Awakening to the Reality of Abuse in the Church

Over the past 15-plus years I have been involved in various forms of ministry, including over six years pastoring a church. But a few years ago I had an awakening to something that I had been unaware of: there is a big problem of abuse hiding in the church. It is not that I didn’t realize that abuse ever happened in the church or Christian marriages; I was simply ignorant to how widespread this problem is, how often these situations get mishandled by church leadership, and how many prevailing beliefs and mindsets in the church enable abuse to be perpetuated.

My awakening to abuse in the church came through a series of events, including my wife and I walking with a couple where the husband was chronically abusing his wife verbally, emotionally, and spiritually. Since that time, we have been involved in many other similar situations and our eyes have been opened to this darkness hiding in our midst. We have also seen the reality that sexual abuse, abusive leadership, and other forms of abuse are also often lurking in the church.

Shining a Light in a Dark Place

Speaking up about abuse in the church is not something I do out of enjoyment or out of needing extra things to add to my plate. There are plenty of other topics I would prefer to teach about and my plate does not need any other items! I talk about abuse in the church out of obedience to the Lord and love for the oppressed. We are called to shine light into dark places:

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.” (Ephesians 5:11-13)

As a church leader, I appeal to other pastors and leaders to be open to learning about a topic that may be new to you. We must humble ourselves and realize that perhaps we have missed the reality of domestic abuse in our midst and educate ourselves to be better equipped to recognize and properly address these types of situations.

Featured Image by Philipp Wüthrich on Unsplash

About the Author

Jennifer is passionate about seeing the Bride of Christ come into a greater place of purity and passion for Jesus and fully administrating His rule and reign in the Earth. Her mandate is to raise her children in the Glory of God and to see the Bride of Christ set ablaze. Her mission is to release the purity, truth, and beauty of God and her heartbeat is justice for the oppressed and freedom for the captive. She is also a “thriver” after years of covert narcissistic abuse. Jennifer is the Founder of Esther Company and Kingdom Wealth Creation & Strategic Solutions. Her most treasured role is being a mom to her four amazing children who reside with her in Lancaster County, PA.

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