December 29, 2019
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A Post-Christmas Reflection
As we celebrate and care for our wonderfully created bodies, we must acknowledge a tendency to place evil there, in our flesh, in our bodies.
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December 2, 2019
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May You Know How Much You're Worth
And it was here, in her words, that Advent found me. God found me, sending his precious son, an innocent lamb, telling us: “May you know how much you are worth.”
August 29, 2019
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On Pain and Lament
As many people who experience suffering from mental illnesses know, this affliction often causes extreme psychological and emotional anguish. I’ve personally found my most meaningful Scripture text in Lamentations.
December 4, 2018
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#Churchtoo - the Play, the Drama
The play, #ChurchToo, effectively and artfully touched on themes such as power imbalances, denial, silence, grooming, guilt on the part of the victim, and male heroes in the Bible who used their power and position to victimize women.
November 1, 2018
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An Evening With Tarana Burke, #MeToo Founder
Last night, I spent time with Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo Movement! She emphasized that my voice and my story mattered.
January 25, 2018
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Justice, Grace, and Worth: Rachael Denhollander's Victim Impact Statement
A must listen for the church: Rachael Denhollander powerfully delivers her Victim Impact Statement. Let’s listen, empathize, and respond with sacrificial actions in our communities.
December 4, 2017
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#MeToo and #ChurchToo
We’ve seen various responses to stories of sexual harassment and abuse, in the political realm and in the celebrity realm. What about in the Church? What will our response be?
September 16, 2017
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Abusers Among Us
Typically, those who trust others have a heart of empathy, are naively innocent (without “street smarts”), and are more easily taken advantage of. Predators know this and zero in on their target like a hunter on its prey.
June 14, 2017
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How to Deal With Abuse of My Children by Other Family Members?
This piece, by counselor Krispin Mayfield and originally published by Off the Page (here), offers compassionate guidance for families reeling after the disclosure of abuse within their family.
April 11, 2017
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You Are Safe Here
Participating in Assault Awareness Month is not nearly as difficult or uncomfortable as many assume. How will your church make survivors feel safe this month?
October 18, 2016
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Trump, Assault, and Standing Up for Women
This is a painful election that is in many ways dividing this country and the church. But please, when it comes to assault against women, let’s not be divided.
August 23, 2016
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Fighting for Justice: Lessons From the Struggle Against Abuse in Sports
During the Rio Olympics, a disappointing report was unveiled, detailing years of USA Gymnastics ignoring allegations of sexual abuse of gymnasts by coaches. The report is a stark reminder that fighting for justice is never an easy task.
January 28, 2016
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When CRC Spiritual Authorities Abuse: Revisiting an Old Problem
Fully confronting abuse by spiritual leaders in the CRC is a necessary first step to a safe church: if we cannot hold accountable even those entrusted with the souls of the church, called to be “blameless” how can we effectively address other forms of abuse?
September 28, 2015
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Forgiveness
The word “forgiveness” sent my mind in a thousand directions. Those who have survived abuse are all in different stages of healing. Will my prayer help survivors forgive or set them back?
September 19, 2015
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Someone Did Know
What stuck in my head were the words, “No one in the family knew...”. I immediately said aloud to the other people in the room who were watching this with me: “That’s a lie, someone did know.”
August 17, 2015
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Counting Voices
I understand our penchant to protect and cover favorable people. Even in our churches this happens with well-loved leaders and personable congregants. Does this outweigh protecting the flock?
August 8, 2015
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Response to Duggar Scandal
The publicness of the Duggars' lives has created space for a wider conversation about abuse. What will it take to move the church to speak more openly and courageously about abuse?
August 3, 2015
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A Culture of Rape?
How has this culture of rape, disrespect, and devaluing others entered into our lives and into our congregations?
July 21, 2015
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Two Words to My Former Self
Yet, there was a question burning in my heart, as my eyes searched Bella’s face hoping to glean more insight. It was a question I wanted to ask but never could: “How did you know to fight back?”
June 27, 2015
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Presence or Protection?
"The God I serve is a God of presence, not a God of protection."
May 11, 2015
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Can We Talk?
In April, Safe Church leaders from the U.S. and Canada came together for strategic planning. One priority rose to the top. “We need to be able to talk about abuse!”
April 10, 2015
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Ob Scenus
There are ways to illustrate the horror and the impact of rape in the storyline, without explicitly showing the rape. What are your thoughts on this?
March 2, 2015
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Joining a Movement
One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore this issue.
February 16, 2015
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Crying Rape
Which story would you rather read: A story about a woman alleging gang rape at a prestigious university? Or a story about how the reporter covering that story failed to maintain good journalistic standards?
January 28, 2015
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Is Someone Missing?
One in four females and one in six males will be sexually abused by the time they reach 18. Are they missing from our congregations?