Used to Go to Church: Rethinking God on the Frontline of Life's Tragedies

by Nick Vleisides, Jim Palmer (Foreword)

Life can often be brutal, unjust, and fraught with emotional trauma. As a first responder chaplain for over 23 years, Nick Vleisides has experienced countless scenes of unbearable grief and pain. When asking the brokenhearted, Do you have a faith to help you through? the response in some form is almost always, Well, we used to go to church.




Blending first-hand accounts of tragedy with opportunity for raw self-examination and reflection, Vleisides delves into the realm of spirituality and belief amid loss and despair. For the spiritual but not religious, who want to pursue God outside the walls of organized religion, Used to Go to Church is an invitation to rethink faith and open up to a life centered on grace, mercy, and love.

248 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2020

About the author

Born in Southern California. Law Enforcement and Fire Chaplain. Author. Peer Support Team Member. Ex-Pastor. Ex- Volunteer Firefighter/EMT. Dirt biker. Mountain biker. Skier. Fisherman. Husband. Father. Friend. God Seeker.

Reviews

[Kate Ivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As a trauma therapist working with clients in the aftermath of their tragedies, so often a client’s spirituality is deeply impacted by trauma and suffering. I grew up in the Christian church and nothing has caused me to question my beliefs as much as sitting with these clients and hearing how the church has harmed them in the midst of their grief and suffering, and how often church doctrine fails to really meet those that are suffering in their grief. The experiences this author shares are devastating and heart wrenching, and yet he has come through it all with such a deep love and awareness of God that defies many traditional Christian doctrines/theology. It was SO refreshing and important for me to read this book.

[Jo Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read

Loved the honesty of the book. It is well written and uses real stories to convey a good message. Highly recommend this book.