Join Julie Bonn Blank and guest, author and speaker Laura Petherbridge, as we discuss why the Church seems unable to address abuse well in their congregations, what we can do to help protect our children when they are with the abusive parent and the challenges blended families might experience when the first marriage was abusive.
I know my church is an older congregation and most have not heard of the words, ‘domestic violence!’ Many couples have been married for 30-60 years and have had safe and secure Christian marriages. It is such a complicated subject they truly don’t know what to do or how to do it. There are many dimensions and layers to this and they don’t have the experience. I really don’t know! I have shared with them part of my journey thru domestic violence and no one has ever asked me to talk about it or anything! I have not reached out further because I personally don’t feel they truly want to address it; its out of their comfort zone! So, I try to listen to others who are going thru it and help or refer them to ARMS. I’m assuming each congregation is different! Wish we could talk about it further.
I also feel there needs to be classes and talks more about having healthy relationships and marriages. “If we can’t keep our marriages together we can’t keep a nation together!” I’m seeing more and more our Christian men need to learn how to be the leaders of relationships and our homes and what that looks like! Men are to be the leaders of our homes and if they are not; it falls! Like I said above there are many layers and all the layers need to be addressed.
Thanks for listening, Kathy. We would like to note that God created us all equal and expects partnerships in our relationships. If a man leads, he is to lead as Jesus does, and not use controlling and abusive behavior. Although marriage is important, it is not more important than the people within the marriage union. Yes, more on healthy relationships needs to be taught. We appreciate your support!