The purpose of this group is to foster shared experiences and mutual support among individuals navigating changing religious identity and spiritual struggles.

The program is designed for individuals who have gone through a significant faith change and no longer identify with a religion in the way they once did. People who have been through this experience and have a lingering sense of spiritual longing (or distress even) are most eligible for this program. 

The term “deconstruction” comes from the field of philosophy, but is more commonly used now in religious spaces to describe the experience of people who have gone through a period of faith change. This change usually includes a period of questioning, doubt, and/or rejection of a religious faith previously embraced (oftentimes, one they were raised with). 

 Participants may benefit from a sense of community and connection, especially for those who feel disconnected from former spiritual communities.   

These are small groups, of 5 to 10 individuals, committed to meeting over 8 weeks.  Groups are online and will follow a community support group style, with a peer leader. Each peer leader is trained to facilitate such groups and will help guide the flow of each meeting. 

It will be a time for reflection, sharing, and listening to one another, with respect for wherever each individual is in their journey. We use a mindful listening practice as a launchpad for connecting with self and others.  

The program will make use of passages from various poems based in spiritual experience.

Trained group leaders will set clear ground rules at the outset and make sure the conversation is appropriate. They will ensure that everyone feels comfortable and heard, with appropriate boundaries made clear. 

No. Part of the job of the group leader is to ensure no agenda is promoted in the groups apart from each individual’s spiritual autonomy and health. The program is decidedly not faith-based. 

Currently all sessions are virtual.   Plans to expand are forthcoming, including the option for in-person groups in more cities. Join the mailing list for updates. 

Group meetings last 1-2 hours and meet once a week for 8 weeks. 

During this phase of the project, groups are free.  As we expand, we are looking for ways to ensure the quality and accessibility of the program for as many people as possible. 

No. Participants are simply asked to come with an openness to listen to one another and share as they feel comfortable. 

Just as physical health is distinct but linked to mental health, so is spiritual health. There is not one universally agreed-upon definition of “spirituality,” but broadly construed, it refers to the dimension of a person that includes: feelings of connection with self and others, transcendence and awe, a sense of purpose, and moral convictions (and sometimes, connection to God or a higher power). 

People naturally search for meaning in life. We create stories to understand and find a place in the world. This gives us a sense of direction. Spiritual meaning-making refers to the stories we create to support the spiritual aspects of our lives (our purpose, direction, sense of self, etc.) 

Funding and support is provided by the John Templeton Foundation and Richmont Graduate University.

The John Templeton Foundation is a philanthropic organization that focuses on "funding research and catalyzing conversations that enable people to create lives of purpose and meaning." Their interest in this project stems from their mission to promote human flourishing. For more about the foundation, visit templeton.org. 

Richmont is a private, historically Christian university with campuses in Tennessee, Georgia, and online. It offers graduate degrees in counseling and ministry. The school is CACREP accredited which includes viewing each person as an individual uniquely created in the image of God. The university is invested in the spiritual health of all people and believes in the spiritual agency of each individual. Learn more about Richmont at richmont.edu/about. 

The program is designed to respect a variety of religious and spiritual positions. “Spirituality” can be broadly defined to refer to traits like feelings of connectedness, transcendence, a sense of purpose, and/or morality. Your spiritual health can be improved apart from your certainty about God, spiritual beings, or theological concepts. 

The focus will be on reconstructing healthy spirituality, but to get there, we often need to reflect on and process past harms. There will be space for that. 

Based on your answers, someone will reply to you within two weeks.