Many Christians who experience hurt in the church don't just
leave their own churches; they leave the church altogether. Whether
they have been wounded by pastors or people in the pews, these
believers have had enough and are jumping ship in massive
numbers.
Pastor and churchgoer Chris Jackson is honest about his own
failings as well as those of the church at large. He identifies
with many of the hurts churchgoing Christians have experienced. In
Loving God When You Don't Love the Church, he hopes to provide
healing to wounded and disillusioned believers and restore the
wonder of a genuine relationship with Jesus and his bride, the
church. Jackson's humility, compassion, and practical advice for
healing and restoration will touch those who have left the church
and those who love them.
What do you do when you can't go back?
When you have been hurt by fellow church members, it can seem as if
you have nowhere to turn. Those who are supposed to bring you
comfort are the ones who brought you pain. Whether you have been
wounded by a pastor or by someone in the pew, it can be hard to
heal.
Pastor Chris Jackson is honest about his own failings as well as
those of the Church at large. In Loving God When You Don't Love
the Church, he opens up the path to healing and helps restore
the wonder of a genuine relationship with Jesus' Bride. With
humility, compassion and practical advice for healing and
restoration, this book will touch those who have been hurt by the
church and those who love them.
"An amazing exposé that addresses critical issues of our day with
wisdom instead of sarcasm, with truths that heal and with love that
confronts. For once we have a book that speaks truth with
grace."--Dr. James W. Goll, Encounters Network; author, The
Seer, The Coming Prophetic Revolution and The Lost
Art of Intercession
"I can assure you that you will experience the heart of God through
the pages of this book. Healing will come to your soul in the
places where you have been wounded by the church."--from the
foreword by Dutch Sheets, senior pastor, Freedom Church
"Our generation is filled with those who love the Gospel but hate
the Church, who cling to Jesus but who can barely tolerate His
Bride. Chris Jackson shows us a path to healing."--Stephen
Mansfield, The Mansfield Group
"What a timely message for the Church! This book provides words of
healing and perspective for those who have been wounded or who have
become disillusioned."--Stan Fleming, GateBreaker Ministries
Chris Jackson has served as executive pastor of Freedom Church in
Colorado Springs since 2000. He is the co-author, with Dutch
Sheets, of Praying through Sorrows and Second in
Command.
“I’m concerned about those who dropped their guard and received a punch in the gut while in the house of the Lord. I’m concerned about those who perhaps did make some mistakes but received the death sentence for a misdemeanor. I’m concerned about you.” (source)
“Church blows are unseen blows. People come to worship—and they don’t expect to take a shot in the gut” (source)
“Not only are people unprepared for church hurts, but when the wounds come, they often never receive closure. People don’t expect to be wounded in the house of their brothers and sisters in the first place, and then, once they receive the hurt, they very likely are never met by the leadership with a humble embrace and a desire to pursue reconciliation. They are never heard.” (source)
“If you long to take your place as a powerful 21st-century Christian of impact .” (source)
“church wounds go incredibly deep and they take a very long time to heal” (source)
Chris Jackson has served as executive pastor of Freedom Church in Colorado Springs since 2000. He is the coauthor, with Dutch Sheets, of Praying through Sorrows and Second in Command. Chris lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters.