Why I Left Christianity After 20 Years As a Megachurch Pastor

Use code CULTFREE at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad Dr. Todd Phillips spent decades preaching Christianity, leading megachurch congregations, and studying theology at the highest levels—until the very questions he hoped would strengthen his faith led him to stop believing. In this deeply personal conversation, Todd shares his journey from devoted Pastor to agnostic, the devastating emotional toll of losing everything he believed about God and heaven, and how he's rebuilding a life of purpose beyond religion. Watch our follow up LIVE stream with Todd: https://www.youtube.com/live/WlM_KI7NMD8?si=CIopvjSy_22P-iLV Find and support Dr. Todd Phillips | The Deconstructed Pastor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtoddphillips Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtoddphillips/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Drtoddphillips/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtoddphillips Join Decon/Recon: (for those questioning Christianity and navigating deconstruction) https://www.skool.com/deconrecon/about Chapter Marks 00:00:00 INTRO 00:01:33 Introduction to Dr. Todd Phillips 00:02:59 Growing Up Without a Strong Religious Identity 00:06:26 The Personal Crisis That Led Him to Christianity 00:09:07 A Friend Introduces Him to Jesus 00:11:37 The Spiritual Experience That Changed His Life 00:13:49 Sponsor Break 00:14:55 Re-examining His Powerful Conversion Experience 00:19:37 Was It God or the Human Brain? 00:21:22 Joining the Southern Baptist Church 00:23:38 Becoming a Devoted Christian and Entering Ministry 00:26:18 Studying Theology and Biblical Languages 00:27:38 How His First Ministry Began 00:35:40 Looking Back at the Sermons He Preached 00:41:29 From Growing Ministry to Megachurch Leadership 00:47:42 Life Inside Conservative Evangelical Christianity 00:50:04 Theological Education and Critical Thinking 00:53:27 Discovering Questions He Wasn't Allowed to Ask 00:58:45 His Missionary Work in Liberia 01:02:17 Beginning Eight Years of Deconstruction 01:05:05 Looking Back at Evangelism and Missionary Work 01:08:34 Why He No Longer Believes in God 01:13:14 Questioning Hell and Religious Truth Claims 01:18:54 The Devastating Emotional Cost of Losing Faith 01:23:42 Why He Supports People Who Question Religion 01:26:15 Building Community After Deconstruction 01:29:40 Where to Find Todd and His Community 01:30:20 Advice for People Questioning Their Beliefs 01:34:11 Closing Thoughts Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClips Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/ Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness https://www.tiktok.com/@cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon https://twitter.com/cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**