Help and Healing for Divorced Christians
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Recovering from Divorce?
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 I was surprised that they [Christian friends] would turn away from me in my time of need when I was feeling scared and needed support to move out. This message to me opened old wounds. It's been twenty years since I divorced my husband, and yet, I immediately felt this woman's pain. I'd had a similar unwelcome experience back then. Here's this readers' entire comment.
As I continue writing for divorced Christians, I sometimes ask myself why I'm spending so much energy trying to raise awareness about divorce issues in the Christian community. I've thought perhaps that by now the majority of Christians and their churches have finally realized that God does not condemn us to harmful circumstances like marriages that can't be repaired. Don't they know He wants what's best for us? That being abused is the opposite? My heart sank when I read this woman's words. I so wished I could hug her. I immediately thought, "What would Jesus do?" I believed I knew the answer: Jesus would hug her, and he'd tell her He understood, assuring her He was already walking beside her as she moved into an uncharted future. Those folks who call themselves Christians but turn their backs on hurting people, remind me of the Matthew 7: 9-11 (NIV) passage. "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Unfortunately, and obviously from my new friend's experience, we divorced Christians are still begging for grace and mercy. We are being given stones instead by certain segments of the Christian community. I've written several blog posts on this subject, the most comprehensive one is "My Perspective: What I Believe God Wants Us to Know About Christian Divorce." Having an intellectual understanding of this issue is helpful. However, I wanted my new friend to be comforted on a more personal emotional level. Here's what I felt the Lord wanted her to know: Dear Hurting Christian, If you are like my friend, and you've been hurt by your church and fellow Christians, I hope you'll come to understand they are not speaking for the Lord. I pray you seek out those who are mirror the Lord's love, and that you allow yourself to comforted by His care and provision. Blessings,  AuthorLinda 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? 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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 Divorced Christians often find themselves ostracized by the very churches that once gave them love. That invisible "No Longer Welcome Sign" tears at the heart and leaves an already hurting person with deeper pain. Why do so many Christian churches shame and shun their own people? A false interpretation of the bible may be one reason. Sometimes there is also fear that the "divorce germ" may spread, influencing others to leave their spouses. Whatever the reason, the victims of this behavior often leave church, never to return. I've been in those shoes. One pastor told me straight out that since I'd been the one to choose divorce, I could never be a full participant in his church. "Why don't you go to the church down the road?" he suggested. I decided to "kick the dust off" of his church and follow his advice. Here's what I know about finding and loving the church where you belong: 1. Observe and ask questions Is the church a place where you will hear God's word? Does it adhere to Biblical principles? Is it a place where you will find encouragement? A chance to fellowship with other believers? A place where you can use your gifts and talents? What programs does the church offer? If your newly divorced, does it have a divorce care ministry? 2. Conduct interviews Conduct interviews with the pastor and/or church leaders in person or on the phone. Talk with members you know. Study any literature they have about the denomination. Look at their website. 3. Be wise Look for possible areas that would make you stumble: the position of women in the church, a personality cult around the pastor, the amount of authority the church exercises in its members' lives, etc. 4. Attend a membership class Continue to ask questions of, and become acquainted with, its leaders and members. Read Paul's letters to the Corinthians for specifics on what a church ought and ought not be. Also read Peter's warnings. II Peter 2:1-3 Did the "church down the road" meet my needs? Yes, for a time, mostly because it had a large singles ministry where I found my "tribe," and I liked the preaching. However, because I disagreed with it's position on women's role in the church, I did not join. Have you found yourself unwelcome in your church? Don't despair; keep looking. There's a fellowship out there that's going to nurture you with truth and Godly love. Blessings,  AuthorLinda 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 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 ReligionSurely 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.)
 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.
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.
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,  AuthorLinda 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  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. Want my 10 Steps for a more joyful life after divorce?  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.
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:
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  Photo by Fredrick Suwandi on Unsplash You've made the difficult decision to divorce, and you're in shock, trying to navigate your new reality. You'd welcome a little compassion from your church body. But perhaps your experience is like that of too many Christians ... you receive obvious signals you're now considered an outlier. My good friend, Betsy Diedrick, explores this issue in her guest post, Misfit. Misfit There was no happily ever after for you. Just a shattering. The marriage, the hopes for your future together. Two hearts that had become one, now ripped apart, bleeding. Left behind, only raw emotions, rejection, a sense of failure or guilt, financial consequences, and the kids … let’s not even go there. So we turn to God for the solace He promises. And in His arms, He tenderly cradles us through the worst of it, leading us into His Psalms, where we gain just enough buoyancy to come up for a gulp of air. Giving us just enough confidence to venture back into His house for the comfort and encouragement we so desperately seek. Into the arms of … the polite smiles on the stiffened bodies we attempt to hug. Or worse, the cold shoulders we bump into. Because, after all, you did know that infidelity was the only reason for divorce, didn’t you? So why do you now feel so awkward or unwanted in your Christian house of worship that had once fit so snugly? Something has changed. Subtly, or strikingly. The degree to which, will affect your emotions and healing. You have felt their collective verdict … guilty, guilty, guilty! Guilty on all counts of upsetting the status quo, of breaking the unspoken rules. You are different now, you don’t fit the mold of a “Christian couple.” It’s no longer two by two wandering up the plank to board the arc. Just you flying solo as you approach the threshold. As you are about to board the vessel you are quoted an appropriate Bible verse, and the door slides shut in your face. You gape in disbelief from the outside, when the first drop of rain hits your nose. At least, that’s how it feels. The previous wounds of your divorce now have more pain heaped upon them. This new rejection is magnified because, for crying out loud, these are your people, God’s followers who were supposed to come to your aid and support. And they’ve failed you miserably. Why? Why would they ever do that? That answer simply, is because they can’t help themselves. Some only know self-righteousness; they are quick to judge and brilliant with just the right Bible verse to realign your behavior smack dab back into Godly thinking. Ouch! Some, you make uncomfortable. Everything felt safe and secure in church until you changed the balance. What was once stable is now rocking, especially if their marriages might be a little shaky, because let’s face it, at some point we are all vulnerable. Wives’ radar immediately defaults to high alert for divorced females. Group-think bonds them together, keeping you at bay. Add a dash of fear and uncertainty. Could their marriage be next? Or is it that character trait of yours that has caused your downfall, the one that needs to be jerked up on the choke chain. A little dose of ostracization might help you to confess and repent. Oh my! Sad isn’t it? Judge, jury, and executioner. And all you were looking for was some acceptance and support from the people in God’s house who had once seemed so compassionate. Here is the lesson meant for you: If those who have hurt you truly have a heart for God, their time will come. Be assured that He is observing and will teach them their own lessons He wants them to learn, in His timing. Unfortunately for them, His trials, as you well know, can be painful. Nothing happens to you that God has not already filtered through His fingers. He is using your current suffering to purify you, to help you stretch and strengthen, so that one day this experience will enable you to help others in their walk. Although exceedingly painful, He is growing you, teardrop by teardrop, to be more like Him, filling your soul with compassion, and understanding, and love for others. All the things you sought but could not find in His house, because the people there have not yet suffered as you have. They cannot understand, because they may not have reached spiritual maturity. You are different from them now. They feel it. But not different in a bad way, which is the only way they can interpret what they see in your situation. You are different in a beautiful way, because the intensity of your suffering is purifying your soul. And when you are able to heal a little more, and let your guard down just a little, you will begin to see this. You will know it’s there when you have stopped judging and feel empathy for those in your same situation, or any plight. As horrible as this experience has been, the divorce, your painful recovery, any ostracism you have endured, it really is a gift. You see, had you gone along in your day-to-day life, you wouldn’t have needed God as much. And when you don’t need Him, even though you can be grateful, it’s hard to grow. Remember how He wants us to no longer be babes merely drinking milk. You were just served up a seven-course meal. It’s just going to take a little time to digest. A little more time to forgive all those who have hurt you. But after you have transitioned through this, I promise, you will look back and say, “I am different, but not defective. Through my suffering I have become even more beautiful in the eyes of God.” And really, what else ultimately matters? AuthorBetsy Diedrick is a professional writer living in Arlington, WA. A child of God, she writes on topics close to her heart. You can contact her at Betsydiedrick@gmail.com or find out more about her on her website: www.betsydiedrick.com . Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? 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  The parallel between the abuse of women by men in power in the secular world and the abuse of women by men in power in the Christian world is no coincidence. In a previous blog post, I used as examples Harvey Weinstein, disgraced film producer, who prompted the #MeToo movement, and Paige Patterson, disgraced ex-president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary whose behavior prompted the #ChurchToo movement. The correlation is no accident! I’ve explored how traditional translations of the bible were heavily influenced by society’s view of the roles of women and men. The sad truth is that the teachings of Jesus and the apostle Paul concerning women, and other low-status peoples, have been skewed by these translations to mean quite the opposite … women as second class citizens who are not due equal respect and benefits. Biblical verses have been used for generations to back up this view. Women were considered by society, including many Christians, to be at the service of men. From the beginning, Eve desired her husband, Adam, and he ruled over her. The apostle Paul is quoted as saying, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Both have been used through the ages to support the notion of men’s superiority and have become examples of biblical patriarchy. You might wonder how divorce fits into this dynamic. Traditionally, and in many conservative churches today, divorce has been considered an unpardonable sin. I won’t get into verses about divorce here. Suffice it to say that traditional translations can be, and often are, interpreted as divorce being forbidden except in the case of adultery by the offending spouse. Some conservatives even find that an insufficient reason to divorce. There was no attempt by these leaders to look further into biblical meaning and context of these verses. Why would they? If women were allowed to have an equal status in the church and in their marriages, male power would be threatened. Church leaders claimed the right to treat women in just about any way they chose. Following the example of church leaders, husbands were also given free rein to “lord it over” their wives. It seems clear to me that disallowing “divorce” from spiritually abusive churches, and actual divorce from physically and emotionally abusive marriages, kept the patriarchal church functioning. Once women would be free, as equal human beings to leave the abuse, the traditional church would come tumbling down. Traditional marriages would change, too. We see that dynamic happening today. The question, now, is what can we learn from the Jesus' teachings to form spiritually healthy churches and marriages. Stay tuned. Blessings,  Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? 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 AuthorLinda 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.  An interview with Pastor Cliff Tadema, Christ the King - Skagit. Second in a two-part series. Linda: Pastor Cliff, in the previous post, you said, spiritual abuse is consistently using a position of authority to impose something on somebody or to exert control over them through misapplying scripture. Church hurt doesn’t necessarily involve biblical interpretation and may be only a one-time event. We discussed the following steps you laid out for dealing with church hurt. Four Steps for Dealing with Church Hurt: 1. Live a Self-Examined Life. 2. Handle The Offenses Correctly. 3. Persist In Offering Grace. 4. Fix Your Eyes On Jesus. This blog has some examples of Christians being hurt by the church. I have summarized three of them here. Perhaps you can use their experiences to describe how the steps you outlined might play out.  Linda: If she had come to you and told you of her experience with her priest, would you have advised her to follow all four steps for dealing with church hurt, or is there another process you would recommend in this situation? Pastor Cliff: I wouldn’t advise her to go through the four steps. I wouldn’t want to make law out of that process. I would advise her to go to a Christian counselor or other pastor. I would say an alcoholic husband who is abusing his wife has broken his marriage vows.  Linda: If she had come to you and told you of her experience within that church, would you have advised her to follow all four steps for dealing with church hurt, or is there another process you would recommend in this situation? Pastor Cliff: What you are describing is "Man's Church." [Man’s church is all about what it looks like and what you do to look right. It’s about conformity. Man’s church uses fear as a calling card.] There’s no biblical basis for what she experienced. That church is making its own laws. They’re as bad as the Pharisees. They’re doing it so they can feel good about themselves. She was right to leave. I’m sorry she didn’t find another family of believers that she could be a part of, because we are designed to be in a grace-filled community.  Linda: If she had come to you and told you of her experience within her church, would you have advised her to follow all four steps for dealing with church hurt, or is there another process you would recommend in this situation? Pastor Cliff: Biblical submissiveness never means you should be a doormat. Mutual submission is designed for the guy to look out for his wife. I would tell this woman to immediately separate to protect herself and her daughter. Her husband has abandoned his vow to be the kind of man he’s supposed to be for his family. Is he willing to address his problem? Will he ask for forgiveness, change his life style, and be accountable? That would be the only reason to continue with the marriage. If the pastors of these man-based churches are going to use the passages in the bible about submission, they should not forget 1 Peter 3:7-9. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker [physically] partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate, and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessings, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Linda: So if husbands mistreat their wives, they miss out on being blessed! Pastor Cliff: That's right. About grace. Linda: You talk a lot about grace, so let’s conclude with that subject. Cliff: Grace requires a willingness to let go of control. It’s a very difficult way for a church to go. Sometimes church hurt happens inadvertently. But even if it’s spiritual abuse, who’s the judge? We have to trust the Holy Spirit. One thing is clear: no one has to submit to abuse within their marriage or in their church. Dear Reader, if you've found this interview interesting, I hope you'll note that in the comment section below. I'd love to dialog with you about this issue. Blessings,  Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? 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 AuthorLinda 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 issue. 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. I met Kathleen Pooler on line two or three years ago, and found we had much in common. She loves the Lord, as I do, and she's a mighty fine writer. I found her memoir, Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse, to be an encouraging read, and am always interested in what her guest bloggers have to say at Memoir Writers Journey. Here, Kathy shares a bit of her story regarding her struggles over divorce and how her church responded. Finding Grace Within the Church by Kathleen Pooler When I married for the first time at the age of twenty-four, I thought I knew what I was doing. My Catholic faith as well as my parent’s own loving marriage had infused me with the expectation that my vows were sacred and would endure life’s challenges. Despite the red flags—my prospective husband Ed’s excessive drinking, and his refusal to attend premarital counseling with the parish priest--I plunged full bore into a life of chaos and uncertainty. It turned out to be far from my dream of finding my Prince Charming. My growing awareness that Ed was an alcoholic and my life was out of control led me to the doorstep of the rectory where I sought the guidance of my parish priest, Father Fulton. Father Fulton was a young priest who sported a cowboy hat and cowboy boots at church functions. He loved to have a good time but he let me down at a time when I needed support and guidance. It was difficult to see beyond my own needs but as I think about it now, he probably had no idea how to help me. The guilt and shame of a possible divorce kept me locked in my own conspiracy of silence. A good Catholic girl in the 1970s did not entertain divorce. Excerpt from Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse One day I bundled six-month-old Leigh Ann up and dragged her through the snow on a sled, ending up three blocks away on the doorstep of the rectory of the Catholic Church, in tears. Ed had stayed out late again. Another bowling night when I couldn’t sleep. I felt exhausted and sad. I had thought for sure he would change his ways. I’m glad I didn’t give up on my church though. I’m glad I didn’t give up on my church though. Through my trials, I developed a personal bond with a loving God. Several years later, Father was transferred and replaced by an elderly priest who listened with his heart and gave me the tough love and guidance I needed to find my way through the single again world. I always had a faith in God and yet, it wasn’t until I was a single parent with two school-aged children after my first divorce that I found God in a personal way. However, I must have lost sight of that connection, for a few years after, when I met my second husband, I seemed to be driven by a need to be an intact family again rather than guided by faith. It turned out to be at a steep cost. But this soul-shattering mistake led me to a deeper faith and out of a dangerous situation. I began focusing on God as I prayed for discernment and sought guidance through scripture readings. This fed my hope that better days were ahead. I ended up mustering the courage to escape in broad daylight with my two school-age children from a man who showed the capability of being physically abusive. My church community has been very supportive. Back in the 80s when I was a single parent, I joined a group called Separated and Divorced Catholics. Though there was division within the church about accepting divorce, many clergy were open to the changing times and provided me and my children a safe place to nurture our faith and each other. I also went through the process of having my first marriage annulled by the Catholic Church. This was a healing process that enabled me to move forward in my life. With counseling, faith, supportive friends and family, I have been able to see my role in allowing abusive relationships and to forgive myself for subjecting myself and my children to unacceptable behavior. I am very grateful that I was able to extract myself from two abusive marriages and learn from my mistakes. In finding my voice, I found a life of joy, peace and gratitude. I finally feel deserving of all the gifts God wanted for me all along. I’m empowered knowing I am in charge of my choices. While some members of the clergy can be judgmental, I trust my God wants what’s best for me. I know this because every time I have cried out in pain, He has answered and filled me with the peace of His presence. In 1996, as I paced the floor in the emergency room, awaiting the results of a CT scan to identify the cause of shortness of breath and a persistent cough, I had cried out “Lord, give me strength for this battle of my life and for my life”. A sense of total peace washed over me that night and carried me through the next two years of treatment for Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “Be still, and know that I am God.” God wasn’t on the beach, watching a mountain sunrise, or dreaming by a babbling brook when he said those words he spoke. He was on the battlefield with me, giving me strength.
Kathy lives with her husband Wayne in eastern New York. She blogs weekly at her Memoir Writer’s Journey blog: http://krpooler.com. You can also find her at the following: Twitter @kathypooler https://twitter.com/KathyPooler LinkedIn: Kathleen Pooler: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/kathleen-pooler/16/a95/20a Google+:Kathleen Pooler: https://plus.google.com/109860737182349547026/posts Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4812560-kathleen-pooler Facebook: Personal page, Kathy Pooler : https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.pooler Author page, Kathleen Pooler/Memoir Writer’s Journey: https://www.facebook.com/memoirwritersjourney Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/krpooler/ Linda says: Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? 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 Deep Wounds Remain by ECGI’m in a good place, and reliving it as I put it into writing, opens deep wounds I don’t want to open right now. I can simply say this; there was not a good response from the church. [This was her husband’s church.] Even with counseling from the pastor, I was put into a worse category than the one who was deep into infidelity. I was told a woman should forgive and ignore the behaviors. Here's a quote I will never forget from the pastor about me: "You need to be cautious with her. She's damaged. If you explain more of the incidents that happened, she will become more fragile." Instead of dealing with what happened and how to move forward, I was labeled "damaged." It was suggested I confess before the church for any part I might have had in leading to my husband’s wanderings. He wasn’t asked to acknowledge his wrong doings, and he didn’t volunteer.  Our relationship issues were none of the church’s business. It was between us and God and our pastor for spiritual guidance and mediation. However, once counseling started, I was completely ostracized by the other women in the church — as if things that were said in counseling were shared. When they did talk to me, they were "kind, and concerned," quoting Proverbs 31 and suggesting I needed to be like that Proverbs woman. They insinuated that I hadn’t been, and that was why he strayed. I was the problem. Not because he had an addiction to sex or whatever you want to put as a label. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:25 – 29 When I left the church, not a single person called or even reached out to me. I washed my hands of them. Knowing that the spirit of God wasn't leading their judgment against me made leaving easier. Linda's note: I've been told that the writer is remarried and presently in a good church I am so grateful for all who have contributed their stories. If you have friends who have their own stories of divorce and the church, I hope you'll let information below. Let them know about the possibility of contributing as guest blogger. Blessings,  Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? 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 Spiritual Abuse in the Church by D.R.As the marriage progressed, I became aware of the duplicity of his motives, intentions and belief systems about marriage and women in general.
We were married only four months when I was in a near-fatal car accident and had a “near death experience (NDE)”. This event left me extremely unsettled and my grandmother suggested I join a church. Shortly after, we started attending bible studies at my sister-in-law’s church. About two years later, we were baptized and made our spiritual commitments publicly before the church. It was then we began hosting bible studies in our home and participating in lay-ministry in the community. My husband did not want me to work outside the home, so when my daughter was born I gave up my job. We had struggled with fertility issues for several years, and I was happy to be home. However, within two years of my daughter’s birth, he became passive-aggressive, prone to outbursts of anger with physical and emotional abuse. We were struggling financially because I wasn’t working and our plans to build a home were postponed. When we argued about this and other issues, he resorted to shoving me against the kitchen wall, getting close to my face in an intimidating way, and verbally berating me. Shortly after my daughter’s second birthday, she expressed a desire to see “the big truck that Daddy drives every day at work.” We made arrangements to meet for lunch and after eating at a local restaurant, I took pictures of my daughter sitting in the driver’s seat of the truck. As she was climbing down from the seat, she accidentally kicked the pile of papers under it and a stack of Playboy magazines fell onto the ground. My husband blushed and would not meet my eyes. At that moment, my eyes were opened to the possibility he was addicted to pornography. The evidence soon bore out, and I came to understand why he no longer approached me intimately. I told him he needed counseling or I would leave. We participated in marriage counseling twice, once for about six months with a pastor from another church in our denomination, then later with a Christian marriage and family therapist. There was never any accountability put before him; the only confession he offered was “I’ve done some things I shouldn’t have.” I was repeatedly told, by both counselors, that if I would follow the Bible’s teachings on submissiveness, our problems would be solved. I felt betrayed by the church and the therapist, and quit the counseling. I joined a support group for domestic violence survivors that was not affiliated with any church or denomination. After I made this change, my husband became more antagonistic. My concern for the safety of my daughter and myself intensified. There were several incidences in the middle of the night that lead me to believe that my daughter was in danger. She refused to sleep through the night, and I was exhausted from lack of rest. When I confronted him about this, he said I was crazy. The next few days he slept in another part of the house and we fought constantly. I felt terrified, my gut telling me to “get out.” I hastily packed up my car and left with my daughter. We lived in the car for a few days until a friend from the support group I was part of took us in. I contacted Child Protective Services and filed a restraining order. As the news of my situation gained momentum in my church, members and people in leadership shunned me. I sat alone with my daughter at church services and potlucks. Some members accused me of bringing an unclean spirit into the church. Ironically, within three years of my divorce, seven other marriages in the church were dissolved because of abuse and incest. I realized many years later, that my experience brought courage to others. The journey out of domestic violence is very much like coming out of prison. After years of manipulation, deception and betrayal, I lost my faith, my spiritual centeredness and individuality. I decided to choose a life of discovering who I was outside the dictates of denominational religion. I began studying alone at home which deepened my understanding of the biblical concepts of “chosen”, “forgiven”, “forsaken”, “redeemed” and divorce. I spent many years outside corporate churches and found unconditional love and acceptance in the support groups of which I was a part. I lived a solitary life with my daughter where we could heal and grow spiritually without oppression. I've been single for thirty years, and although I still desire a godly companion, I am reluctant to let another man into my life. Being the “Bride of Christ” is the safest and most nurturing relationship for me now! Linda's Comments: I want to thank D.R. for sharing her powerful story here. Re-visiting such painful events takes courage. From our correspondence, I know there were times she struggled with the emotions brought forth as she wrote this, but as her writing progressed, she experienced some healing. |
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