The Shift: Surviving and Thriving after Moving from Conservative to Progressive Christianity

by Colby Martin

Overview

When Christians are kicked out of their conservative churches or leave because they no longer feel at home, they embark on a journey of freedom and fear, love and loneliness, empowerment and pain. The movement from conservative to progressive Christianity is a serious shift. Colby Martin has traversed this treacherous territory, survived its hardships, and is now turning around to share what he's learned.

This book is a friendly survival guide to help followers of Jesus navigate the strange and confusing landscape when shifting from conservative to progressive Christianity. This book will prepare progressive Christians (from long-time progressives to those just starting out) for the pitfalls awaiting them as they shift out of their conservative world, and it will equip them for a more abundant, thriving, and peace-filled spiritual life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506455501
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	04/21/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Colby Martin is cofounder of Sojourn Grace Collective in San Diego, California, and cohost of the Kate and Colby Show. He is a leading voice in the progressive Christian movement and helps lead Launchpad Partners, Inc., which seeks to plant and resource progressive Christian communities across the United States. He is also the author of UnClobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality.

Table of Contents

Introduction: It's Kind of Like a Survival Guide 8

Chapter 1 What Happened to My Faith? 15

Nothing. You've Still Got It, and It's Working Great

Chapter 2 Forsaking the Foundation of Certainty 27

Letting Go of the Need to Get It Right

Chapter 3 Six Tools for Survival 39

Packing for the Wilderness of Progressive Christianity

Chapter 4 Talking, Thinking, and Feeling about God 53

What to Do When the idea of God Stops Making Sense

Chapter 5 Believing (in?) Jesus 69

What to Do with the Question "Who Is Jesus?"

Chapter 6 Inspired by Old, Dusty Books 89

What to Do with the Bible

Chapter 7 I Can't Stand Church … Where Can I Find One? 105

What to Do with Your Love/Hate Relationship with Church

Chapter 8 Waging the War Within 123

What to Do When Your Old Self Sabotages Your Efforts to Grow

Chapter 9 Relax, You've Come so Far 139

What to Do When You're Mortified by Your Past Beliefs and Behavior

Chapter 10 Shaking the Dust from Old Relationships 155

What to Do with Your Conservative (and "Concerned") Family and Friends

Chapter 11 When Progressives Attack 171

What to Do When Fellow Progressives Get Critical

Chapter 12 Stay Open, My Friends 189

Why I Remain a Christian

Editorial Reviews

"The Shift is a practical, heartfelt guide about how to find life after loss, peace after pain, and healing after spiritual wounding. If you're wondering how to begin again with a new, wider faith: start right here." —Glennon Doyle, New York Times bestselling author of Untamed and Love Warrior; founder of Together Rising

"Christians already on the path of change will find this a well-written, thoughtful road map...Martin's welcoming words will be of comfort to any Christian looking for alternatives to conservative Christianity." —Publishers Weekly

"Colby Martin has been a trusted guide through the many spiritual landmines our generation has grappled with. In The Shift, he creates a sturdy path to walk upon as many of us venture away from the old forms of faith we once knew and into new, sometimes disorienting territory." —Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author of Of Mess and Moxie and For the Love; host of the For the Love Podcast

"There's so much wisdom, so much compassion, and so much encouragement packed into these pages...I know you'll love The Shift!" —Brian McLaren, author and speaker

"Readers looking to reexamine their assumptions and beliefs will find much encouragement here, as will those seeking an excellent example guidance. A beneficial resource for anyone moving from conservative to progressive Christian communities." —Library Journal

"A must-read for anyone on the path of moving from conservative to progressive Christianity, this book offers unbounded help as you go along your journey." —Brit Barron, author of Worth It

From the Publisher