Wednesdays: An Ex-Pastor's Voyage into Unbelief

By all indicators, Pastor Steve was on a path to a successful career in the ministry. But deep in his soul a spiritual tempest was brewing. After a dramatic event while officiating a funeral service, the forceful and final wave of doubt came crashing down, resulting in his leaving the ministry, and eventually the faith all together. But this shipwreck did not end his life voyage. After years of being spiritually adrift, Steve reset his course, enabling him to navigate the waters of life without God at the helm. Couched in a non-argumentative fashion, An Ex-Pastor's Voyage into Unbelief details journey in and out of faith with many stories, insights, and humor, culminating with Steve's fifteen commandments that sets forth a practical and fruitful guideline to living a purposeful life as anon-believer. So, come aboard, cast off the lines, and join Steve on this exciting voyage.   One of the unique characteristics of Wednesdays is that it is written in a dialogue format between Steve and a pastor who is doing a research project on ministers who have left the Christian faith.  In a fast-moving autobiographical fashion, Steve begins by detailing his radical conversion to Jesus, his path to ordination with the American Baptist Churches of the USA, the planting of a new church, and his struggles with doubt which eventually leads to his exiting the ministry. The latter part of Wednesdays  paints a vivid picture of the difficulties an ex-pastor faces when trying to recalibrate his bearings so the rest of his voyage in life can be fruitful and productive. But like many pastors who have left the faith before him and gone on to experience successful lives, Steve shares how he had to cross many rough waters before he could enjoy calm seas. Another unique aspect of Wednesdays is the tone set forth in the book. Unlike our present political, social, and theological climate where excessive arguing and very little agreement are present, the book is not designed to persuade the reader to believe or not believe in the existence of God. Rather, the book's intent is twofold. First, it reveals how difficult it can be for a person to leave a faith that had sustained him for many years, especially when that person was in the ministry. Second, contrary to many influential voices within the community of faith, Wednesdays proclaims that a person can leave a once meaningful experience of belief and change course towards a successful voyage in life. So, whatever port you call home regarding belief in God, Wednesdays is enlightening and bound to make you contemplate your own voyage in life. Bon Voyage.