This mid-month newsletter is an opportunity to shine light on what is happening in the realm of marital domination. All of us wish it wasn’t so. But the reality is shocking.
According to research, an overwhelming majority of senior pastors (98%) say a person experiencing domestic violence would find their church to be a safe haven. In fact, 89% regularly communicate that marital oppression is not OK but few are prepared to address it. Perhaps that’s because they believe less than 10% of their congregants have ever experienced physical or sexual abuse.
Those numbers give us a sense of security and comfort. We’re prepared. It’s clear that violence (physical or otherwise) is unacceptable. And few people have experienced it.
Truth tells a different story.
- 75% of Baptist pastors provide marriage counseling to cases of domestic abuse, even though it has been proven that marriage counseling increases controlling behavior and violence.
- 50.7% of women in evangelical churches have experienced at least one form of abuse from an intimate partner.
There appears to be a disconnect between what pastors and churches think and what is true. We may blame society, cell phones, and social media for many ills, but those who shepherd the flock of Jesus are missing the effect of ongoing mistreatment inside the home.
Domestic abuse is not a marriage problem. It’s a problem of sinfully using authority and resources to benefit one individual at the expense of another.
We encourage you to consider learning more about how to help. Even when we know God and His Word, it takes wisdom, prayer and insight to protect the vulnerable.
A wise warrior is better than a strong one,
and a man of knowledge than one of strength;
for you should wage war with sound guidance—
victory comes with many counselors.
Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool;
he does not open his mouth at the city gate.
The one who plots evil
will be called a schemer.
A foolish scheme is sin,
and a mocker is detestable to people.
If you do nothing in a difficult time,
your strength is limited.
Rescue those being taken off to death,
and save those stumbling toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”
won’t he who weighs hearts consider it?
Won’t he who protects your life know?
Won’t he repay a person according to his work? (Prov. 24:5-12)
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