Wounded in the Church: Hope Beyond the Pain by Ray Beeson & Chris Hayward + A GIVEAWAY

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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

A deep look at a very difficult subject.

The authors start by addressing the fact that many are wounded in the church and this issue needs to be addressed so people can find healing. They then take the time to focus on a few of the ways that this wounding occurs. It is very clearly laid out and dealt with.

I found the first section of the book to be very hard to read. It brought back memories of wounds that I received from those in leadership in churches I attended in the past. I really appreciate the fact that they then went on in part 2 of the book to discuss the hope that we have to be healed from those wounds. They carefully lay out steps that need to be taken without making it a canned approach to wholeness.

The one thing that I really love is the fact that they make it very clear the first step to healing is KNOWING that our identity is in Christ! Everything else presented is built upon this foundation.

The other thing that I was very happy to see was how much scripture they use to explain the points that they were making.

I am giving this book a rating of 5 stars and recommending it. It is a good book for those who have been wounded in the church to read. It would also be helpful for anyone who wants to guard against wounding others.

I received a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

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

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*