11. Seth A. Cain (Non-Denominational) - Deconstructing While Leading

In this raw conversation, Alexis Rice sits down with Seth A. Cain - a former non-denominational lead pastor (14+ years) whose ministry came to a breaking point when he was asked to resign after being open to performing a same-sex wedding.

Before we begin: to the pastors who are deconstructing - especially in American non-denominational spaces - I see you. When a pastor deconstructs, it’s not only grief. It can be livelihood on the line: reputation, housing, healthcare, decades of relationships, and the identity you built your life around.

The Sacred Slope is listened to in 50+ countries because Christianity doesn’t belong to one nation, one political party, or one expression. This is a space for the curious, the deconstructing, and the reconstructing - where LGBTQ+ inclusion is safe, women in leadership are affirmed, and we believe God loves all people with dignity and worth.

💬 In this episode:
• How Seth was “preaching love and acceptance” without being direct — until a real-life moment demanded integrity
• The phone call that changed everything: “Just pencil me in and I’ll figure out the rest”
• The cost of saying yes - and the heartbreak of “all are welcome” with a no-fly zone
• “Transcend and include,” deconstruction in real time, and why certainty can feel like “pillars in quicksand”
• A closing prayer for anyone who feels unseen, isolated, or rejected by church spaces

👤 About Our Guest
Seth A. Cain is a writer, speaker, and former pastor. “Everything is like Seth Andrew Cain,” including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. (@sethandrewcain)

🔗 Links & Resources (Books + Seth Online)

Seth links (all platforms):
 https://linktr.ee/sethacain

“But How’d You Get There?” (YouTube channel / playlist):
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCio30AwkmXzEwhAYoDtUKYA

To Give the Universe a Hug (book):
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMNRGBDC

Life Is Beautiful (book):
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WH56B9F

#Christianity #deconstruction #OpenAndAffirming #MentalHealth #ProgressiveChristianity #ProgressiveClergy #ChurchHurt #Exvangelical #LGBTQ #WomenInMinistry

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About The Sacred Slope
Where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.
For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity.
Come explore our global, diverse, inclusive Christian faith, deconstruction, and spiritual identity in a rapidly changing world. Through conversations with clergy, scholars, and cultural voices, the show creates space for people navigating faith after certainty, church harm, or political co-option of religion.

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🎧 Explore episodes & community: linktr.ee/TheSacredSlope
🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice
🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence
📬 Nominate a guest: [email protected]

🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿
Fruit of the Spirit: ❤️ love • 💫 joy • ☮️ peace • 🕊 patience • 💝 kindness • 🌿 goodness • 🙏 faithfulness • 🤲 gentleness • 💪 self-control