re.CLAIM.ing: A Handbook for Developing a Restorative Culture in Your Church

“One of us failed and one of us was blindsided. One of us is in vocational ministry today and one is not. Both of us know what it is like to need the restorative ministry of the local church, and how hard it is to find. ‘The Christian Army is the only army in existence that shoots its own wounded’ is a popular cliché because it is true. We have both experienced that trauma, but we are not victims.” – the authors.

There are multitudes of broken ministers and laypeople scattered across the globe that are “shipwrecked” from the faith. Broken people who have made bad choices or were broken by the bad choices of local churches. Why is this so? The Scriptures clearly teach, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 ESV). Jesus Himself gave the parable of the shepherd who left 99 sheep in the fold to search for one that had been lost (Matthew 18:12).

This book seeks to provide biblical and practical help for those who wish for their churches to “be catchers” instead of “pitchers.” The authors share their personal implosions and personal stories from others who needed “reclaiming” because of a personal failure or a church failure. The authors provide a framework for how churches can develop a truly biblical culture of restoration that leads them to restore broken believers to a healthy relationship with God and His local church.

In fact, the practical principles shared in this book were hammered out in the experience of a local church led by one of the authors, Pete Tackett. Antioch Baptist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, has been transformed into a “reclaiming” church that has been used of God to restore several broken ministers and church members to spiritual health and usefulness. Pastor Pete met his co-author, Michael Stover, when reaching out to provide tangible assistance shortly after Michael and his family were ousted and moved back to Northeast Tennessee.

This book is for every pastor, every deacon, every church member, and every denominational leader who desires to reverse the tide of discarding broken believers from our churches. So little of this is actually accomplished that we had to coin a new word for those being reclaimed – “restoree.”

Whom do you know that needs restoration? A young pastor chewed up and spit out by the traditional church “machine?” A deacon who cheated on his wife? A pastor who revealed years of personal sin, or whose sin finally exploded publicly? A church member who made a bad choice out of desperation and now is embarrassed to return to church?

This book is actually for them – to revive and equip local churches and members to pursue them and restore them to spiritual health and vitality for the Kingdom’s sake. Are you ready to pursue that journey?

Pete Tackett is an experienced full-time pastor who currently leads an exceptional church that seeks to restore the broken. Michael Stover is a former minister of 20+ years who is now a full-time freelance writer and author. They both reside in Johnson City, Tennessee.