Deconstructing

Leaving Church, Finding Faith

By: Karla Kamstra

Narrated by: Karla Kamstra

This program is read by the author.

A gentle, wise guide for everyone deconstructing their beliefs and struggling with the role of faith in their life

As a “good Christian,” Karla Kamstra attended church every Sunday, listened to the pastor, and committed to functions and activities. But no amount of participation could shake her growing sense of spiritual unrest. As time went on, she realized that she was doing Christianity on autopilot—going through the motions, but spiritually checked out.

She finally understood that the rules of the church were keeping God inside a too-small box, and it was time to let "Him" out. And so Karla embarked upon her sacred journey of deconstruction: healing her religious trauma and reclaiming her spirituality.

Now, Rev Karla shares her journey in this wise, gentle guide to help anyone struggling with the role of faith in their lives. Listeners are called to demolish the oppressive, patriarchal structure upon which their faith has been built, repair what experiences with dysfunctional and destructive religion may have done to them, and restore their hearts and souls. DECONSTRUCTING will lead listeners from silent obedience to sacred empowerment, from religious dogma to spiritual freedom, from toxic theology to authentic faith. For anyone chafing against the confines of church doctrine—it's time to release God from the rules.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press Essentials.

©2024 Karla Kamstra (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Interfaith minister and Tiktok creator Kamstra recounts her departure from 'organized Christianity' in this empathetic debut guide to breaking free from “high-control” religion and finding a new spirituality... Throughout, Kamstra is unfailingly candid about her own spiritual questions.... She never downplays the challenges inherent in deconstructing one’s religious beliefs, making her an excellent guide for those with similar questions. This is a valuable resource."—Publishers Weekly

"Deconstructing is a moving and intimate personal account of demolishing, repairing, and restoring faith. There are a lot of folks out there who can criticize the Bible and the church, and who can speak endlessly about deconstruction, and Rev Karla can hang with the best of them, but she offers something that others cannot: a map and a model for bringing the pieces back together to reconstruct a richer, a deeper, and a more enduring faith. A large portion of the deconstruction community has been asking for a resource just like this, and it will no doubt be an indispensable guide for many through the mental and emotional labor of leaving church to find faith."—Dan McClellan, biblical scholar, author, and TikTok personality

"There is a powerful shift happening as indoctrinated religious beliefs are being dismantled. Karla Kamstra is a guiding voice, offering hope and direction to those questioning their religious origins. Her words are like medicine and give courage to those who have been hurt or disoriented by a too narrow, and at times abusive, interpretation of spirituality."—Edward Viljoen, author of Ordinary Goodness