Podcast: Play in new window – Download

The research team talks about Pastors’ views on domestic violence and how they have changed (and stayed the same) since we asked in 2014.

• More pastors (55%) say they are familiar with local resources for domestic & sexual violence in their community than in 2014 (43%)
• Eight out of 10 pastors say that domestic violence should be resolved with outside help (similar to the 2014 numbers)
• In 2014, 34% said they spoke to their church about domestic or sexual violence several times a year or more. In, that number jumped to over half (51%)
• Among pastors who say they don’t speak about domestic violence in the church,
  • 46% say it isn’t a problem in their congregation (up from 29% in 2014)
  • 29% say it isn’t as important as other topics that are addressed
  • 19% say they do not know the issue well enough to speak on it
• It’s important for churches to remember that even when they aren’t aware of specific situations where it may be occuring, it is likely impacting families in their congregation.
• Six out of 10 pastors say their congregations have taken action regarding sexual or domestic violence at least once in the last year
• When pastors are aware of resources, they are speaking up about it more.

Be sure to Tweet your questions and comments to us: @LifewayResearch and individually: @smcconn, @statsguycasey, and @lizettebeard. Join us next time for another edition of Keep Asking.

Additional resources:

• Pastors More Likely to Address Domestic Violence, Still Lack Training by Lifeway Research
• Pastors Seldom Preach About Domestic Violence by Lifeway Research