Proactive Communication ‘ From the Front ’
SEXUAL ABUSE
ADDRESSING SEXUAL ABUSE FROM THE PULPIT
Proactive Communication ‘ From the Front ’
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
In many churches , the topic of child sexual abuse is raised from the pulpit only in the context of an impending crisis within the ministry . Many ministry leaders hope to never need to address the issue of child sexual abuse from the pulpit .
The better path forward , however , is just the opposite : to proactively address child sexual abuse .
Why ? As a general rule , ministry leaders tend to treat sexual abuse as a marginal issue ; only relevant to a small subset of congregational members or participants . In reality , sexual abuse impacts everyone .
THE BROAD IMPACT OF SEXUAL ABUSE Kimberlee Norris : Several years ago , we participated in a panel discussion addressing a large crowd of lay and vocational ministry leaders . The moderator asked me if the topic of sexual abuse presented any stigma or risk of rejection as a topic ‘ from the front .’ In response , I asked the gathering of several hundred participants to stand . I then addressed them as follows :
“ I am going to describe four categories of people . In a moment , I will ask you to take a seat if you fit into one or more of these categories .
Category 1 : YOU were sexually abused as a child . Category 2 : YOUR SPOUSE was sexually abused as a child . Category 3 : YOUR CHILD or SIBLING was sexually abused as a child . Category 4 : Your ‘ brother or sister of the heart ’ was sexually abused as a child .
If you fit into one or more of these four categories , please take a seat .”
Every single participant sat . Aside from providing a dramatic and impactful illustration of the prevalence of child sexual abuse , this exercise hit home the reality that nearly all members of society are directly impacted by sexual abuse . So long as child sexual abuse remains taboo or secretive , abusers have the advantage of SILENCE . When child sexual abuse is discussed openly and honestly , molesters lose the advantage of SECRECY . In churches , sexual abuse should be addressed by senior leaders from the main stage . Leaders should preach about child
sexual abuse and create special events aimed at awareness , prevention and healing — both within the congregation and in the community . And , of course , ministries must provide effective preventative training to staff members , volunteers and parents within the congregation .
PREACHING SEXUAL ABUSE Gregory Love : April is Child Abuse Prevention Month . At a live training in Mississippi in March , a senior pastor — Dr . Mel — asked for suggestions concerning ‘ next steps ’ for his church . I suggested he preach about child sexual abuse during the month of April . When he asked for clarification , I explained the reality of the impact of child sexual abuse illustrated in the panel discussion described above . I suggested that he raise the topic from the pulpit and discuss the importance of the words : ‘ I believe you ’ and ‘ I see you .’ In other words , I challenged him to bring the subject into the light and work to dispel the untruths that bind many abuse survivors , such as ‘ this was my fault ’, ‘ no-one will believe me ’ or ‘ I did something to deserve this .’ At the same time , I cautioned this pastor , do not attempt this without preparation . Instead , pray over it . Prepare a care and counseling team and gather a list of local , regional and national resources . Prepare to listen patiently , offer resources for counseling and provide other forms of care .
56 CHURCH EXECUTIVE • STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE churchexecutive . com