Why We Don’t Shoot the Wounded

Why We Don’t Shoot the Wounded makes the case for the redemption and restoration of fallen church leaders and members, rather than ostracizing them through shame and guilt, or forcing them to permanently step down from their calling within a faith community. The author cites biblical precedents in the lives of leaders in Israel and the Church, and retells the story of the God who seeks to restore, and who calls all of us to become the Church who heals the wounded. Church members, he says, need to be equipped to respond when one of their own is overtaken by a trespass, to restore such a one with a spirit of gentleness. This is done within the context of naming the sin, lifting the shame, guilt and secrecy surrounding church scandals, and then moving through the process of forgiveness, healing, accountability and restoration. Jim Reynolds holds a bachelor’s and a master of divinity degree from Abilene Christian University (1964, 1967), a doctorate from the Graduate Theological University, Berkeley, Calif. (1974), and a law degree from SMU (1981). He has been a licensed marriage and family counselor, and has published numerous articles and books, including Secrets of Eden, God and Human Sexuality (1974), The Lepers Among Us (2007), and The Lavish Hospitality of God (2009). Jim has taught religion, theology, philosophy, and biblical studies at Pepperdine University and the University of Texas, and presently is an adjunct professor at Dallas Christian College. He also does mediation for Dale O'Neall and Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. From 1981 to 2007, Jim was a family lawyer and partner with the Whitaker Chalk law firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1984 he has been pastor of Lake Highlands Church in Dallas, Texas. Jim and his wife, Donna, have two children and eight grandchildren.