this one! Angela Herrington has written a comforting and beautiful balm for the soul. For all who are wrestling, wondering, and wandering in what feels like the barren wasteland of deconstruction, this is the companion for you. This guide will comfort your fears, welcome your questions, and let you know you are not alone.”
—Shannon T. L. Kearns, author of In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture
 
“Angela Herrington has tackled a triggering topic in a beautiful and compassionate way. Her approach empowers the reader to explore faith deconstruction at their own pace without shame, fear, or judgment and with no agenda other than authenticity.”
—Tiffany Yecke Brooks, author of Gaslighted by God: Reconstructing a Disillusioned Faith
 
“Deconstruction is a lonely journey. Sometimes people are on the journey for years before they even know what's happening to them. In Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself Angela Herrington reminds us that we are not alone on this journey. And she equips us with the essential tools to navigate the nuances of this life-changing shift in our worldview.”
—Kristian Smith, author of Breaking All the Rules: An Ancient Framework for Modern Faith
 

Angela J. Herrington helps those deconstructing their faith heal from their religious trauma and cultivate healthy spirituality. She is a Lark’s Song Certified Life Coach and holds a BA in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan and an MA in leadership from Wesley Seminary. 

Table of Contents

Foreword by David Hayward
Introduction: Deconstruction Is Not a Trend
Part 1: Understanding Where You Are 
          1. Explore the Heart of Deconstruction 
          2. Beware the Wolf in Deconstructionist Clothing 
          3. Pack for Your Deconstruction Journey 
Part 2: Mapping the Wilderness 
          4. Commit to Embodied Curiosity 
          5. Lower Your Defenses 
          6. Gather New and Different Information 
          7. Examine and Sort 
          8. Reconcile and Release 
          9. Recenter On What Is Good 
          10. Carry On with Compassion 
          11. Deconstruct without Losing Yourself 
Notes
Bibliography
Index