Sarah McCammon examines the evangelical church and those that have left in The Exvangelicals. This book is both a history of evangelicalism, the move of some in the community to leave, as well as a memoir about the author's experiences in that community.

Coming in to this book, I was not aware of the term exvangelical, and I mostly picked this up as I knew McCammon's work in political in NPR, primarily during the 2016 campaign. I vaguely knew about her history as an evangelical, and she was primarily tasked with covering the GOP presidential campaign.

I appreciated that she was upfront that this was focusing on the white evangelical church. The term exvangelical is really about white folks leaving. When the author spoke with Black congregants they did not identify with the term, especially as many would not even lump them in with evangelicals.

She charts how politics and the 2016 election was a turning point for the church, where people either leaned in or left. People started saying the quiet parts out loud and the church became more explicitly political.

An important note that she touched on was the trauma that many who grew up in the church dealt with and how it was often minimalized. And like much complex trauma (physical and emotional), many need therapy to process. She also highlights how different evangelicals deal (or don't deal) with family they leave behind. I also appreciated how McCammon lays out the reasons why she left the church. Her relationship with her grandfather who was ostracized from her family was particularly moving. While I did not learn a lot new about evangelicals, this book did highlight an interesting and diverse subset that I do not hear a lot about.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

Phenomenal! Sarah McCammon’s The Exvangelicals is so well written that one races through the pages, all the while amazed by her accomplishment of the seemingly impossible: she has authored an enjoyable read that effectively informs and establishes the urgency and relevance of the post-evangelical movement, a contemporarily complex, emotionally charged subject, and she delivers with care and without diatribe.

In The Exvangelicals, McCammon converts controversy, division and disillusionment into an insightful and literate call for self-examination and compassion. This is a title that should be shelved widely across our arbitrary divisions, as it is a contemporary history book, a memoir, a spiritual quest, a letter of encouragement to both believers and seekers, and a graceful yet steely reminder of the horrors inherent when harmful acts are performed in the name of holy intentions.

The tone is serious, the message that we must all do better, be better, whatever our path chosen, underlies all, yet somehow McCammon's mix of referenced sources and thoughtful commentary, with her personal and professional experiences interwoven throughout, have the reader feeling an often elusive inspiration: that with willingness to change (and the actual effort to do so), there just might be hope for us all.

The Exvangelicals also has an extensive further reading list, by topic, and enthusiastic use of endnotes that readers who wish to expand their understanding further will appreciate.

An essential read (and wonderful hand-selling opportunity), regardless of reader age, faith, race, gender, or any other subgroup or division we humans may use, now or in future, to separate ourselves from one another.

Thank you to Shelf Awareness for the ARC I received and read to write this review, and to NetGalley for the ERC and audiobook I received thereafter. I eagerly await this title’s release date this month, as I have personally preordered yet another iteration for the finalized further reading list plus endnotes and to support Sarah McCammon’s valuable contribution towards informed compassionate change.

The Exvangelicals was a balance between being McCammon's memoir and a study in how those raised in the evangelical church are impacted. While McCammon shares a bit about her upbringing in the church, she also bridges the gap by quoting others who are dealing with their break from evangelical churches. She speaks with those who are still Christians and those who have left Christianity altogether. I found her perspective to be interesting. She acknowledges the positives of the evangelical movement, but also loops that in to explain why it contributes to the trauma of leaving the church or "deconstructing" as many call it.

This was a very tough book for me to read. Not because of the writing; the writing was interesting but efficient, and well-organized. Not because of the writer's tone; the author is a reporter from NPR and did a great job of being neutral and even-handed when discussing experiences other than her own. In the same vein, the author was warm and personable when discussing her history in the Evangelical subculture. It was tough because I know people who have suffered greatly because of living in that subculture. I knew a lot from what they had shared, but really, I had no idea.

Ms. McCammon has a well-organized arc to the story she tells; it parallels her experiences growing up as an Evangelical in Kansas. She details what she was taught, how she was treated, what was expected of her, and what she honestly believed at the time. Adding to that, she brings in complementary experiences of others and other factual material, such as direct quotes from home schooling material published by Bob Jones University. Factual assertions are end-noted and are of solid material. This is not a book in which the author cites their own material as a source; I just suffered through one of those. No, this is a journalistic work worth reading.

The one thing that struck me like a lightning bolt when partially through the book is that some Evangelicals lie a lot. Certainly not every person, BUT the leaders will tell the people they lead whatever they need to to control their behavior. It's all about POWER. McCammon reaches this conclusion and I think it is dead-on. My experience with terribly damaged 20-somethings who left, and with their domineering, abusive evangelical parents (now 70ish) COMPLETELY fits with what Ms. McCammon has written. I was frequently nauseous as I worked out mysterious past events that I personally witnessed using information in the text. And, one of those parents I know is a pathological liar in addition to being abusive... and so, the puzzle pieces drop into place. I wish I had a time-turner or a time machine; I would absolutely have put a stop to the purported abuse to which this new information gives supporting evidence.

Thank you to Sarah McCammon for her bravery in writing this; and also to her, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an uncorrected e-galley of the text of this book. Thank you. As usual, St. Martin's Press has provided a spotless galley; such a joy to read compared to others. I have received nothing for my review and have given my honest opinion of this work.

I am withholding a formal review until St. Martin's Press & its subsidiaries take accountability. #speakupsmp

Thought provoking book.

Sarah McCammon writes a book that is partially a memoir of her own experiences surrounding evangelicalism, and partially an examination of the people who are leaving the evangelical church, their reasons for doing so, and where they are now with their faith. She speaks very critically (and rightly so in my opinion) about James Dobson and Focus on the Family, which was the preeminent authority figure during the 80s-early 2000s, right at the time I was personally growing up and then raising my children. McCammon also touches on topics such as science, the end times, politics (primarily white nationalism and the evangelical adoration of Donald Trump), and what it truly means to walk away from evangelicalism. It is a community, it is a family, and many who have walked away have lost the support of their family and community.

There is so much food for thought and discussion in this book. While I agreed with a good amount of it, I disagreed with some of it--and that's okay. When you are raised in and participating in evangelical Christianity, it is almost unheard of to ask questions, to disagree, to examine things from a different point of view. McCammon encourages people to look at what is being preached about, taught, and espoused and critically think about things with perspective. I think this book would be an excellent jump off point for those who want to wrestle with issues surrounding the Christian church. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and as she is a reporter with NPR, her narration is skillful.

I related to this book more than I thought I would. Although I currently attend an evangelical church in a predominantly white area, I feel as if things have changed in my church over the past ten years. The current pastor of my church is pragmatic and scientific, he examines the Bible in light of science, not the other way around. He never speaks of anything political from the pulpit other than the broad mention of praying for our leaders. This isn't to say I think it's a perfect church, there are definitely issues and things I struggle with personally, but due to what I mentioned above I have not felt like I needed to become an "exvangelical" as this author writes about.

I know this book already has its critics, and I'm sure that's to be expected when you are saying things that challenge the status quo of a powerful organization. I have long said that the basis of my faith is to love others, period. I have struggled and lost friends over that point of view, simple as it is. If you have any experience with the evangelical church, I encourage you to pick this book up and use it as a springboard for self examination and discussion. Because if your God can't take the questions, is it really God?

I read a review that this book didn’t “go far enough,” but I actually appreciated that Sarah McCammon kept it to a journalistic lens while sprinkling in her own childhood and experiences. If I wanted to share this book with family &/or friends while trying to explain my aversion to the “evangelical” self-title and my disgust toward Trump and what he’s done to our country, I wouldn’t want a book that’s too extreme. McCammon dove into the rise in hatred since trump’s presidency and the hypocrisy within religion which leads to my talking points on backing away from evangelicals on the whole. I appreciated all the different interviews and the wide range of viewpoints and that it wasn’t all Christian-bashing. Overall, I believe that my parents and my childhood community were doing what they felt best, and I can grapple with my upbringing on other terms outside the acknowledgement that a lot of that community I mostly look back on with fondness has genuinely gone off the rails. It’s hard to articulate why I feel so frustrated and saddened by people I once admired and I felt like The Exvangelicals really put my thoughts into words incredibly. I will definitely be recommending it.

Woah. I was not ready for this book, but am I ever glad I read it. In her compelling and rigorously researched book, "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church," journalist Sarah McCammon delves into the heart of a seismic social movement: the exodus of people from the white evangelical church. Part memoir, part investigative journalism, this work provides a poignant and insightful exploration of faith, doubt, and the unraveling of deeply ingrained beliefs.

Growing up in the Midwest during the '80s and '90s, McCammon was steeped in the evangelical tradition. She was taught to fear God, obey unquestioningly, and view the world through a narrow theological lens. Her upbringing was marked by persistent worries: Would her gay grandfather be condemned to hell? Could she save her Muslim friend from damnation? And what about her own salvation?

As McCammon matured, her worldview expanded. She grappled with questions that clashed with her evangelical upbringing. These internal conflicts intensified when she covered the Trump campaign for NPR, witnessing firsthand the political influence wielded by evangelical Christian beliefs. It was during this time that she discovered she was part of a rising generation (the children of evangelicalism) who were questioning, deconstructing, and ultimately leaving the fold.

"The Exvangelicals" introduces us to this generational tipping point. McCammon shares her own journey alongside those of others who have walked away from the white evangelical church. She meticulously traces the movement's origins, revealing the emotional toll on those who've left and the role of social media in facilitating their deconstruction.

The book sheds light on the complexities of leaving a faith community. McCammon dissects the lasting emotional impacts, the struggle for authenticity, and the complicated choices faced by exvangelicals. Through interviews, personal anecdotes, and deep research, she paints a vivid picture of life inside the evangelical bubble and the courage it takes to step outside.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of the post-evangelical movement's vast cultural, social, and political impact. McCammon examines how exvangelicals navigate relationships with family, friends, and former church communities. She explores the tension between newfound freedom and the loss of a familiar identity. The stories she shares are both heartbreaking and empowering.

McCammon's writing is compassionate and incisive. She captures the nuances of faith transitions: the grief, the relief, the loneliness, and the exhilaration. Her exploration of the role of social media in fostering community among exvangelicals is particularly enlightening. Online spaces provide solace, validation, and a sense of belonging for those who no longer fit within the evangelical framework.

As a memoirist, McCammon bares her own doubts, fears, and moments of clarity. Her vulnerability invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys. She doesn't shy away from the messiness of deconstruction—the messy beauty of rebuilding one's beliefs from scratch.

This is a timely and necessary addition to the conversation about faith, doubt, and religious identity. It challenges us to examine the power structures within organized religion and to honour the courage of those who choose authenticity over conformity. Whether you've left the church, are questioning your faith, or simply seek to understand this growing movement, McCammon's book offers valuable insights and empathy.

"The Exvangelicals" is a compassionate and illuminating exploration of a movement that is reshaping the religious landscape. McCammon's voice is a beacon for those who've found their way out of the fold, and her work invites us all to consider what it means to live authentically, even when it requires leaving behind the familiar.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

one of my few non-fiction reads and, even more rare, a faith-related read for me. only recently have I felt ready to read on this subject matter and I’m so glad it was this one. Sarah McCammon, a journalist and NPR correspondent, shares others & her own experience in leaving the white evangelical church. it felt so validating to hear SUCH similar experiences & thoughts from someone who grew up and out of these spaces. whether you feel like an exvangelical and/or someone who is deconstructing or decolonizing their faith, it can easily feel isolating when you divest from a familiar place of identity. I’m not too familiar with resources like this but this helped me feel less alone in these thoughts & experiences.

McCammon talks about the familiar names I used to revere and the resources and voices I’ve come to gravitate towards now, like Stephanie Stalvey’s illustrated comics on purity culture & Tyler Burns & Jemar Tisby’s podcast Pass the Mic.

this won’t be a neat pile of reasons why people left church. this well researched journey reads less like a textbook and more like the collective experience that left so many feeling alone in white evangelical spaces.

if you’ve felt any ounce of cringe or discomfort from evangelical christian spaces growing up or looking back, this might be worth a read to see if something resonates. I hope more stories, studies, and resources like this one continue to get published and end up in the hands of those who need it.

Part Memoir part journalistic piece, Sarah McCammon sheds light on a movement that has been going on behind the scenes of Evangelical churches. Many who grew up in these circles are coming to terms with what they have been taught about the world and the reality of their adult lives.

This book was a very interesting read. In this book we hear from someone who grew up evangelical, but is now self described as an exvangelical. So many controversial topics are covered, like sexuality, purity culture, politics, the LGBTQIA+ community, and abuse and religious trauma, with details and also sensitivity.
I appreciated how the author, a journalist, approached the evangelical culture from a journalists perspective, but did take a star off because I wish she had chosen to write it purely as her memoir, or as a piece of journalism, the going back and forth between the two styles felt a bit disjointed to me. That being said it was an interesting read and one I’d recommend to someone wondering how the far right has been formed and how they are rising in political power. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

Insightful. I have extended family who would consider themselves Evangelical and I have always wondered they do certain things. This book was eye opening and gave me that understanding.

Between growing up in the evangelical world and covering the Trump campaign, Sarah McCammon certainly had the background to write this book. I believe her journalistic credentials allowed her to present a balanced viewpoint. Though I was not raised in an evangelical religion, I was drawn to them as an adult until becoming disillusioned with the scandals and hypocrisy. It was interesting to learn so much more about figures such as James Dobson and Joshua Harris. In fact, I could see many parallels between the evangelicals and Jehovah's Witnesses. We all need to be more respectful and accepting of people's differences. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

I wish I could shove this book into so many people's hands to tell them that there is a way out and there are people who can help you!

The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church by Sarah McCammon

Part memoir part sociopolitical study - this book was meticulously researched and showcased the author’s investigative journalism skills. This author used her own experiences and pulled from other Evangelical followers’ experiences to illustrate the exvangelical movement.

We’ve all heard the adage - never discuss religion and politics… but this book did both. Because Evangelicalism is more than a religion, this book explored the Evangelical church and politics, racism, sexuality, trauma, discipline, and education (to name a few).

The author did a great job forwarding the discussion about deconstruction and some of the reasons that it is happening. I found her to be very respectful of religion while also sharing some critiques. I would’ve preferred more memoir instead of the heavy-handed journalistic “current events” lens. I was expecting something more along the lines of Educated by Tara Westover, but it was not.

I would recommend this read to those who enjoy books that are written in a journalistic way or books that explore religion and culture. Check out trigger warnings before diving in and take care of yourself before, during, and after reading.

I actually read this in ebook for mat and also listened to the audiobook, in hopes that the author's story or experiences or general point of view would become clearer, but it did not. It felt disjointed, like a random collection of essays about the same topic as opposed to a coherent narrative with a thruline. I was actually confused by the end as to what the narrator's feelings were about the Evangelical church.

arah McCammon, the author, is a reporter for NPR. She grew up in a very conservative, evangelical home, attending Christian school and college, where the Bible was infallible, science didn't matter, free choice didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was what her pastor, her teachers and her parents taught her. When one's belief system allows no skepticism, no allowance for change, it makes it more plausible that one will only accept the “facts” that suit your narrative, regardless of their accuracy. Many stay because if they leave they will be shunned, abandoned by all they have held dear for their entire lives. She had a grandfather, ostracized by her family. He was a scientist, gay and an atheist. She was rarely allowed contact with him because he was seen as a sinner.

When she went out into the real world, her beliefs were put to the test. McCammon was a reporter following Trump as early as 2016. Their beliefs should have lined up, right? McCammon started to see the cracks in the Christian evangelical movement.

She uses a lot of her own life story and experiences to tie into the greater leaving from conservative evangelical churches. Churches that do not welcome anyone seen as "different" from what they have been taught to believe or force out those whose lifestyles are not on the approval list. These churches often lack compassion, concern for fellow man and follow Trump as their lord and master, all the while holding up the Bible as the infallible word, forgetting what the New Testament taught about loving and caring for others.

McCammon is preaching to the choir with this work. Perhaps it will make those who have left or are thinking of leaving more comfortable in their choices and make them feel less alone.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for my advance copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

MY REVIEW:
Growing up in an evangelical family in the Midwestern US in the 1980's and 90's, Sarah McCammon was immersed in a world of obedience to God and to her religious tradition as interpreted by its leaders. As she grew and matured, she began to see the dissonance between that worldview and her own experiences and observations, a process that eventually led to her joining an increasing number of individuals from her generation and others declaring themselves to be Exvangelicals. This book is an engaging combination of memoir and investigative journalism for all audiences, ranging from the curious to those who find themselves somewhere along the same journey as McCammon.

As someone who was raised in an evangelical tradition, I found SO MUCH to relate to in this book. McCammon's reflections and discoveries were interesting and factual--and seeing that someone else also went through what I did and has had the same reaction to it validated my own experience as well. The combination of memoir and investigative journalism helped put into words my personal journey, helping step back and put into words in an impersonal way what I and so many others have felt. I did not at any time feel that this was a "church-bashing" or even "preachy" work, rather a respectful and responsible reflection her own story as a case study of a larger socio-religious journey--a case, if you will, for why so many people leave evangelicalism. Each person experiences spirituality and society through their own worldview, and I especially related to McCammon's observations on her own.

Triggers: religious triggers (much of the book is centered around these, including various types of abuse)

It felt like this book couldn’t decide if it was journalism or memoir and so it missed the mark on either. I did find it interesting regardless and will recommend it.