Churches
When confronted with the need to act, a church leader said to me "We are not a court”.
The church does not need to be a court.
What the church needs to be is transparent.
It needs to own when it has gone wrong and repent.
It needs to act.
It needs to offer reconciliation where victims want that.
It needs to be a safe space for victims and survivors of abuse.
In essence, it needs to be like Jesus.
Where senior leaders fail, junior leaders and members of the church must speak up.
We can do better, church.
Jesus Overturned Tables
When Jesus saw people abusing others in the House of God his response was active, not passive. His righteous anger led him to overturn the tables in the Temple and to call out the abuse that was misrepresenting God. His righteous anger led him to action. We must first be angry about abuse and then use that righteous anger to lead us to action to seek justice.
The Church can no longer remain silent, conceal or minimise abuse.
Like Jesus, our response must be to act.
"The biblical doctrine of God's wrath is rooted in the doctrine of God as the good, wise and loving creator, who hates--yes, hates, and hates implacably--anything that spoils, defaces, distorts or damages his beautiful creation, and in particular anything that does that to his image-bearing creatures. If God does not hate racial prejudice, he is neither good nor loving. If God is not wrathful at child abuse, he is neither good nor loving. If God is not utterly determined to root out from his creation, in an act of proper wrath and judgment, the arrogance that allows people to exploit, bomb, bully and enslave one another, he is neither loving, nor good, nor wise."
NT Wright on The Wrath of God
How can we respond?
Learn
Whether you are a church leader, volunteer or church member, start, and continue to listen and learn.
The Shiloh Project, Restored UK and Rape Crisis England and Wales
offer helpful resources to start or continue your journey of learning.
Act
Hagar’s Voice is an organisation set up to address abuse and sexual abuse in church and religious contexts. Whatever position you find your church in, they aim to guide you and walk with you.
Give
Many organisations are working to move the needle against sexual violence and abuse. In England and Wales, Rape Crisis is a good place to start giving.
You can support my fundraiser for Rape Crisis England & Wales here.
