The Desert Sanctuary

Recruited into the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement as a young wife, Tia Levings learned that being a good Christian meant following a list of additional life principles––a series of secret, special rules to obey. Being a godly and submissive wife in Christian Patriarchy included strict discipline, isolation, and an alternative lifestyle that appeared wholesome to outsiders. […]

I am fully convinced that connection is essential for us as human beings. It begins early in life when we form an attachment to our mother or caregiver. If we don’t receive proper care during childhood, we can face issues later on. The quality of that care is essential and significantly affects us. We need […]

A couple of years ago, a group of women encouraged me to read women’s stories. They echoed each other’s sentiments that men, especially pastors, tend to read theology and leadership books, but ignore stories about women’s experience. Instead of reading the stories, Laura and I interviewed and listened to women who had experienced toxic religion, […]

The Family Peace Initiative (FPI) is a certified battering intervention program operated by Halley Counseling Services, P.A. Presently, FPI operates more than 25+ groups in communities throughout the state of Kansas. Along with direct service, the staff of the FPI conducts training through workshops and conferences focusing on battering intervention facilitation and battering motivation. FPI [&#82...

Australia and New Zealand The Religious Trauma Collective We are therapists who have personal and professional experience with religious harm and the trauma that can come from losing your worldview and identity, where it was once found in faith. We see a significant gap in understanding of this harm and this particular trauma, there is […]

Finding Truth starts with asking good questions Are you serious about deconstruction and asking bigger questions? If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that […]

Finding Truth starts with asking good questions Are you serious about deconstruction and asking bigger questions? If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that […]

Chapter 9 of 24 This was a big lesson for me. Celebrating my accomplishments is something that I look forward to during every project, but it’s hard for me to do. Several guides in my life, including my current therapist, have reminded me of this fact. This issue is a sticky situation I find myself […]

Chapter 8 0f 24 Organized religion and many other institutions operate under the mistaken belief that we cannot trust ourselves due to our inherent flaws. We often think leaders possess a unique ability that distinguishes them from others, leading us to defer to and submit to them. In these organizations, both actual and perceived hierarchical […]

Chapter 7 of 24 “Just listening is what turns a victim into a survivor.” – Christine Ristaino When we ask women who have survived abuse and narcissistic relationships within organized religion what men can do to help the situation, they almost always express a desire for men to listen to their survivor stories. Religion encourages […]

One of the leading Trauma Coaches in the Deconstruction world finds herself with some new wall art — 2 ethics violations from AAMFT and more on the way. Rick Pidcock, of Baptist News Global, reported this week on the story. We sat down to discuss his latest blog from Baptist News Global Rick Pidcock is […]

Chapter 6 of 24 There is a time to revisit the past. Sometimes, we must connect with our former selves to find genuine healing. Additionally, while making plans is essential, future pursuits can often lead to distractions that result in unproductive living. The ideal place for us to live is wherever we are. Many religions […]

Chapter 5 of 24 Many religions suggest that our bodies are inherently flawed, leading to suspicion of their signals. This perspective is both misguided and harmful. Embracing a trauma-informed approach allows us to appreciate that our bodies hold valuable wisdom and are crucial for fostering our intuition and healing from trauma. They convey essential messages […]

Chapter 4 of 24 Many religions suggest that our bodies are inherently flawed, leading to suspicion of their signals. This perspective is both misguided and harmful. Embracing a trauma-informed approach allows us to appreciate that our bodies hold valuable wisdom and are crucial for fostering our intuition and healing from trauma. They convey essential messages […]

Chapter 3 of 24 Are you serious about deconstruction and asking bigger questions? If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that approach is that […]

Chapter 2 of 24 Are you serious about deconstruction and asking bigger questions? If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that approach is that […]

Chapter 1 of 24 Are you serious about deconstruction and asking bigger questions? If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that approach is that […]

Rebecca is a dedicated advocate working tirelessly with both communities and schools across the United States to tackle poverty and heal trauma. Her journey began in 2011 when, as a single mother of three, she fought her way out of poverty and a trailer park. Discovered by a local poverty resolution project, Rebecca’s transformative journey […]

Rebecca is a dedicated advocate working tirelessly with both communities and schools across the United States to tackle poverty and heal trauma. Her journey began in 2011 when, as a single mother of three, she fought her way out of poverty and a trailer park. Discovered by a local poverty resolution project, Rebecca’s transformative journey […]

The Places We Won’t Go – 4 of 4 Larry Jordan spent 25 years in investment banking, assisting companies, governments, and non-profit agencies in issuing over $10 billion of municipal bonds for capital projects and cash flows. In 2011, he quit his job and sold his house to spend his life in service. He drove veterans to […]

The Places We Won’t Go – 3 of 4 Larry Jordan spent 25 years in investment banking, assisting companies, governments, and non-profit agencies in issuing over $10 billion of municipal bonds for capital projects and cash flows. In 2011, he quit his job and sold his house to spend his life in service. He drove veterans to […]

The Places We Won’t Go – 2 of 4 Larry Jordan spent 25 years in investment banking, assisting companies, governments, and non-profit agencies in issuing over $10 billion of municipal bonds for capital projects and cash flows. In 2011, he quit his job and sold his house to spend his life in service. He drove veterans to […]

The Places We Won’t Go – 1 of 4 Larry Jordan spent 25 years in investment banking, assisting companies, governments, and non-profit agencies in issuing over $10 billion of municipal bonds for capital projects and cash flows. In 2011, he quit his job and sold his house to spend his life in service. He drove veterans to […]

Bruce Epperly has served as a congregational pastor and university chaplain, university and seminary professor and administrator, and is a prolific author and lectionary commentator. With over forty years joining pulpit and classroom, Bruce recently retired from congregational ministry after serving eight years as Senior Pastor of South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Centervi...

Bruce Epperly has served as a congregational pastor and university chaplain, university and seminary professor and administrator, and is a prolific author and lectionary commentator. With over forty years joining pulpit and classroom, Bruce recently retired from congregational ministry after serving eight years as Senior Pastor of South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Centervi...