Welch - Shame interrupted: how God lifts the pain of worthlessness and rejection

Ed Welch finds us hiding in our shame and draws us out to be re-clothed by Christ. He surprises us again with the deep relevance of Gods Wordeven Leviticusto the secret fears that dominate our daily lives. This brutally honest book is for everyone.

Mike Wilkerson, Pastor and Director of Biblical Counseling at Mars Hill Church; author of Redemption: Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry.

Shame is everywhere. It is obvious on the faces of those who have been abused. But because of sin, it lies in the depths of every human heart. Ed Welch shines the light of the gospel of Christ into the dynamics of shame and explains how it is overcome in the honor Christ obtained for us through his identification with our shame on the cross.

Eric Johnson, Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Director of the Society for Christian Psychology

This side of heaven, we all struggle with shame and guilt. Ed Welch has served the church well by writing a thorough, practical, Christ-centered treatment of this difficult subject. Your love for Jesus will be greatly increased as you reflect on the way His work on the cross has freed you from the paralyzing effects of sin.

Steve Viars, Senior Pastor of Faith Baptist Church; author of Putting Your Past in Its Place: Moving Forward in Freedom and Forgiveness

In Shame Interrupted, Ed Welch reminds us that the gospel really is good news. He provides a candid perspective on the suffocating reality of human shame with an honest courage that is only possible because of Christs healing love. Dr. Welch brings the wisdom of an experienced counselor and the resilient hope of a Christ-follower into this compassionate book.

Mark R. McMinn, PhD, Author of Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling

Dr. Welch seems to know what the reader needs long before he or she knows and recognizes that shamed people are often hopeless people. Shame Interrupted is not just a remedy for persons caught in paralyzing shame; it gives them hope that it is possible to live a life that feels clean and holy. That is a gift.

Jeffrey S. Black PhD, Chair and Professor Graduate Program, in Counseling, Philadelphia Biblical University; Licensed Psychologist

This book proclaims a message of hope and healing. Ed Welch calls us to identify with Jesus because he identified with us, and shows that the answer is to turn to Christ for relief from shame, not inward. Eds book is a robustly biblical, deeply personal, and powerfully high-octane gospel answer to the universal human experience of shame.

Justin Holcomb, Pastor, Mars Hill Church; Executive Director of the Resurgence; adjunct professor of theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; co-author of Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault

Eds book has immediate application into my own spiritual journey and the women I journey with who are seeking freedom from the shame of their own relational and sexual brokenness. Shame Interrupted encouraged and nurtured me in the sweet truths of the gospel that come when we face shame through Jesus Christ and the lens of Gods Word.

Ellen Dykas, Womens Ministry Coordinator, Harvest USA

Ed Welch has given the family of God a tremendous treasure in his book, Shame Interrupted. Serving for many years as a pastor and shepherd of people, I know firsthand how this issue plagues many in the body of Christ. As always, Dr. Welch has written with loving concern for those who are hurting and with biblical accuracy. That combination makes his handling of this topic a resource that will help people address shame properly and will help those who seek to equip others in this process.

Dr. Bryan Hughes, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church, Bozeman, MT

Welch has given us a profound and comprehensive work on the often neglected topic of shame, addressing the issue with pastoral sensitivity, biblical acuity, and practical advice. In our world, people are asking less about guilt and more about how to deal with shame in their lives and in their past. This is a great resource for pastors, counselors, and for anyone interested.

Rankin Wilbourne, Lead Pastor, Pacific Crossroads Church, Los Angeles, CA

With the skill and care of a farmer turning over his soil in spring, Ed manages to unearth the shame buried within the human heart. The title will cause some to shy away with a degree of self-denial saying, I dont have this problem. If you came from the line of Adam, you have this problem. Having taught the Word for many years, I am not ashamed to admit how much I learned about my own heart and the redemptive power of the gospel to set me free.

D. Michael Minter, Senior Pastor of Reston Bible Church, VA

As someone who has had a long struggle with the demeaning, paralyzing, idol-fueling power of shame, I am so thankful for Ed Welchs newest book, Shame Interrupted. Ed shows us how the gospel of Gods grace not only cancels the legal guilt of sin, but also how it breaks the lingering power of shame. As Jesus works in our hearts, to heal and free us from shame, we dont become proud triumphalists, but boasters in weaknessmen and women gladdened and gentled by the irrepressible love of our grace-full Bridegroom, Jesus, set free to serve him and love others. This is such a practical and encouraging read!

Scotty Smith, Pastor for Preaching, Franklin, TN; author of Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith

Ed Welch creates a safe place to deal with shame. Whether your shame is worn as a scarlet letter for all to see, or invisibly written on your heart, he turns shame on its head, showing us how to move away from shame and proudly wear the robes of honor that God himself bestows on us. Whether you are trying to deal with shame yourself or ministering to others, I would encourage you to read this book to guide you in the process of restoring hope and joy to those who hang their heads in shame.

Janet Nygren, Co-author in the Bringing the Bible to Life Series;
Director of Assimilation at Princeton Presbyterian Church

New Growth Press, Greensboro, NC 27404
www.newgrowthpress.com
Copyright 2012 by Edward T. Welch. All rights reserved.
Published 2012.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover Design: faceoutbooks, www.faceoutbooks.com
Interior Design and Typesetting: North Market Street Graphics, Lancaster, PA

EBOOK ISBN-13: 978-1-938267-29-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Welch, Edward T., 1953

Shame interrupted : how God lifts the pain of worthlessness and rejection / Edward T. Welch.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-935273-98-1 (alk. paper)

ISBN-10: 1-935273-98-1 (alk. paper)

1. ShameReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.

BT714.W45 2012

233.4dc23

2011034606

To
David Powlison,
kindred spirit and friend.
Working side by side is an honor.