Beyond the Pews: Where the Spiritually-Oriented Are Gathering

 

Not everyone who seeks God sits in a sanctuary on Sunday morning. Across the country, a quiet shift is unfolding: people who identify as deeply spiritual are stepping outside traditional church walls. They’re not abandoning faith. They’re reimagining it.

Who Are They?

They’re the “spiritual but not religious.”
They’re the “dones”—those who once belonged to a church but left.
They’re mystics, meditators, wanderers, and wounded believers.
They’re people who still pray, still seek, still listen for the sacred—but not in pews.

Where Are They?

• Nature trails and quiet gardens, where the wind feels like a benediction.
• Online communities, where spiritual conversations unfold without dogma.
• Living rooms and coffee shops, where small circles gather for reflection, storytelling, and shared silence.
• Retreat centers, where solitude and soul work replace sermons.
• Art studios, yoga mats, and journals, where creativity becomes communion.

Why Did They Leave?

The reasons are as varied as the people themselves:

• Disillusionment with institutional religion—especially around exclusion, politics, or abuse.
• A hunger for authenticity, not performance.
• A desire for mystery, not certainty.
• A need for healing, not judgment.
• A longing for connection, not hierarchy.

Many still love Jesus. Many still read sacred texts. But they’ve outgrown the structures that once held them.

What Are They Finding?

They’re finding that God is not confined to buildings.
That silence can be sacrament.
That community can be chosen, not assigned.
That spiritual depth doesn’t require a bulletin or a pulpit.

They’re finding that the Spirit moves in wild places—and always has.

An Invitation

If you’re one of them, know this: you’re not alone.
If you’re in a church, consider this: the Body of Christ is bigger than the building.
This month, honor the seekers who walk a different path.
They may not be in pews, but they are still listening for the holy.

 a post inspired by Spiritually Homeless (Girrell)

Book description:

Many have walked away from organized religion not out of apathy, but out of honesty. Still the spiritual hunger remains; the longing for community and a place called home persists. Spiritually Homeless offers a deeply compassionate and practical guide for those navigating spiritual life beyond church walls. Whether you left organized religion years ago or never belonged to some sect to begin with, this book will meet you right where you are. Through stories, reflection, and decades of experience in spiritual leadership and psychological insight, Spiritually Homelesss explores how we find belonging, create ritual, face the dark night, and rediscover awe—without needing to return to doctrines that no longer fit.

keywords:

spiritual hunger; spiritual seekers; leaving organized religion; life beyond church; spiritual belonging; creating ritual; spirituality without religion; evangelical journey; spiritual community; finding awe; dark night of the soul; spiritual leadership; psychological insight and spirituality; religious trauma healing; faith deconstruction; reconstructing spirituality; compassionate spirituality; modern spiritual life; spiritual guidebook; spiritual homelessness

currently #6 on Amazon's list of hot new releases

in faith deconstruction

 

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Check out more at Kris Girrell's website.

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