About the Book
Book title: Wounded in the Church
Author: Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward
Release date: March 14, 2017
Genre: Non-fictionChurch 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
Taking a departure from my regular fiction, Wounded in the Church was a eye-opening and healing read. Among a difficult subject, a Light of Hope emerges. I, like most, have had personal experiences of wounding as I tend to be a people-pleaser myself and feel like if I'm asked to do something by a person in church, it must mean God wants me to do it as well. The theme of rejection being felt by people in the church was a very real one and a very difficult subject. One that I am glad our authors were brave enough to tackle and give a name. So many end up leaving church because they don't feel welcome in the first place- it's a travesty that Christians in general need to acknowledge and ask the Lord to help them conquer whether they have been hurt or are the persecutor. Because of God's grace alone, we are able to overcome the hurt, rejection, and even the realization that perhaps we are the person wounding others. While the title does not sound pleasant, the reality is one that needs to be dealth with. And what a blessing to know that the reality of pain can be overcome and healed through the power and grace of our Lord. Thank you Mr. Beeson & Hayward for giving rejection in the church a name, and reminding us that we serve a risen Savior who holds the key to unlocking it all!
I received this book for free and all opinions given 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
Human nature is a powerful thing. Sadly, so many folks that call themselves Christians show more of their human side than their Christlike side. I know that I myself pray for forgiveness daily. rw620 AT aol DOT com
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Robin. And, forgiveness is such a huge part of the Christian walk. Ray and I addressed the issue of forgiveness in a big way in the book - especially on how to forgive someone who will never ask for forgiveness..
DeleteIndeed! Forgiveness is key!
DeleteThe biggest challenge, I think, is to address the hurts and wounds of the wounded in such a way that healing begins to take place. Part of the book is addressing the pain, but most of the book is dedicated to providing answers. In retrospect it would be good for every believer to be aware of the how to help those who have experienced pain and give them a helpful answer. Share the book with a friend if you can.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely a go to for me now that I have it. Thanks for coauthoring this book!
DeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your heart-felt review. Calling this book an "eye-opening and healing read" nails it. Knowing it helped one person makes my day! Trusting it will touch many, many more is one of the reasons I love working for Whitaker House and with authors like Chris and Ray.
Bless you,
Cathy Hickling
Yes forgiveness for someone who never asks is a hard thing especially when like myself I go out of my way to not hurt others so it hurts even more deeply when they don't even see that they have hurt me deeply. I have never read a book that led me to Scripture and strategies to help me deal with that pain because an apology in my book means so much.
ReplyDelete**I have never read a book like this that led me to ...
Deletethis sounds like a great book to have on hand. there are always those who get wounded in the church unfortunately. The church is made up of sinners. But how do we stop this? and where do we go with it?
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
This sounds like a good book. It's sad that if someone quit's going to a church for no particular reason get's ignored by some of the people that are prominent members of that church. It happens at a local church. To me it is very un-Christian like.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful comment. Chris and I knew quite a bit about wounding when we began the book, but nothing like what we are finding since the book has been released. It seems almost impossible that so many people can relate to what we have written. We hope that the material will help those who have had a difficult time in churches. Ray Beeson
ReplyDeleteThank you for coauthoring this book!
DeleteIts sad when so many people have been hurt by legalism in the body of believers of Christ. When I say legalism (for those who do not understand this term) I mean man-made rules and traditions that are enforced and if you do not adhere to them you are outcast or looked down on as a person an abomination or disobedient and you can never be used by God in church like that. I encourage people though do not give up on going to church or God just because other believers gave up on you. They are not God and they are not the author and finisher of your faith and salvation.
ReplyDelete