Help and Healing for Divorced Christians

Time for a Marriage Tune-up?

4/15/2019

Even though I write a lot about divorce, I’m definitely pro-marriage ... especially my own! This past weekend, my hubby and I attended a seminar titled "How We Love" presented by Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Kay is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Milan is a former pastor and has a counseling practice. Together, they’ve written the book, How We Love, that describes how they help individuals and couples discover their love styles.

Tune-ups can often take a marriage to an even higher level.

As our understanding of human behavior grows, so does opportunity for better communication and interaction. And, even though you and your spouse or other significant person in your life may be on really good terms, tune-ups can often take thatmarriage to an even higher level.

In going through counseling after leaving my long-term marriage, I was asked to identify my part of our dysfunction. I knew on an intellectual level that surely I had a role, but, since my husband’s behavior was so glaring, I had difficulty identifying where I’d gotten off track, too.

That’s the way life is, isn’t it? Our egos help shield us from our own faults.

That’s the way life is, isn’t it? Our egos help shield us from our own faults. At the conference, we learned how our love styles are formed at a very early age, and continue to influence us as adults. Understanding our childhood patterns makes owning our adult behavior much easier. Understanding the source of our mate’s behavior also elicits empathy rather than blame. It gives a means of recognizing and dialoging about the marriage dynamic.

Don’t get me wrong; not every marriage can and should be saved. But, if yours is basically a good one, I encourage you to cherish it and take time to nourish it. Seeking out opportunities such as How We Love, is a great way to do so.

Blessings,

Author

Linda M. Kurth is a writer and a divorced and remarried Christian. In going through the divorce, she experienced a dichotomy of responses from the Christian community. After sharing some of those experiences in her upcoming memoir, God, the Devil, and Divorce, she's heard many stories of divorced Christians who have struggled with the same issues. This blog invites divorced Christians to tell their stories with the goal of encouraging churches to resist condemnation and become a source of healing and grace.

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Loving On Victims of Domestic Abuse

4/4/2019

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Rick Snodgrass, Pastor CTK - Skagit

While writing a few blog posts about domestic abuse of women within the global church, I began to wonder about my own church, a network of congregations called Christ the King.

I approached our new pastor, Rick Snodgrass, concerning this issue. His eyes lit up. "My previous church had a wonderful program," he responded. "I'd love to describe it on you blog."

Loving On Victims of Domestic Abuse
guest post by Rick Snodgrass

I’ve always believed that if we just walked obediently with what we already know, all of the ministry needs of the church would be attended to. Years ago one of our presidents said that when he gets up to speak, what he’s really doing is telling people to do what they already know they’re supposed to do. Attending to domestic abuse is one of those situations.

For someone who’s going through domestic abuse,
the church may be the last bastion of hope.

I know that church means a lot of different things to a lot of people, and for someone who’s going through domestic abuse, the church may be the last bastion of hope. Rarely will someone come up and say I’m going through a domestic abuse situation, how can I be ministered to here in my church?

One of the ways that some friends at Christ the King Church in Nampa, Idaho responded to God's nudge was to make Christmas special, and to create a safe place to get away for an evening and do some fun secondhand shopping. Let me explain:

A certain amount of secrecy is a big part of this ministry.

The good people at CTK Church in Nampa were invited to take the first names and ages of children in abusive homes and buy them gifts. Those children were a part of domestic abuse situations and were staying in secluded locations with their moms. So the day that they got those presents was the day that everyone who bought them believed in the ministry, even though they couldn’t be there to watch. A certain amount of secrecy is a big part of this ministry. That means trust needs to be built with victims, and those who are loving on them need to trust the ministry to do what they say they’re going to do.

The fire department showed up with an engine and we had a really fun Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus there. We called out names and gave specific gifts to kids, while mother safely observed and felt the love of Jesus.

A Secret Fun Night

The other event that people in our church put on in secret was a family fun night where mothers of domestic violence and their children could go through several fun stations like a private community fair just for them. While the kids were playing at the fun fair, the mothers were going through a large area where gently used items had been donated so that they could do some free shopping with integrity.

There are many things that people in church can do.

There are many things that people in church can do; so as you read this in the blog today just know that these kinds of ministries take place when listening people respond to the Holy Spirit and get creative. Is he knocking at your door today? Is this something that God has laid on your heart but you just needed an idea? Let your local pastor know that you have a great idea and see how resourceful he can be in providing something that very few churches get a chance to respond to. Be blessed.
Rick Snodgrass

Linda's note: I hope you find encouragement from Rick's post to listen to God's call to serve as the "good people" in Nampa's CTK church did.

Blessings,

About Linda

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Four Life Lessons - A Free eBook

3/15/2019

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Do you ever look back and think about lessons you’ve learned through life experiences? Being of a certain age, I’ve garnered a host of lessons life has taught me. And, because I’m a memoirist, I enjoy writing about them. The next step, is sharing them, and that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to share them with you … for FREE.

You see, God made me a writer and a giver. In addition, He gave me curiosity and the drive to try new things. I’ve been a seamstress, an interior designer, an art teacher, an entrepreneur, a retail clerk, a cannery worker, and a weaver to name a few. I’ve sung in choirs all my life and have always had a garden. I’ve also been married three times (not something I’m proud of).

In my up-coming memoir, God, the Devil and Divorce,
I share three main lessons.

In my up-coming memoir, God, the Devil and Divorce, I share three main lessons: #1 learning what it's like living with a man who practiced “crazymaking” on me, #2 discovering there is a huge dichotomy in the Christian community around the issue of divorce and how those who have chosen divorce are treated, and #3 learning that relying on the Lord to help me choose a husband is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

I now support people with similar experiences through this blog, Help and Healing for Divorced Christians, which is free, of course. But I have so much more to share beyond those three themes. And I’m happy to share them with you … for FREE.

I’ve written a series of practical pieces I call Life Lessons that you may find applicable to your own situation or simply entertaining. I’ve combined the first four lessons into a PDF ebook complete with illustrations. There's even a recipe to share with your grandchildren. I want you to have this little book … for FREE. Just fill out the form and I’ll send the link to you in an email. You’ll also receive my monthly newsletter, as well as up-coming bonuses.

I hope you enjoy these “Lessons” and you’ll let me know if you can relate to any of them. And feel free to share this link with your friends.

Blessings,

Full disclosure: you can unsubscribe at any time. By remaining a subscriber, you’ll be helping me get the memoir published. Sound good?

Author

Linda M. Kurth is a writer and a divorced and remarried Christian. In going through the divorce, she experienced a dichotomy of responses from the Christian community. After sharing some of those experiences in her upcoming memoir, God, the Devil, and Divorce, she's heard many stories of divorced Christians who have struggled with the same issues. Linda seeks to give encouragement to divorced Christians and to remind churches that they should be a source of healing and grace.

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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30 Things to Do When You're Single

3/4/2019

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Alone or Single?
Is there a difference? Theo Pauline Nestor’s memoir, How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed, describes her first nights after the sudden parting of her husband. Luckily, a girl friend understood the shock of adjustment and spent those nights with her. But soon, Theo had to adjust to sleeping alone.

The feeling of being alone washed over me and seemed
to permeate every cell of my body.

Feeling utterly alone after my divorce was a shock to my system too. Although I could have seen it coming for years, as soon as I waved goodbye to my soon-to-be-ex for the last time, I faced an uncomfortable void. What was I going to do with myself? The feeling of being alone washed over me and seemed to permeate every cell of my body. That feeling would last for some time.

Our son was grown and out of the house, so my main physical contact was gone. No one to bump into. No one snoring. Literally, no body in my space. I was physically and socially alone in my home.

Like Theo, I relied on my best friend to help me get through the first few days. Best friends can be great talk therapy, but I knew I’d soon have to face the reality of living alone. I learned divorce can be both physically and mentally depleting. I spent the first few months sleeping a lot ... between nightmares that is … alone.

Once the immediate shock of the divorce is past,
a woman is likely to begin redecorating.

In reading many divorce memoirs, I’ve discovered that once the immediate shock of the divorce is past, a woman is likely to begin redecorating. What better way to signal a fresh new start? Out go all traces of the ex. Now there’s room for expression of one’s self. Even though I was renting, and even though my couch was my only new piece of furniture, I transformed my home with new accessories. With each small change, I felt less alone.

Another important step I took in my recovery was joining a singles group at a large church in my area. Following our Sunday morning meetings, the group had lunch together, which filled a big hole in my life. After attending a few meetings, I joined the activity committee and was able to influence the choice of hiking and field trips locations. Soon, I was part of a tribe, doing what I enjoyed, and not so alone.

I experienced a shift in my thinking.

Eventually I experienced a shift in my thinking. I no longer thought of myself as being “alone,” a description that seemed sad, pitiful, and, well, lonely. Instead, I identified as being “single.” Single is a neutral state, neither positive nor negative. I became fine with that.

Along my divorce recovery journey, I discovered other satisfying things to do as a single person. Getting out of one’s comfort zone, although scary at times, can do wonders for self-esteem and a general feeling of well-being. Think of yourself as a single person and try as many of the 30 Things to Do that appeal to you. Or come up with your own. Consider one of my mottos: “You never know ‘til you make your move.” Give it a try!

Blessings,

Author

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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10 Tools for Overcoming Divorce Fear

2/7/2019

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“I was married for 25 years. I'm 53 now, and so scared that I won't get married again, but that is the desire of my heart and I just keep praying.”

This comment on one of my blog posts touched my heart. Being scared, anxious, afraid — these are typical emotions associated with divorce. But as Christians we are encouraged not to be afraid. There are up to 40 passages in the bible that seek to assure us we need not fear. And yet we do. Cue the guilt added to what we’re already feeling.

I understand divorce fear.

My divorce fear began when I seriously considered leaving my husband of twenty-five years. My writing business was not profitable and I had no good job prospects. I worried about the amount of spousal support I might get. Our child was grown, but, of course, our divorce would still have an impact on him. Would I, over age fifty, ever find love again? I worried that maybe I hadn’t tried hard enough to make our marriage work, and I wondered if the Lord wanted me to try some more. One of my Christian counselors was so appalled that I would consider divorce, she refused to talk with me about it!

So I dragged my feet; my fear of leaping into the unknown was worse than staying. Until it wasn’t. Little did I know my fears would be magnified when I finally left, with nightmares, two panic attacks, and a hallucination. I write about these fears in my up-coming memoir, God, the Devil, and Divorce.

One of my Beta readers, a non-Christians commented, “I thought a strong Christian faith brings peace and tranquility.”

Ouch! How do I answer that? After some pondering, I’d say that God doesn’t just snap His fingers and all is rainbows and bunnies. We are students at His feet, growing in knowledge of Him. And often we are not ready to learn until we go through hard times and realize we can’t rely on ourselves alone.

That was me. Thankfully, God was patient, encouraging me to learn to trust Him and His provision. Learning to let go of my fear was a process, not an overnight-transformation. There were days I had to make the effort to lay aside my fears on an hourly basis.

The Lord wants our participation in the healing. We are to listen to Him so He can direct our paths. I asked God for guidance, and received much help along my road to recovery, taking advantage of several tools for healing that were available to me. As I did the best I could, God came through for me in miraculous ways.

Like the woman who wrote on my blog, I hoped to marry again someday. I was able to put aside my fears of being alone, and told the Lord I would wait for the man of His choosing. I was fifty-eight when I met the love of my life. From our conversations, it was clear God had a hand in our finding each other. I pray the woman who wrote me will wait upon the Lord, trusting she will find the love she is seeking at the perfect time in her life.

I want you to know that, even though you will probably experience some level of fear, with the Lord’s help, you can get through it. Click here for 10 tools that will help you as you seek to overcome divorce fear.

Blessings,

Author

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence and Their Advocates

2/1/2019

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I’m disappointed. In my last post, I promised to highlight some success stories of domestic abuse victims who have been helped by their churches. I didn’t want to “out” anyone. I simply wanted concrete evidence that these programs are working.

I’ve contacted Safe Havens, an interfaith organization that trains churches on how to help victims. I’ve sent messages to churches that I know have programs in place: the Presbyterian Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns, to the United Methodist Justice Committee. I’ve asked people I know personally. And I’ve got nothing. I failed and I’m sorry.

However, I also promised to give you a list of resources. That I can do. The following are only a few of the many Internet and other resources available.

Resources for Victims of Domestic Abuse
https://www.thehotline.org
The first thing a victim of domestic abuse can do is to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. The hotline is open 24/7. Caller’s information is kept private, and the safety of the caller is a primary concern. The organization’s mission is to “answer the call to support and shift power back to people affected by relationship abuse.” It is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, and partners at the NFL and Mary Kay Inc. Resources of publications and local agencies are offered online at

Resources for Victims in Crises and those in the Process of Healing

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
Family and Youth Services Bureau
Family Violence Prevention Services
What Jesus Says About Women: You Are Not “Less Than”
Love Like You've Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart
What Jesus Says About Women: You Are Not “Less Than”
Here's one resource I've found specifically for men: Recognizing Emotional Abuse After Divorce
Also, check out your local church and community resources.

Resources for Advocates of Domestic Abuse Victims – Understanding and Addressing the Issue

Please note, I cannot be held responsible for the results in contacting any of these sources.

Blessings,

Author

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Divorce: The Struggle and a Win

1/17/2019

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I'm pleased to introduce Kelly Wilson as my guest blogger today. Kelly is a writer and comedian who isn't afraid to share her struggles with PTSD and her recent divorce. I believe some of you can relate.

Divorce: The Struggle and a Win
I've been thinking a lot about how it's the smallest things that bring me down in grief. Like stepping on that tiny Lego or the cat puke in the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom. Unexpected and uncomfortable and curse-inducing.

There's a lot to dislike about divorce, even in the best of circumstances, which I think we have. My ex and the kids and I have a meeting every three months to discuss various issues - schedules and calendars and jobs and meals and chores and school and whatever else. My ex and I are not together anymore, but there are some things that we continue to get right, and a unified parenting front is one of them.

The fact remains that I don't live with my kids.

But the fact remains that I don't live with my kids. I'm at the house several mornings and afternoons a week and pursue regular time with them. But. But. But there's always that time where I drop them off at their home and watch them go inside. Without me.

The worst part of divorce - if you have kids - is not learning to cook for one, or the identity crisis, or the moments of crushing loneliness and grief. Not the wondering and knowing and processing. Not the holidays or grief anniversaries or special occasions. It's not going places by yourself. It's watching your kids go inside the house without you.

I'd drop the kids off and burst into tears.

In the early days of this process, I would drop the kids off or leave the house and burst into tears. My friends Margaret and Chris were on my route home, and I found that - more often than not - my car turned onto their street. I would find myself parked in their driveway, hiccuping and sobbing. They had told me a couple of times that they were here for me anytime, and I took them literally. Two to three times a week, I would get out of my car and hiccup and sob in their living room. We would chat or eat or watch Netflix, or not. They absorbed me as part of their routine in the most comforting way.

As the weeks have gone on and routine has been established, I stopped bursting into tears. Last night, tho, after dinner and an inane and fun Redbox rental, I left the house. A couple of miles down the road, I felt the tears on my cheeks. Today I feel the echoes of the grief, the leftover welling of emotion that I don't understand - I also forget that I don't *have to understand emotion,* as that is the whole point of emotion, amIrite?

There's a point at which you get to see the results of what you have been fighting for. When you change your diet and the cholesterol and blood sugar numbers go down (why yes, I *do* have experience with this, why do you ask?). Or when you beat your personal best in a sportsing thing. Or when your kid asks you to go hiking the next weekend.

I've always fought for the kids to go hiking with me.

I think that was the small thing. I have always fought for the kids to go hiking with me, making them through the whining and bellyaching and even yelling and fighting. The hill I died on - a small hill, but still a hill I was not willing to surrender. To spend that time walking and talking and away from distractions, surrounded by trees and fresh air and renewal, even in winter. There is no life without death.

The small thing in the caveat, "Not just Mt. Tabor, Mom, but a *real* hike." The kid who had been so angry with me, a deep, dark, swirling cauldron of rage, for so long. The conversations and the tears and the fighting. The moving and working through.

The signal that we have reached a plateau of some kind in this process. It is a steep climb. My leg muscles quiver and my lungs ache and my stomach growls. This part of the hike was *hard*.

But the view is amazing. Even through tears.

Guest Author

Kelly Wilson is a speaker, comedian, and award-winning author who entertains and inspires with stories of humor, healing, and hope. She is the author of Don't Punch People in the Junk, Kelly Wilson's The Art of Seduction: Nine Easy Ways to Get Sex From Your Mate, and Caskets From Costco. Kelly is the cofounder of PTSD Parent, offering education and support about this condition through an entertaining and poignant podcast. Kelly is also cofounder of Mental Health at the Mic, where she teaches those whose lives have been affected by mental illness how to write and perform stand up comedy. Kelly writes for a living and continues to raise two junk-punching kids, a dog, two cats, and two guinea pigs in Portland, Oregon. Find out more about Kelly Wilson at www.wilsonwrites.com.

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Domestic Abuse and Faith: How Churches Can Help Instead of Hurt

12/29/2018

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What Happens When Churches Don’t Respond?

Did you know that domestic abuse is a very real problem in the Christian community? Dr. Benjamin Keyes, then Program Director/ Associate Professor, School of Psychology and Counseling Regent University, VA, said in a 2016 interview, “In Christian marriages we have a much greater frequency of domestic violence than we do in non-Christian homes.”

Dr. Keyes goes right to the heart of the problem: “Part of the reason is that in a traditional role structure, whether in an evangelical, fundamental, or charismatic home, the woman is subservient to the man.”

Domestic abuse or violence is defined as a pattern of abuse where one person exerts power and control over another in an intimate relationship. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, verbal, financial, or spiritual.

According to theology professor Steven Tracy in an article for ABC news, “It is widely accepted by abuse experts (and validated by numerous studies) that evangelical men who sporadically attend church are more likely than men of any other religious group (and more likely than secular men) to assault their wives.”

False Theology and Thin Religion

Surely churches that hear of abuse rush to the aid of the victims, right? Unfortunately, no.

(For real-life accounts of spiritual abuse by church, click here and here to read guest blog posts.)

All too often pastors and parishioners encourage women to stay in an abusive marriage. The reality is, if a victim of spousal abuse who’s afraid for her or her children’s safety goes to church for help, rarely does the church have the necessary protocols in place. Church leaders may even urge the abused to forgive and reconcile with their abusers, emphasizing a theology of suffering, and using Scripture to elevate the sanctity of the marriage covenant over the safety of the abused.

Men may also be victims of domestic abuse:
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
(I haven't been able to find any information on abuse against Christian men in particular.)

Simon Smart, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, referred to theologian Miroslav Volf’s observation in an article about how “Submit to your husbands” is misinterpreted. Volf calls the misinterpretation “thin religion ... stripped of its moral content and used as a weapon for goals completely unrelated to the faith.” This may be the case when pastors and male leaders in the church seek to retain control and keep women out of leadership.

Dr. Keyes suggested that women stay because of finances or their children and that they often do not see a way out. An article, #WhyIStayed: How Some Churches Support Spousal Abuse reveals other reasons.

Spousal abuse may be considered a “family issue” and not a criminal offense. Reconciliation and forgiveness by the abused is often more convenient than facing the seriousness of the problem.
Women are seen as inferior to men. Church leaders take Bible passages concerning the role of women out of context, falsely claiming women are to be silent and to submit to male authority.
Churchgoers and victims themselves may have fears about being “bad Christian witnesses” to the congregation and the secular community if the abuse is revealed.

Today, more and more churches are realizing they’ve too often been enablers of domestic abusers.

What Happens When Churches Don’t Respond
Today, more and more churches are learning that their responses to abused parishioners have been wrong, pure and simple. They’re realizing they’ve too often been enablers of domestic abusers.

Emotional trauma to the victim.
If a woman decides to leave her abusive spouse, she often leaves the church as well after discovering it does not support her decision to leave a dangerous relationship. This parting can be an additional source of trauma, because the church may have been an important part of her life. The result: the one place an abuse victim can go to for safety and support becomes a place of pain and shame — in other words, more abuse.

Physical trauma to the victim.
A woman who is pressured by the church to stay in an abusive marriage may very well suffer physical harm by staying. In fact, she could be in danger of losing her life at the hands of her abuser. A short video by Safe Havens, an interfaith partnership against domestic violence, gives contrasting real-life examples of the impact of different

ways churches respond to domestic abuse victims. In one instance of a church encouraging the victim to return to her abuser, sadly, she died at the hands of her abuser.

The church could bring harm to itself.
Often a church isn’t aware of its legal obligations, let alone attuned to its responsibilities as an institution entrusted with the spiritual care of parishioners. Why is that? A church that chooses to turn its back on domestic abuse victims in hopes of protecting its image may in fact be harming itself. In the article, Why Domestic Violence in the Home Endangers Your Church, church security expert Carl Chinn says, “As Christians, we are dedicated to the preservation of the marriage, as we should be. But when there is abuse, or even the suspicion of it, we, as the church, often refuse to recognize it for the danger it is.” Chinn says this is a mistake with potentially grave consequences. Statistics show that, in 2016, eleven of the forty-seven murderous attacks at churches and ministries had the same cause: domestic violence.

Churches can also end up in legal trouble.
An article in Relevant magazine, This Is How Churches Should Respond to Abuse, explains that, “Each state has different mandatory reporting laws, but churches must engage local law enforcement who are trained and equipped to investigate [abuse] accusations. Elder boards acting like arm-chair investigators do far more harm than good.”

The article goes on to state that pastors can be “naïve and easily manipulated.” They are often recruited to speak on behalf of the abuser during legal proceedings. Rarely do they speak in support of the victim. We should ask what is wrong with this picture and how can we be change agents.

A Better Way
How can churches become places of safety and support for abuse victims? What could compel them and how would they begin? Following are steps I’ve gleaned from various sources that churches can take.

Become informed and share that information
Understand what domestic abuse is, realizing victims of abuse are very possibly in the congregation. The church needs to be alert to the signs of domestic abuse and recognize its unique role in helping abused women who see the church as a safe place to come for help. Physical violence is often the most obvious abuse, but women also experience verbal, emotional, or sexual abuse by their husbands or partners.

Once church leaders have become informed, it’s important for them to educate the congregation on how they can support the abused. Begin with sermons on the subject. A study called I Believe You: Sexual Violence and the Church, by Sojourners found that, of pastors who responded to a survey, 65 percent had addressed domestic and sexual violence once or never in a sermon, 22 percent addressed it annually, 33 percent mentioned it “rarely,” and 10 percent had never taught on it. Change needs to happen from the pulpit to the pews.

Many churches quick to teach submission are often slow to point out that women were also among the followers of Christ - Beth Moore

Other ideas for disseminating information include studies in the adult Sunday school curriculum on family violence and the prevention of violence, as well as Bible studies about women and their value. In a letter to her Christian brothers, author Beth Moore wrote, “I’m asking for your increased awareness of some of the skewed attitudes many of your sisters encounter. Many churches quick to teach submission are often slow to point out that women were also among the followers of Christ (Luke 8), that the first recorded word out of His resurrected mouth was ‘woman’ (John 20:15), and that same woman was the first evangelist.”

Validate
When a victim comes forward, it’s critical that church leaders’ first impulse is to listen and believe the victim’s feelings and listen to her story. In a Lifeway Research Survey of evangelistic protestant pastors titled Protestant Pastors’ Current Responses to Domestic Violence, about 50 percent said they would believe the victim, 68 percent said they would investigate whether domestic violence was really present, and 46 percent of mainline protestant pastors would investigate rather than fully support the victim.

“When a woman reports domestic violence and her report is discredited or dismissed,” says Penelope Hefner, principal and family law attorney at Sodoma Law Union in an article for domesticshelters.org, “it not only takes away from her pain, but it sends a message to the aggressor that the action is acceptable.”

Assess her level of safety
Churches can reduce trauma and even save lives by taking action to help abused women get to a safe place. They must remember an investigation of the abuser’s actions could prove fatal to the victim, if he feels threatened and takes his abuse to a higher level.

Partner with community services
It’s vital for churches to reach out to the community for support. The church and the community become stronger when they work together. The church should offer informed counseling or help the victim connect with other resources within the community. Community organizations will have access to government resources and training not available to the church.

Offer support and unconditional love
Connecting victims with support groups, prayer partners, and providing ongoing emotional and practical support are other important roles churches can play. Churches should prepare to offer support and guidance for years, not days or months, even if the victim is receiving professional counseling.

In conclusion
While many churches historically have fallen short of being places of refuge and active support to victims of domestic abuse, all churches need to develop the resources to help reverse this troubling crisis.

Coming up
Would you like to hear about the results of churches implementing policies to support victims of domestic abuse? So would I. I’ve already begun contacting those in the know, and will be reporting back to you, as well as providing a list of resources. If you know of an example of how a church has chosen to help, please let me know in the comments below. Stay tuned!

Blessings,

Author

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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How Your Church Can Help Heal Victims of Abuse: Spotlighting a Group of Churches That are Doing It Right

11/26/2018

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I’ve heard many stories (and featured some in my blog) of women abused by their churches. When I say abused, I’m referring to the emotional abuses of shaming, shunning, and slandering by pastors as well as physical abuse. In too many churches, women are blamed or disbelieved or disregarded when asking church leaders for protection from their abusive husbands. And if a woman calls attention to her husband’s abusive behavior, decides to divorce because of abuse, or calls out abusive leaders in the church, she may lose all emotional support, and, sometimes, even membership in her church, often leaving herself more vulnerable than ever to abuse.

These negative attitudes and practices toward women are not biblical.

The Apostle Paul declared, “You are all sons [people] of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:20-28)

James A. Borland1 gives three examples of Jesus’ attitude toward, and treatment of, women: 1) “Jesus regularly addressed women directly while in public. This was unusual for a man to do [in that day],” 2) “He spoke in a thoughtful, caring manner to women,”3) “He held women personally responsible for their own sin as seen in his dealings … Each had the personal freedom and a measure of self-determination to deal with the issues of sin, repentance, and forgiveness.”These negative attitudes and practices toward women are not biblical. The Apostle Paul declared, “You are all sons [people] of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:20-28)

Women were treated much like slaves in Jesus’ day.

Women stayed home and took care of domestic duties. But Jesus allowed women to travel with Him and the twelve disciples (Luke 8:1-3). Women were rarely even spoken to by men when they ventured outside the home. But as Beth Moore, American evangelist, author, and Bible teacher, wrote in a May 3rd, 2018 post, A Letter to My Brothers, 2 “Many churches quick to teach submission are often slow to point out that women were also among the followers of Christ (Luke 8), that the first recorded word out of His resurrected mouth was 'woman' (John 20:15), and that same woman was the first evangelist." Moore continued, “I’m asking for your deliberate and clearly conveyed influence toward the imitation of Christ in His attitude and actions toward women."

Recognizing the disparity between Jesus’ teaching about women, and the treatment of women in many churches today, we need to be asking for the same consideration Beth Moore has asked for.

Recently, a friend, Lizbeth Meredith (see her recent guest post), sent me hope of this happening in a description of an interfaith prayer vigil for victims of domestic violence in Kodiak, Alaska. The vigil is a beautiful example of a group of churches making a concerted effort in supporting women in abusive situations, as they believe Christ would have them do.

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Sponsored by the Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center (KWRCC), the vigil is held every October. “It’s a time when the different faith communities get together. We read the names of every domestic violence homicide victim in our young state’s history. The spiritual leaders make sure their various congregations understand that they are resources for victims of abuse. There is no shame or blame for the victims. It’s a powerful experience,” Lizbeth wrote.

She graciously put me in touch with Beth Davis, Outreach Coordinator and Faith Advocate at KWRCC. “I advocate for clients who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault,” Beth told me in a phone call. “Our mission is to help women develop inner strength and achieve their fullest potential. We are dedicated to the prevention and elimination of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault by providing education and promoting community awareness.”

KWRCC provides resources and crisis services to the community, as well as a shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They support a 24-hour crisis line, give the women a space to heal with support groups and classes, and help them access other community services.

As part of her work, Beth offers resource information to twenty nine churches plus smaller groups that are a part of the active faith community. She explained that, because Kodiak is a small island, “Everybody knows everybody,” which allows for close communication and cooperation among the churches.

“Everybody knows everybody,” which allows for close communication and cooperation among the churches.

I asked Beth to tell me more about the vigil. “The prayer vigil is only about an hour long and includes several scripture readings, prayers, songs and hymns, and a message on what domestic violence is and is not. In the three years I’ve been here as Outreach Coordinator, I’ve tried to involve every major denomination as well as people and organizations that encounter victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. That includes state troopers, the Kodiak police department, law offices, the hospital chaplain, mental health providers, local business people … everybody and every agency we work with in supporting domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

“Beyond the prayer vigil, I wanted to find more resources for helping the churches be a safe place [for victims of domestic violence],” she continued. “I discovered Safe Havens, an interfaith organization, with headquarters in Boston, MA, that promotes hope and justice for victims and survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse, and asked them if they would come to Kodiak to do some training.”

I wanted to find more resources for helping the churches be a safe place [for victims of domestic violence].

The four-day training, which occurred three years ago, included people from “all kinds of spiritual directions,” and covered domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, all within the faith perspective. Twelve churches were represented, with pastors, co-pastors and other church leaders attending. “People experiencing abuse don’t always go to their busy pastors,” Beth noted. “They may go to others in the church who are more available and with whom they feel safe. But it’s important to hear from the pulpit that their pastors are advocates.”

“We talk about psychological, spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial abuse … everything."

I asked Beth what subtopics are covered in “domestic violence.”
“We talk about psychological, spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial abuse … everything.

“Part of our contract with Safe Havens was to bring a couple of people in the faith community [to Boston] for more training a year later. I was able to bring a Catholic priest and a Russian Orthodox deacon who is also a teacher at the local Russian Orthodox seminary.”

“On the surface, most of us can agree that abuse is not good.”

“On the surface, most of us can agree that abuse is not good,” Beth said. “But, both the abused and the abusers are sitting in the pews. We need to be painting a picture in our churches of what healthy relationships look like. God has told us a lot about honoring and respecting one another. The Word teaches us how to relate, the Spirit brings conviction when needed, and we are called to walk humbly and compassionately with each other.”

To sum up, here are the main actions these churches have taken to support abused women:

They’ve made focusing on the problem of abuse a priority.
By participating in an annual event, they keep a focus on the problem.
They openly acknowledge and grieve the loss of victims of abuse.
They’re willing to invest time and resources in training.
They recognize that they are stronger and more effective when they come together to work on this problem.

I thanked Beth for the example she and the Kodiak churches are setting as they seek to help and heal the abused in their congregations. I pray this is a sign of things to come throughout the Church world-wide.

1, Borland, James, Jesus's Countercultural View of Women, https://www.crossway.org/articles/how-jesus-viewed-and-valued-women/
2. Moore, Beth, A Letter to My Brothers, https://blog.lproof.org/2018/05/a-letter-to-my-brothers.html

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who need to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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Abused, Ignored, and Finally Restored

11/12/2018

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Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash

Lizbeth Meredith, author of award-winning memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters is my guest blogger this week. I was captivated by Lizbeth's story. With it's real-life dramatic twists and turns, it kept me reading. But what has remained with me is her account of overcoming the abuse she experienced at the hands of her husband. And I wanted to know more about the response of her church during that time, and what her faith looks like today.

Abused, Ignored, and Finally Restored
by Lizbeth Meredith

I gave less attention to selecting a husband than I did adopting a kitten.

Back in 1985, nearing 21, I was feeling incredibly small, vulnerable, and in need of rescuing. I’d left my volatile family of origin for college at 17. Neither of my parents finished high school, yet I’d set my sights on college. I moved to Washington and made wonderful friends. But scholastically, I belly-flopped.

So, I returned to Alaska a collegiate failure and got a job as a maid. I leap when an older man from what seemed like an exotic country (Greece) paid me some attention. I was saved.

This man appeared to love everything about me, wanted to be with me constantly, and let me know that he saw everything that came between us -- my friends, my job, my interests -- as a waste of time. Ninety days after first meeting, we married.

That love and attention ended just as quickly.

It was my idea to leave the charismatic church I’d attended to convert to the Greek Orthodox faith. I wanted my marriage to work. I was happy to learn about my husband’s culture. His language. His family. I ditched my last name for his, erasing my identity for his.

The Greek Orthodox Church soon became one of the few places I could go and not raise my husband’s ire.

Back in the late 80’s, no one talked about abuse in marriage or domestic violence. We didn’t have the words to name it. It had only recently become illegal for an American man to strike his wife.

I never meant to minimize what was happening in my marriage.

I just didn’t want to run my husband’s reputation in to the ground so that he’d not be welcome in church again. So instead I hinted at what was going on. “My husband didn’t come home for a week.” (Translation: The kids and I are out of food, and I have no access to money or transportation.)

“My husband doesn’t like me to talk about our relationship.” (Translation: My husband doesn’t want people to know how he’s treating me.)

“I’m feeling hopeless and afraid in my marriage. (Translation: My husband has threatened to kill me if I try to leave him, or otherwise take the children and disappear.)

Perhaps it shouldn’t have surprised me when parishioners said things like “You’ve made your bed. You have to lie in it,” or “You don’t want your kids to have a broken home.”

I felt I was being held accountable for my husband’s conduct.

Fast forward four and a half years from our wedding day. I was jobless. Hopeless. Then on the floor, near- lifeless. My two-year-old daughter screaming as her father did his best to strangle me.

Later, reactions from parishioners were mixed. “Why don’t you forgive and forget? ”Maybe you’re not giving as much to the marriage as you should.” Yet a brave priest reached out and urged me to get an annulment. “This was not your fault. An annulment would allow you to marry again in the Orthodox Church.”

I did not get an annulment. Nor did I remarry in the Orthodox Church, or anywhere else, for that matter. I remained wary of investing in a church home again. My trust in God remained, but so did a lasting distrust of all that man-made religions sought to control.

What I did do was get a lot of counseling, for me and for my kids. I got a divorce. I got a degree, and then another. And I got a fabulous job as a domestic violence advocate and later found work as a probation officer, where on a good day, I tell both staff, victims, and offenders about the dynamics of domestic violence and the long-term impact growing up in it has on our mental, physical, and even financial health.

I remind young people that when making a decision with lifelong consequences such as picking a partner, it merits plenty of time and attention.

Last October, I was honored to attend Kodiak, Alaska’s annual interfaith community prayer service for victims of domestic violence, hosted in part by Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center. For over twenty years, Kodiak’s spiritual leaders set their differences aside and join in a community-wide ceremony to honor the slain victims of domestic violence. There, they remind the community, that (paraphrased):

We understand the prevalence of intimate partner violence and its crushing impact. We understand that this (faith) community does not have all the answers, and we refer you to the local shelter for information and support. We understand the secrecy and isolation surrounding domestic violence and invite you to talk about it with us in confidence.
You are safe here.
You are not judged.
You are not alone.

The impact a faith community has in addressing (or not addressing) domestic violence is powerful. If more spiritual leaders offered themselves as a support and as a referral source, victims could safely address their safety issues and remain in their faith families.

For myself, I ended up with an abiding faith and an ever-growing skepticism of how people organize religion to suit their own needs and promote a power structure rather than please God. And my personal belief from the experience is that a loving God does not want to exclude anyone.

Lizbeth Meredith is the author of award-winning memoir Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters. Pieces of Me was released as audiobook in 2018.
Lizbeth lives in Anchorage, Alaska, close to her two grown daughters. She is a member and infrequent attender of a Methodist Church that welcomes women and humans of every gender, race, and orientation as children of God. Recently, Lizbeth spent many weeks agonizing over which kittens to adopt.
You may reach Lizbeth at lameredith.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lizbethmeredithfan or on Twitter@ LizbethMeredith.

Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or supported? There are hurting people who need to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com

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