Dave Burchett - Bring Em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church

Dave Burchett has tactfully tackled a tricky and serious issue in contemporary church life. Using plenty of appropriate humor and examples from Scripture to make his points, his message is both practical and powerful. If you care about the family of God, you should read this, whether you think you need to or not.

J OHN W. S TYLL , president of the Gospel Music Association

There are few people I would trust to handle the sticky subject of bringing healing to church-wounded Christians, but Dave Burchett is most definitely one of them. With compassion, insight, firmness, and his own unique brand of humor, Dave pushes us past fruitless quibbling about whos to blame into God-honoring dialogue about whats to be done. I think I can already hear some applause from heaven

A NDREW M C Q UITTY , senior pastor of Irving Bible Church in Irving, Texas

Witty and warm, pithy and profound. If youre MIA because of church-inflicted woundsor if you love someone who isBring Em Back Alive is for you. Dave Burchett has written a compelling reminder that as one of Christs sheep, you are loved, you are wanted, and you are not alone!

S ANDRA G LAHN , best-selling author and instructor at Dallas Theological Seminary

Bring Em Back Alive challenges the reader to get involved with those who have left the church. As I read the book, I found myself arguing with Dave: Its too hard. They wont listen. I dont have the time. But with solid biblical analysis, a healthy dose of edgy humor, and with genuine compassion born of his own experience, he convinced me that my excuses dont matter. Christs wandering sheep need our help. Who will reach out to them if we dont? Pastor, buy two copies of this bookone for yourself and one to give away. Its that good.

D R . R AY P RITCHARD , author of An Anchor for the Soul and senior pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois

I have heard it said that the church is the only institution that shoots its wounded. I needed this book many times when I and my family were in the crosshairs, but there was none like it. Its my hope that when circumstances find you as the wounded, you will not run from the church, but run to its leader, Jesus Christ. He understands what being wounded is all about. In His arms you will be brought back alive!

R ON D ICIANNI , artist and author

Dave Burchett has provided Christians with a wise and practical challenge that will bring joy and life to the church of the twenty-first century. He gently challenges readers to become agents of Gods grace so that all may experience His healing and wholeness.

D R . S TEVE M OORE , senior vice president of Asbury Theological Seminary

This book is salve to wounded hearts and those with a heart for the spiritually wounded. Dave Burchett gently and compassionately provides insight and direction for the journey toward healing. His humor provides delightful moments of respite in the midst of a difficult subject. The body of Christ needs this book!

S UE B OHLIN , speaker, writer, and Webservant for Probe Ministries

Dave Burchett uses his own life experiences and clever wit to communicate the importance of restoring people of faith to fellowship.

J OHN F ROST , noted broadcast strategist

B RING E M B ACK A LIVE
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked ( KJV ) are taken from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked ( NASB ) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). Scripture quotations marked ( NIV ) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ( TLB ) are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

eISBN: 978-0-307-55197-9

Copyright 2004 by Dave Burchett

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

W ATERBROOK and its deer design logo are registered trademarks of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Burchett, Dave.
Bring em back alive: a healing plan for those wounded by the church / Dave Burchett. 1st ed.
p. cm.
1. Religious addiction. 2. ChristianityPsychology. I. Title.
BR114.B87 2004
253dc22

2004004268

v3.1

In loving memory of my father,
Paul Burchett,
who went to be with Jesus on February 6, 2004.

Gods Word consistently paints an image of God as our Father. Many people struggle with that picture because they can only relate to an angry, dominating, or selfish father. I thank God I was blessed with a father who gave me a clear image of how I can relate to God as my heavenly Father.

I gratefully acknowledge my wife, Joni, who loves me when Im unlovable and forgives me when Im unforgivable. You have shown me the Jesus I write about.

Thanks to my publisher and friend Don Pape for your enthusiastic support. Your belief in this project was an inspiration and encouragement. Thanks also to editorial director Laura Barker for your invaluable feedback, honesty, and sense of humor.

Special thanks to my editor Erin Healy, who inexplicably took a second project with me when it was actually your choice! Your ability to organize and clarify my ramblings is an incredible blessing. Thanks again for your humor, encouragement, and love for Jesus.