When individuals tell you, Pastor, that they were sexually abused or raped, often those victims are terrified, full of shame, and sure that you are going to think less of them. However, they have also given you great honor and privilege because they have decided that you may be a safe person in their most unsafe place. But ministering to men and women who are victims of … [Read more...]
Porn: Women struggle with it, too
Pornography addiction is typically classified as a man’s problem. But we recently interviewed Rachel Coyle, a certified counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, about the prevalence of pornography use among women. It’s more common than you might think, and here’s how the church can help. How common is pornography use among women? I suspect it’s … [Read more...]
12 ways to prevent child sexual abuse
Jonathan was sick to his stomach. No pastor ever wants a child hurt. Yet, his church was facing a lawsuit over sexual abuse in their children’s ministry. He was bogged down with conversations with a lawyer, shepherding the distraught families in his congregation, feeling guilt over his failed leadership, and trying to hold things together. Jonathan said, “It felt like a bomb … [Read more...]
Which one is the child sex offender?
Karen was an innocent teenager in a hallway of a local mega-church heading home after a youth event. Sam, a building manager, pulled her into an empty classroom and forced her to have sex. No one else was around, and she didn’t know what to do, so she just gave in to Sam’s demands. He threatened her so that she wouldn’t tell anyone, but it was hard to hide because she cried the … [Read more...]
When church members confide abuse
We are living in an age where, due to the Internet, we have access to news that would otherwise be inaccessible. Every day several stories make their way through social media that outline the most recent case of horrific abuse; previously these would have been only local news. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, elder abuse, neglect, and other atrocities have become so common that … [Read more...]