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Blood Stained Pews: How Vulnerability Transforms a Broken Church into a Church for the Broken
What if the church became more than a home for the hypocrites? What if the church became a hospital to heal the hurting?
When the carnage of war broke out on D-Day, the wounded were brought to an empty nearby church and laid on the pews so medics could treat them. When the war was over, and the blood-stained pews discovered, the townspeople decided to preserve the stains to remind all who would come This is the place where the wounded are welcome.
Blood Stained Pews is a chance to examine Jesus’ original intent for the church, a hospital for the broken. Pastor and author Carl Kuhl is Christians have been getting this wrong, but in this book, he gives clear steps to change our hearts, our practices, and ultimately our churches through the power of open brokenness.
Through personal stories and powerful insights, Carl implores us to more deeply consider God’s grace and turn our churches into the places people run to when they’re wounded.
When the carnage of war broke out on D-Day, the wounded were brought to an empty nearby church and laid on the pews so medics could treat them. When the war was over, and the blood-stained pews discovered, the townspeople decided to preserve the stains to remind all who would come This is the place where the wounded are welcome.
Blood Stained Pews is a chance to examine Jesus’ original intent for the church, a hospital for the broken. Pastor and author Carl Kuhl is Christians have been getting this wrong, but in this book, he gives clear steps to change our hearts, our practices, and ultimately our churches through the power of open brokenness.
Through personal stories and powerful insights, Carl implores us to more deeply consider God’s grace and turn our churches into the places people run to when they’re wounded.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
21 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 22, 2022
I am a skeptic of Christian books. I’ve read a lot and know what I like (when an author is real and honest, when the theology makes sense, when I’m moved to action) and what I don’t like (name dropping, repetition of simple points or phrases, dodgy theology). I really, really liked this book.
The author is the pastor of the church my family and I have attended for nearly ten years. The church motto has been “a church for people who don’t go to church.” I really love this environment where I’ve served and made friends and grown in small groups.
But when I saw the pastor had a book coming out I was all kinds of nervous. What would I do if it was terrible? Fortunately, Blood Stained Pews proved to be a book that is just like our church. It is honest and theologically sound and it made me want to be real with those around me and be a safe place for others.
The overarching theme is vulnerability and the way it can transform individuals, relationships, and the church as a whole. The book was never dry or boring and I kept coming back to it and sitting with it much longer than I had planned because I saw myself and my experiences in the pages.
The church Carl describes in these pages is so different than many churches I’ve been to. His vision of the church as a place where people can bring the worst parts of themselves, sit down and find rest, even if they’re bleeding, is like water in the desert. And I want it to start with me.
The author is the pastor of the church my family and I have attended for nearly ten years. The church motto has been “a church for people who don’t go to church.” I really love this environment where I’ve served and made friends and grown in small groups.
But when I saw the pastor had a book coming out I was all kinds of nervous. What would I do if it was terrible? Fortunately, Blood Stained Pews proved to be a book that is just like our church. It is honest and theologically sound and it made me want to be real with those around me and be a safe place for others.
The overarching theme is vulnerability and the way it can transform individuals, relationships, and the church as a whole. The book was never dry or boring and I kept coming back to it and sitting with it much longer than I had planned because I saw myself and my experiences in the pages.
The church Carl describes in these pages is so different than many churches I’ve been to. His vision of the church as a place where people can bring the worst parts of themselves, sit down and find rest, even if they’re bleeding, is like water in the desert. And I want it to start with me.
June 16, 2022
How will others know what surrender to Jesus as The Savior King of The world looks like if the church doesn’t show them?
Kuhl provides the best answers to that question I’ve found in modern pop Christian publications.
Don’t read if you don’t want to be challenged to grow in relationship with Jesus. If you have Al the theology points down and enjoy hiding behind debates of theological points, this book isn’t for you.
Kuhl provides the best answers to that question I’ve found in modern pop Christian publications.
Don’t read if you don’t want to be challenged to grow in relationship with Jesus. If you have Al the theology points down and enjoy hiding behind debates of theological points, this book isn’t for you.
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April 2, 2022While non fiction is not typically my thing, I read this alongside a group. Carl's message regarding vulnerability and bleeding to have a church welcome the broken is an easy to digest read while still leaving you with deeper thoughts and questions to ask yourselves.
May 5, 2024
In all honesty, I believe this is a book every pastor, assistant pastor church staff member and Life Group leaders need to read. It's clear how everyone is either currently broken or has been broken and needs their brokenness to be accepted in order for their healing to begin. Starting out with, "Bible thumping," as non-believers would call it, doesn't start off well when people are truly bleeding. Starting out with judgemental tones, or statements, only pushes hurting people away; believers and non-believers alike. As a church member, it did encourage me not to be ashamed of any brokenness I had in my past, or any brokenness I may experience. If others see me bleed, and heal, they may come to me for support and then allow God to heal them. I'd give it five stars if he had explained when to bleed with others; I'm sure just meeting someone is too soon.
April 14, 2022
Truthfully, I was hesitant about this because it was written by my church’s preacher. I thought “alright how good will this REALLY be?” But throughout it all, it was a very great and humbling journey and experience. Being open and vulnerable is something I’ve not been good at in life, and this book helped me to realize the importance of that. I’ve heard about the concept from podcasts and TED talks, so I love that this book explores the Christian principles behind it in a deeper setting. Lots of good references to “back up” the points made. And the historical story is so touching and the personal application so moving, that I’d strongly recommend it to others.
May 11, 2022
This soul-mining content was delivered in accessible and, even at times, witty ways. This book asks questions that invite the reader to imagine a life marked by more meaningful community and then delivers the practical steps to make such a
community a reality.
Church was meant to be as Kuhl describes it; so many of us have gotten lost on the road to building it. Kuhl gives us a road map back to what Jesus had always intended.
Read at your own risk, because this searing content will not leave your heart, soul, mind, and strength unchallenged.
community a reality.
Church was meant to be as Kuhl describes it; so many of us have gotten lost on the road to building it. Kuhl gives us a road map back to what Jesus had always intended.
Read at your own risk, because this searing content will not leave your heart, soul, mind, and strength unchallenged.
January 6, 2024
Amazing read. It tells the truth about what churches need to be, which is broken and vulnerable—admitting that we are broken people who need the grace of God. We will fail and need to put the pieces back together. But we can’t do it without God or the Church.
The book will cause you to be vulnerable and to be open and be pushed outside of your comfort zone. Be ready to be changed.
It was also ground in scripture throughout.
The book will cause you to be vulnerable and to be open and be pushed outside of your comfort zone. Be ready to be changed.
It was also ground in scripture throughout.
October 15, 2025
I read this booked with few guys at Mosaic and it was amazing to connect and be open together. It has great a discussion guide for each chapter! Highly recommend, even if you wan to read on your own.
April 12, 2022
This book was confusing. Had a lot of good points. Made me think a lot. But the author comes across too brash and with old white dude, Midwestern philosophy that I can't get behind.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews