To purchase your copy, click here.
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.
In My Opinion (Review)
Hypocritical. Judgmental. Rigid. Unforgiving. Condemning. Often words that are used to describe the church are ugly. They come from places of deep hurt from people who have experienced the opposite of what God intended his church to be. Whether a visitor, a longtime church member, or a pastor, people have indeed left churches because they have been wounded by others there.
Ray Beeson and Chris Hayward come together and offer hope and advice to those who have been hurt by Christians as well as those who have done the hurting. In part one of Wounded in the Church, they address the areas where church members, as well as leadership, may hurt others. Part two offers solutions and insight into how we can become better at accepting people where they are, at letting God do the convicting, the shepherding, the growing of individuals.
“Christians are no better than anyone else. We trip over our feet and spill our coffee and have the capacity to intensely, terribly wound and be wounded by another. Yet God has broken into our broken lives—and that has made all the difference.”
Wounded in the Church
by Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward
Unfortunately, this book is needed in today’s church. Beeson and Hayward approach each of the issues with love and care. Their words are grounded in scripture as they encourage readers to take a look at themselves in order to create the church as God intended. One of love. Hope. Healing. Acceptance. Comfort.
Aren’t those words beautiful?
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads
Would love to win the grand giveaway but the book and the review are so good I’d be happy to win a copy of that! Wonderful review and very insightful.
Thank you. The book was excellent and handle a hard topic that Christians need to be reminded of with grace.
This sounds like a fabulous book that every Christian should read.
It was an excellent book. I’ve heard too often of people who have been hurt by someone in a church they’ve attended. The topic was handled with grace and bathed in scripture and prayer
Unfortunately this is needed. I am so glad that they authors wrote this. It would be so beneficial to so many.
I agree and it is so well written. It doesn’t judge those who may have wounded but encourages everyone to be like Jesus.
Thank you Remembrancy: Your words to us, the authors, are very encouraging. We trust it will be the same for those who read, “Wounded in the Church.” Chris and I have come even more aware of the problem since the book came out. We feel much confidence that God wants to turn things around. He’s the “Healer of the Wounded” our next book. Ray Beeson
Love that you’re working on a new book that addresses the true Healer. People are human and no matter how hard we try, we’re going to mess up. But God’s perfect love never fails.
Lovely review of Wounded in the Church. I must get a copy of this book. I know to many that has been wounded by fellow worshippers that resulted with them leaving the church and straying from God even. Thank you for sharing.
It is definitely a needed tool for the church. And, unfortunately, as the authors mention, it’s something that was needed back in New Testament times as well. The apostles admonished churches for some of their practices such as showing favor to the wealthy.