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When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage
 
 
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When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage [Kindle Edition]

Dave Burchett (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review) |
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Product Description

Product Description

Help for those who have been harmed by Christians–and those who have inflicted the wounds. Throughout history, Christians have done considerable damage to others–both independently and in the name of Christ. Each time this occurs, one of God’s precious creations is wounded and the church’s witness to the world is grievously weakened.

For years, unbelievers and Christians have rejected the church because of damaging encounters with a Christian, a Christian leader, or a group of Christians. No matter how much we wish to reverse the damage, however, we cannot reach the unchurched with the life-changing message of the gospel–nor can we protect those still within the body–unless we insist upon dramatic changes within our church communities.

Targeting every person who has ever been hurt by a Christian–as well as those believers responsible for inflicting such damaging wounds–author Dave Burchett calls for a new way of relating that will bring healing to the church and transform our witness to the world.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 371 KB
  • Print Length: 258 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0307729923
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (19 July 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B004LGTSD4
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #342,326 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Dave Burchett
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A Must Read. Candid and thoughtful handling of church dragons and potential damage is included with personal experience. Humorous handling of some situations while provoking thought and self-examination with others. Wish there was a chapter on how to resolve "permanant" wounding from these experiences, but overall a very refreshing analysis that every believer should read to recognize the dragon(s) in your church and pray for them, or to recognize the dragon in ourselves and to change our ways. I've had currently unchurched people ask to borrow the book simply based on the title. It touches a chord of response with many.
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Amazon.com:  37 reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Should be read by all Christians 11 July 2002
By Harold McFarland - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
One of the best books available on how Christians continue to damage the cause of Christ, "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" is a must read. Mr. Burchett starts with an example from his own life involving his daughter. She had a terminal physical condition that posed no threat to anyone. However, the church decided that she was unwelcome in the nursery because of her problems. Didn't Christ reach out to those in need? Didn't Christ spend most of his time dealing with those who were outside the mainstream of society?

In a sad state of reversion to times gone by it seems that the modern Church has a lot in common with the Pharisees of old. Don't disturb our status quo, don't do anything that might make our nice, pretty church not look like the best one in the community. Not only does that apply to the physical church but the people of the church also.

I have attended several churches with the problems mentioned in this book (unfortunately far more seem to have the problems than do not). From one that wanted the teenagers to participate in taking up the offering but only if they could get a nice suit jacket to ones that would forgive and accept any repentitant sinner into their group but would not forgive a repentitant member who made a mistake.

While Burchett's criticism of the church can be caustic, he never makes a point that he does not backup with a real life example and then also backs it up with specific Biblical concepts. If you have been injured by the church or know of others that have been then this book is for you. On the other hand, because we all are human and at various times commit many of the sins covered in this book, it should be required reading for all Christians.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
How Bad Can We Really Be.....? 15 April 2003
By Eric C. Cravey - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I bought this book thinking it would confirm my beliefs about why people leave churches. What I found are the answers to that multi-faceted issue, as well as much more food for thought and spiritual growth.
Dave Burchett, a cynical journalist-type like me, smacks me between the eyes with each compelling chapter. A devout, sinful, growing, imperfect Christian like me, he points out ways the church universal has hurt thousands of people yet points out ways we can turn the tide in hopes of helping fulfill Christ's Great Commission. We can't win souls for Jesus by condemning others, judging others or boycotts as Burchett points out ever-so-often.
He pulls no punches when he embraces the fact that Christ wants us ALL to have salvation and that we poor little, selfish, prideful humans cannot rid the world of sin. But if we are truly Christ's followers, we should spread extravagant love. Christ's ministry here on earth was about love and service and how we can have salvation.
We are supposed to give His love to EVERYONE!!!
That means love your neighbor even if he/she takes part in "Gay Days" at Disney, is a different color from you, has a tattoo or pierced tongue or drinks alcohol to oblivion. But, he also points out how we need balance in our lives to bring our yet-to-turn-their-lives-over-to-Christ friends to Christ.
I recommend this book to anyone and already have been told by those I've told about it that they want to buy it now.
And yes, I've been a bad Christian. But, now I know how to continue to grow to change that. Hopefully now, I'll think a whole lot more before I open my mouth or do something that would make our Savior cringe from above.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Right on 13 Feb 2002
By B. Stamper - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I am extremely happy with this book. Maybe it's because I'm a New Yorker, and we tell it like it is. I can sympathize with my Christian comrades that when we hear someone criticize Christianity or Christians, our first reaction is the definsive: "No, the person you are talking about must not be a 'real' Christian." But it is time to 'fess up, my friends. I am as guilty as you are of favoritism, negligence, deliberate hurtfulness, and many other things. (If we were not, why do we have a whole part of the church service devoted to "Confession"? That's not for "the unbelievers", friends. It's for "the faithful".) Having met Christians in other countries and from other countries, I am ashamed of American Christianity and its partisan politics, inability to separate faith from "Americanism" (read: laziness, indifference, exploitation, materialism). Burchett is living in the world (he's a TV sports director) and not of it; giving creedance to Jesus' hard teachings. If you are ready for a wake-up call and a challenge, read this book. It is excellent. I am only taking off one star as I think it's a little scatter-gun in the organization. But its time has come. Thank you, Mr. Burchett.
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Popular Highlights

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We must face the possibility that we are doing things that make hurting people stay away from the church. Do you ever think your health is too messed up for you to go to the hospital? Does a hospital ever communicate that you are just a little too sick to come in? When did the church step away from its responsibility to heal emotional pain and meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs? &quote;
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It seems the people who were the most uncomfortable around Jesus were the ones known to be the most religiousthe churchgoers, as it were. &quote;
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What I do believe is that genuine Christians need to summon the courage to live a different and attractive lifestyle that will offer an alternative to honest seekers of truth. &quote;
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