Come Back Barbara

"Mom, Dad, I don't want your rules and morals. I don't want to act like a Christian anymore! And I'm not going to," Barbara declared at age 18. As her father desperately attempted to reason with her, Barbara grew more resentful, choosing a path of immorality that only deepened her parents' pain.


"I am not ignorant of human depravity," writes C. John Miller, "but I had long denied that it could exist in our family." That reality, however, forced him to confront his own sin, seek forgiveness, admit his inability to change his wayward daughter, and begin loving Barbara on God's terms.


Here "Jack" Miller and Barbara Miller Juliani chronicle their journey from grief and conflict to joyful reconciliation. Come Back, Barbara is thus an irresistible portrayal of God's grace to the Millers and us all. With newly added study questions, this book offers invaluable lessons about facing our own struggles with humility, courage, and hope.


C. John Miller taught practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, was Director of World Harvest Mission, and led mission trips to several countries. He was founding pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church outside of Philadelphia, from which sprang up several other congregations in the Philadelphia area. His other books include Powerful Evangelism for the Powerless and Outgrowing the Ingrown Church.



Barbara Miller Juliani is a Bible teacher, editor, and conference speaker. After earning her M.S. from Stanford University, she taught junior high and, with her husband, Angelo, founded the youth ministry at New Life Presbyterian Church, Glenside, Pennsylvania. The Julianis have four children.