Finding the Good Shepherd in Deconstruction
In today’s complex and shifting world, what defines a good leader? And as a Christian leader in the Pacific Northwest, how can I embody a healthy, mature approach to guiding others in faith during such uncertain times? Reflecting on these questions led me to choose Invisible Jesus, a new book by Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips, for this week’s leadership reading. This text came recommended by a fellow pastor, one who knows the challenges we’re facing as church leaders in this region. The book, timely and relevant, addresses the evolving landscape of evangelical Christianity and the notable trends of decline, deconstruction, and re-engagement in American churches today.
Both McKnight and Philips are long time American pastors, observing the changes and trends within evangelical Christianity over the past decades in America. They write in response to a growing trend of decline in engagement within American churches and seek to better understand what might be happening in this time in place in the religious and spiritual lives of Americans.
The central thesis of this book, however, is what was most compelling to me about this text. Rather than continuing to bemoan the exodus of people from organized churches or throw up their hands in despair of people “walking away from the faith”, McKnight and Phillips have reframed our perspective on this issue to invite us to see this period of deconstruction as a gift to the church at large, to people walking through times of deconstruction and to the leaders and pastors that are in relationship with people who are going through this. Furthermore, they challenge us to see deconstruction as conversion. They believe that, “deconstruction is not, as many religious leaders have suggested, something born of evil that must be denounced. We believe the work of deconstruction is often born of the Spirit, a movement of God attempt to bring the church back to Jesus.”[1]
This central thesis stood out to me particularly because we have been studying the history of Evangelicalism and conversion is one of the central tenets of classical Evangelicalism according to Bebbington. Is it possible that a new wave of revival could be coming to the American church, but in a completely different form that the crusades and tent meetings of previous centuries? Perhaps revival is coming through the throwing off of religious structures and systems that have intertwined themselves with the commodifying and anti-Gospel principles of capitalism and consumerism and a new movement of Jesus-centered believers is emerging in the ashes of deconstruction?
Phillips and McKnight suggest a new way forward for leaders who are walking with people on this faith journey. In this book, they provide a map for us as we meet people where they are. The reason this book is critical to leadership is that leadership begins with listening and is responsive to the people that are entrusting us to lead them.
The most impactful chapter of this book for me was the chapter on seeing Jesus as a shepherd. In light of the many examples of spiritual and pastoral abuse that are causing people to re-examine their faith and trust in Jesus, this chapter offers a way forward of humility and hope. This powerful metaphor has been used many times in Scripture and is a central metaphor in American Christianity. It also reflects that leadership ethos that I seek to live out in my life and ministry. How can I be a life-giving source to those around me? How can I lead them to places where they can experience abundant life, sustenance and safety in order for them to flourish and fulfill the roles and vocations God has called them to? McKnight and Phillips text has given me a road map for walking alongside people who are going through the important work of seriously examining their faith and deepening their search for the ultimate Good Shepherd. They write that Jesus, “wants his followers to look at how he leads with love, grace, humility, and mercy so they can understand that these are the marks of what all good leaders should be. Jesus resets the template for what a leader looks like.”[2]
This text has left me more hopeful as a leader in a world where churches and pastors are wrestling with seismic shifts in the way the church and faith is being expressed today. It has given me tools to walk with people going through different parts of their spiritual journey. It has reframed the discussion on a national level, moving the voices of those deconstructing to a prophetic position in the emerging post-Covid, post-Christendom American Christianity. May we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to our churches.
[1] McKnight, Phillips. Invisible Jesus. 2
[2] McKnight, Phillips. Invisible Jesus. 163
About the Author
Ryan Thorson
Follower of Jesus. Husband. Father. Pastor. Coach. I am passionate about helping people discover the gift of Sabbath and slow down spirituality in the context of our busy world.7 responses to “Finding the Good Shepherd in Deconstruction”
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Ryan,
Sounds like a good book. I never really considered deconstruction a negative term. Working in a university setting, I think it is a healthy and necessary process for our students to navigate in order to own their faith. When you spoke of the exodus from the church I immediately thought of the people we lost during COVID and not necessarily those who left because they are disgruntled with the church. I appreciate your enjoyment of seeing Jesus as a shepherd. As pastor, I know that you see yourself in that role. You quote McKnight and Phillips saying that Jesus, “wants his followers to look at how he leads with love, grace, humility, and mercy so they can understand that these are the marks of what all good leaders should be.” As a pastor and shepherd, how can you get your members to fulfill that quote? Does that involve some deconstruction of their own beliefs?
Hi Ryan, sounds like a good read! I agree that deconstruction can be a gift of the Spirit to bring people back to Jesus. I’ve had seasons of tearing down old beliefs, only to have the Spirit rebuild new ones that are rooted in truth. For pastors walking with people going through the journey of deconstruction, do you have any tips on how to shepherd them well?
Hi Ryan,
How can contemporary leaders incorporate the metaphor of Jesus as a shepherd in their approach to guide and support those going through faith deconstruction? Where do you land on this?
Thanks for telling me about this book Ryan. Since you resonated most strongly with the chapter about being a shepherd, can you recall someone from your personal story who acted as a shepherd for you? What long-term impact did that have?
Hi Ryan, The message you have is simple yet profound. Jesus is the ultimate example of a good leader and he: “wants his followers to look at how he leads with love, grace, humility, and mercy so they can understand that these are the marks of what all good leaders should be.” As you walk with people living through a period of deconstruction, what are some of those tools that you took from your reading
Hey Ryan! It looks like you took us to the well for a good read! As you mentioned about the tools to walk with people who are going through. What do you see
as a major takeaway that you will use for application? Sometimes there is a tendency to feel ill equipped given the constant cultural and climate changes.
Ryan, in your reflections on Scot McKnight and Tommy Preston Phillips’ insights regarding deconstruction as a potential movement of the Spirit, you mentioned practical tools for helping people navigate different parts of their spiritual journey. How can church leaders effectively navigate the tension between upholding traditional theological foundations and engaging in transformative conversations among those deconstructing their faith? Did you find anything presented in this book as troubling or concerning?