Well, hey there!
We’d love to hear how we can serve you, your church, or ministry!
Step 1
Check the FAQs below
Step 2
Get in touch
The best way to get in touch is by using the form on this page or emailing
connect [at] clarityministry [dot] org
Step 3
Let’s minister together
Stay Updated with Clarity in Action Ministries Updates
outstanding support
Choose your preferred method of contact and let’s talk!
We’d love to hear from you!
Clarity in Action Ministries exists to serve “the least of these.” If you desire to serve Christ by coming alongside the downtrodden and oppressed, we would love to be part of their provision and your spiritual growth and sanctification. God works in all of us simultaneously, so we understand that you will be challenged and have questions as you come alongside others. Let us know how we can help.
Address
Send a message to
connect@clarityministry.org
Opening hours
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 5:00pm CST
Phone
Call us at
bringing clarity to your questions about our ministry
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the church need to learn about domestic abuse?
A. A study found that children exposed to violence in the home were 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually assaulted than the national average. (https://unicef.org/
A. “When one person in the relationship clearly has more power than the other and consistently uses it to promote selfish interests, that’s a clear sign that the problem is far more than a marital problem. The vast majority of domestic abuse incidents do not include physical harm.” Joy Forrest
A. Statistics show that as many as one in three women will experience severe physical abuse at the hands of an intimate partner. These numbers are no different within the church.
A. “Church leaders largely do not understand domestic violence and give advice that is harmful to victims. Over 70% reported that their churches did more harm than good.” Called to Peace Ministries
A. In a Called to Peace Ministries survey of nearly 200 Christian survivors of domestic violence, nearly 30% reported being married to men who served in ministry in some capacity; 22% had seminary training.
A. “Numerous studies show that evangelical men who sporadically attend church are more likely than me of any other religious group (and more likely than secular men) to assault their wives.” Steven R. Tracy, “What Does ‘Submit in Everything’ Really Mean? The Nature and Scope of Marital Submission”
A. 75% of women experiencing domestic abuse said they would go to the church first for help, but of those who did, only 4% said they would do so again. Christian Coalition Against Domestic Violence
What does Clarity in Action Ministries do?
A. Clarity in Action exists to equip local churches to identify and minister to those experiencing martial oppression.
A. Clarity in Action provides both individual and group training for those who serve in the local church.
A. Clarity in Action seeks to provide trained churches resources to minister to victims of abuse in spiritual and practical ways.
Does Clarity in Action provide direct services to victims of domestic abuse?
A. No, we do not. We seek to reach and affect lives through the loving care of individuals in local churches who have potential for ongoing, long-term relationships
How can I find out more?
How can I support Clarity in Action Ministries?
A. We experience many forms of resistance and appreciate prayer first and foremost. You can donate financially to either the ministry as a whole or specifically to the Victim Care Fund here online or via mail: Clarity in Action Ministries, P.O. Box 403, Iowa City, IA 52244
How do you use donations?
Unless your donation is designated “Victim Care Fund,” we use your gifts to promote Clarity in Action Ministries as a tool for equipping local churches. This includes promotional materials for conferences, contacting churches and individuals, and administrative costs. At this time, we have no employees; only volunteers and contractors who complete specific tasks based on their skill set.
How do we use the word, “victim”?
This is a temporary assignment for a person “that is acted on and adversely affected by a force or agent” (Merriam-Webster).
How do we use the word, “abuse”?
Abuse is defined as an “improper or excessive use or treatment; misuse” (Merriam-Webster). It is an ongoing, or characteristic, pattern of misusing resources, position, power, authority. Perhaps a more accurate term is “coercive control.”
How is "abuse" sinful?
Based on the definitions above, abuse/coercive control is a mindset in which an individual with resources (greater position or authority) uses objective means to benefit himself at the expense of others. This can happen in a relationship (i.e. marriage) or organization (i.e. work or church setting).
At its core, abuse violates the image of God in the abuser with pride, greed, and violence. At the same time, abuse violates the image of God in the victim by removing their freedom, safety, and security. Violations of God’s image in both men and women are rebellion from God’s intended creation. (Gen. 1:27)
The following terms are synonyms for this dynamic when it occurs within a marriage: oppression, domestic abuse, domestic violence, coercive control. Marital oppression is not “a sin” in the same way bank robbery is not “a crime” but a series of crimes. Perhaps a law enforcement definition is helpful: A course of conduct crime (i.e. bank robbery) is a persistent pattern of behavior consisting of a series of actions over time that demonstrates a continuous purpose or intent. The actions must show a connection or underlying purpose, not just random, isolated behaviors. (ChatGPT)
If we were to map the modern word, abuse, onto Old Testament categories of sin we would use:
- Avon (twisting) → captures the distorted misuse of good things
- Pesha’ (rebellion) → captures the willful violation of God and others
- Ra’ (evil/harm)–> captures the destructive, harmful nature of abuse
So while “abuse” isn’t a direct Hebrew word, the concept is present: abuse is a kind of twisted rebellion against God that harms others– a mix of avon + pesha’ + ra’.
How does the Bible describe an individual for whom we use the word, “abusive?”
His private life may be characterized as a lover of self, lover of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, ungrateful, unholy, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitorous, reckless, arrogant, loving pleasure rather than God (2 Timothy 3:2-5); sexually immoral, greedy, fraudulent, idolatrous, verbally abusive (1 Corinthians 5:10-11), defiling his own flesh, rejecting authority, blasphemous, fruitless, looking out only for himself, ungodly, discontented, grumbler, scoffer, divisive (Jude 8, 12, 16, 17, 18; Titus 3:10-11).
Most oppressors guard and protect their reputation and public image, therefore it is rarely seen by others. For this reason, the individual(s) who see and experience these characteristics are people under their authority or in their home. They are hesitant to speak of such things due to fear of real consequences (punishment).
Why do we use masculine terms for abusers and feminine terms for victims?
When we consider the means of controlling another individual, it is most common for men to have resources, position, and power to enforce punishment on another repeatedly, over time. Individuals with greater resources, position or power are not inherently “wrong” or “bad.” Is it the use of those means to benefit one’s self at the expense of another’s dignity, safety, and well-being that we call coercive control or domestic abuse.
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 90% of all domestic violence victims are female and most abusers are male. This article may be helpful.
Note: the same dynamics and vocabulary apply to male victims of coercive control/oppression/abuse, which happens less frequently, but with more shame. It is not uncommon for abusive individuals to claim victim status as a deceptive means of protecting their sin, which further complicates the situation. Ask questions separately!
How does God call His people to respond?
Understanding and responding to the sin of abuse in a biblical way is important so that we do not fall into the trap of giving approval to those who practice evil. (Romans 1:32)
God instructs His people, “Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy;
save them from the power of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4; echoed in Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, James 1:27).