Disciples Together
May 5, 2014

Domestic violence: A silent, 

life-stealing situation

by Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker, executive director, Greater Dayton Christian Connections

 

Our lives are important to God. In John 10:10, Jesus says that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." NIV

 

In domestic violence situations some would say Satan uses humankind to steal, kill and destroy. Domestic violence steals the family structure, it kills thousands a year and it destroys the victims, children and the belief in a caring God. One in every four women in the United States is a victim of domestic violence. Eighty-five percent of the victims of domestic violence are women and 15 percent of the victims are men according to the United States Department of Justice. Each day in the United States at least 3 women are killed by their spouses or intimate partners and 1 male is killed by their spouses or intimate partners.[1] By those estimates 1,005 women and 335 men were killed in 2013. No matter how we try to gloss over these facts, domestic violence is happening in our churches. As pastors we are responsible to lift the veil of silence on this subject.

 

Pastors Against Domestic Violence in Dayton, Ohio, has begun an initiative to help lower these alarming statistics. An ecumenical group of eight pastors and regional denominational leaders met to design a training program for pastors to help them better counsel with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. These pastors are able to partner with local organizations and law enforcement to develop safety programs for the victims and their children and they are able to answer questions on faith issues bought up by victims in domestic violence incidents. 

 

"Clergy are seen as representatives of God, and when faith leaders fail to address the sin of domestic violence, it is seen that God is condoning domestic violence."[2] PADV is also partnering with the local domestic violence advocacy to help bring together a group of pastors who will train to be advocates for victims in the court system. Government funding is being cut at an alarming rate and the much needed services for victims and their children are decreasing as well as the services that are offered to them.

 

We would like to see this program grow in communities all across the United States. You and your colleagues can assist in this growth by participating in a training program. Contact Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker at [email protected] or [email protected] for additional information. We look forward to partnering with you to help lift the silence from domestic violence. 

 

Additional links under the pastor tab in the Resource Center.  |  2003 General Assembly resolution on violence toward women  |  2001 General Assembly resolution to join Decade to Overcome Violence  |  Faith Trust Institute

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[1] "Violence Against Women Act Working Together to End Violence: 15 Years," United States Department of Justice, accessed April 28, 2014,  http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/docs/qa-factsheet.pdf.

[2] Crystal Walker, "Silence Is No Longer an Option: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence" (diss., United Theological Seminary, 2014), 1.

 
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Endowment helps church grow

by Jim Cullumber, CCF staff

 

First Christian Church in Bowling Green, Ky., is known as the church that reaches beyond itself to make a difference, thanks in part to a growing endowment that provides thousands of dollars each year for outreach projects.

 

Because faithful members have included the congregation in their legacy gift plans, the church's endowment has grown to more than $3 million in less than 13 years - all while making annual distributions of about 5 percent of the fund's market value each year.

 

These distributions are making a significant difference, locally and beyond. The list of outreach recipients is long, ranging from funding a house for Habitat for Humanity and programming for children and adults with Down Syndrome to a equipping a room at an area hospice center and supporting an agency working with the homeless.  The endowment has allowed the congregation to make special gifts to the region's camp program. The endowment policy also provides a stream of funding to help maintain church facilities.

 

This is all done, says Senior Minister John Wesley, in addition to the gifts provided by the congregation each year. "I've seen how income from our endowment fund has grown our ministry. And it has helped our membership become better stewards."

 

The church's local reputation is so widespread that when questioned, many new members say they chose First Christian Church because they want to be part of a congregation making such a difference in the community.

 

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