{"id":32964,"date":"2022-09-10T16:30:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/pastors-seldom-preach-about-domestic-violence\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:30:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:30:09","slug":"pastors-seldom-preach-about-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/pastors-seldom-preach-about-domestic-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastors Seldom Preach About Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Bob Smietana<\/em><\/p>\n

For many Protestant pastors, domestic violence is the pro-life issue they almost never talk about.<\/p>\n

A new survey from Lifeway Research found that most Protestant senior pastors say they know victims of domestic violence and believe stopping abuse is a pro-life issue. But those pastors seldom address domestic violence from the pulpit. And less than half have been trained in how to help victims.<\/p>\n

Those are among the findings of a new telephone survey of 1,000 senior pastors of Protestant churches from Nashville-based Lifeway Research. The survey was co-sponsored by two Christian nonprofits: Washington, D.C.-based Sojourners and Maryland-based IMA World Health.<\/p>\n

Sojourners president Jim Wallis, said the survey shows churches can do more to address domestic violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a conversation the church needs to be having but isn\u2019t,\u201d he said. \u201cWe cannot remain silent when our brothers and sisters live under the threat of violence in their homes and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The recent Lifeway Research pastor\u2019s survey is one of the first of its kind on the topic of domestic violence.<\/p>\n

Researchers found about 4 in 10 (42 percent) pastors \u201crarely\u201d or \u201cnever\u201d speak about domestic violence. Less than a quarter (22 percent) speak to their church about the issue once a year.<\/p>\n

“When two-thirds of pastors address the issue of domestic violence in church one time a year or less, we have a serious disconnect with the realities of American life,” said Ed Stetzer, President of Lifeway Research Division. “Pastors cannot ignore or downplay the issue, when lives are being ruined–and sometimes lost–through sexual and domestic violence right in their own communities and churches.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThe church needs to be part of the solution here,\u201d explained Stetzer. \u201cThis is an issue where people of faith, across theological lines, can speak together that it matters, we care, and it must change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pastors also tend to downplay the possibility domestic violence can affect their congregation. For pastors who don\u2019t address the issue, about 3 in 10 (29 percent) believe domestic violence is not a problem in their church.<\/p>\n

Pastors who do speak about domestic violence are more likely to say it is a problem for their community  (72 percent) than their church (25 percent.).<\/p>\n

\u201cI think many pastors still don\u2019t think it exists in their congregation,\u201d said Yvonne DeVaughn, director of Advocacy for Victims of Abuse (AVA), which trains church leaders to assist victims.<\/p>\n

According to a 2010 national survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 3 (35.6 percent) women and 1 in 4 men (28.5 percent) have \u201cexperienced rape, physical violence, and\/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

That same survey found 1 in 4 women (24.3 percent) and 1 in 7 men (13.8 percent) have been \u201chit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something) at some point in their lifetime\u201d by an intimate partner.<\/p>\n

DeVaughn said victims often feel trapped. They may feel their lives are in danger. But they also fear leaving an abusive spouse is a sin. It\u2019s a no win-situation.<\/p>\n

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See also  Most Open to Spiritual Conversations, Few Christians Speaking<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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“The gospel sets prisoners free– and that includes victims of domestic violence, who often feel like prisoners in their own homes,” Stetzer said. “Pastors can do more to proclaim that message.”<\/p>\n

Justin Holcomb, co-author of Is It My Fault?: Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence<\/em>, said that victims of abuse often blame themselves. Hearing sermons about stopping domestic violence reminds victims that God cares about their suffering. And it gives them hope that God can deliver them from the evil of domestic violence.<\/p>\n

Some abusers, said Holcomb, use scriptures like Malachi 2:16\u2014which says God hates divorce in some translations\u2014against their victims. He believes pastors can counteract that message.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod says He hates divorce\u2014He also hates the abuse of women,\u201d Holcomb said.<\/p>\n

Lifeway Research also found half of senior pastors (52 percent) don\u2019t have sufficient training to address cases of domestic or sexual violence.  About 8 in 10 (81 percent), say they would take action to reduce domestic violence if they had more training.<\/p>\n

Most pastors (74 percent) know of a friend, family member, or church member who has experienced domestic violence. And most (83 percent) say they would turn to outside experts in order to address cases of domestic violence.<\/p>\n

But more than half (62 percent) have also provided \u201ccouples or marriage counseling\u201d to those experiencing domestic violence.<\/p>\n

Advocates for victims say that\u2019s a dangerous practice, especially for women who are victims of abuse. A counseling session may actually lead to more violence, said Holcomb.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s going back home with that guy,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cAnd if she made him look bad in front of a pastor\u2014she will pay for it when she gets back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bob Smietana<\/h2>\n

@bobsmietana<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bob is the former senior writer for Lifeway Research. In September 2018, he joined Religion News Service, where he currently serves as a national writer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n