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About the Book
Book title: Wounded in the Church
Author: Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward
Release date: March 14, 2017
Genre: Non-fiction
Church should be a safe place, right? Then why do so many get hurt there?
Ray Beeson and Chris Hayward combine their years of ministry experience to address head-on the elephant in the room: church members and church leaders hurt Christians. All the time. And the long-lasting effects—rejection, shame, despair, loneliness, fear—can be devastating. The authors have witnessed the rise of the “dones,” those who are just done with God thanks to scars from church.
With first-person stories of hurt and loss, this book is a wake-up call for any who deny woundedness in the church but is also a redemptive message for any who hurt from church wounds. Leaders and laypeople alike will learn how to grieve over abuse, to leave unhealthy attitudes and patterns that cause pain, and to trust in God’s real, delivering work through churches that build up, not tear down.
Thanks to the grace of God, there is always hope beyond the pain.
My Review:
"Wounded In The Church" by Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward is a book that is written very straightforward and it is easily understood. I was happy to find that it wasn't written in a manner that was technical at all.This book has personal stories from real life that shows that people have been hurt from others in the church. This book offers help to those that have been hurt. I think we all have been hurt to some degree whether by mistake or carelessness or neglect or purposely, and there is help for overcoming the hurt. I also think we ourselves have probably been on the other end of the hurting and delivered hurt to others to some degree whether by mistake or carelessness or neglect or purpose. This book offers help to us also by making us more aware of where we are less careful than we need to be.
I especially like the appendix A which lists lies and doctrines that are not Scriptural, and what is really good about this list is that after the lie is listed, the authors give the verses to support why it is a lie. I recommend this book to anyone that has been hurt in the church and as a church member and a Christian I am sorry to say that the number is way higher than it should be. I am glad that I have this book and can use it for future reference, and yes, this is one book that I underlined key points, and wanted to underline more but I stopped myself because I loan out my books. I was given a complimentary copy by the authors and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
About the Authors
Ray Beeson is the director of Overcomers Ministries, a teaching ministry with a special emphasis on spiritual warfare and prayer. Ray teaches seminars on spiritual warfare, prayer, and Christlike living and is the author of numerous books including Signed in His Blood (Charisma House, 2014) and The Hidden Price of Greatness (Overcomers, 2000). Ray and his wife, Linda, live in Ventura, CA.
Chris Hayward has had over thirty-six years of pastoral ministry and is currently serving as president of Cleansing Stream Ministries, a discipleship ministry that works with the local church around the world. He is also the author of God’s Cleansing Stream (Chosen Books, 2004) and The End of Rejection(Chosen Books, 2007). Chris and his wife, Karen, live in Castaic, CA.
Guest Post from Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward
When we tell people we’ve written a book entitled “Wounded in the Church,” many nod knowingly. Sadly, the pain and heartache that happens in churches is all too common. Collectively, the two of us have spent more than 70 years in ministry. During that time we have seen neglect, tactlessness, and blatant insensitivity fostered by some leaders and congregations resulting in the wounding of others. We realize it is not prolific in every church, but the wounding is significant and it needs to be exposed. That is why we wrote this book – we share real stories of real people who were wounded in church, a place that should be a shelter of God’s love and peace. Sometimes people are abused by leaders or church members. There are also times when leaders are abused by people within the congregation. As you read, perhaps you’ll identify with some of the situations described. If so, be assured you are not alone. If you have been wounded, it is our hope and prayer God uses this book to facilitate healing. Because of Jesus Christ, there is hope beyond the pain.
Blog Stops
July 27: Reading Is My SuperPower
July 27: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
July 28: A Reader’s Brain
July 29: cherylbbookblog
July 29: Mary Hake
July 30: Moments Dipped in Ink
July 31: Remembrancy
August 1: Carpe Diem
August 2: Books, Books, and More Books.
August 3: History, Mystery & Faith
August 4: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
August 4: Just the Write Escape
August 5: The Power of Words
August 6: A Baker’s Perspective
August 7: Just Jo’Anne
August 8: Lots of Helpers
August 8: God’s Little Bookworm
Giveaway
To celebrate this tour, Whitaker House is giving away
Grand Prize: Kindle Fire and Wounded in the Church by Ray Beeson and Chris Hayward
First Place Prize: Walking by Faith mug with matching pen OR Bouquet of Blessings mug and Wounded in the Church
Second Place Prize: Walking By Faith pen and Wounded in the Church
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bb6f
This book sounds like something every Christian and church goer should read. Who hasn't been hurt along the way. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Debbie. From all the reviews I've read for Wounded in the Church this book should be read by all.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteSo want to read this book. Thanks for sharing it on your blog..
ReplyDeleteI pray that those in leadership positions will wake-up to the fact they may be spiritually harming souls for whom Christ died.
ReplyDelete