July 12, 2018 Toll free 1-800-803-5201 Vol. 183, No. 27 Informing. Inspiring. Connecting. www.thealabamabaptist.org
LATEST REPORTS INSIDE SBC statistics Provided by LifeWay Insights, LifeWay Christian Resources SBC 2017 2016 by the Associations 1,131 1,136 Churches 47,544 47,272 Peggy Wehmeyer Baptisms 254,122 280,773 shares about her numbers career, ministry journey as evan- Weekly Worship 5,320,488 5,200,773 gelical Christian Worship attendance rises, Average Attendance woman Total Membership 15,005,638 15,216,978 Page 3 baptisms decline in 2017 he Southern Baptist though Southern Baptists have Total Receipts $11,728,420,088 $11,461,572,538 Convention (SBC) ex- nearly 2,900 more churches than panded by more than we had a decade ago,” said LifeWay $1,185,509,033 $1,189,656,873 270 churches in 2017. President Thom S. Rainer. Total Missions More people showed “Yet a quarter million baptisms Expenditures Tup for weekly worship services, and is not an insigni cant number. We congregations gave more gener- praise God for every individual who Great Commission $593,980,600 646,017,306 ously in a strengthening economy. has come to Christ and followed Giving However, reported baptisms and Him in baptism. It is my prayer membership declined as fewer that God would embolden Southern Explaining what churches participated in the SBC’s Baptists to share the gospel with podcasts are, Annual Church Pro le (ACP). their friends and neighbors.” fewer churches in 2017 than in including Bible study and Sunday what they offer Longstanding patterns contin- 2016, though 32 additional church- School. and why you ued to dominate the ACP, which is ‘Gospel conversations’ type missions were reported. Receipts in 2017 reported by should care compiled by LifeWay Christian Re- “We know conversion is only by Baptisms in Alabama were down, Alabama Baptist churches to- sources in cooperation with Baptist the Holy Spirit, but we also know as were other additions. Churches taled $730,598,590, down from Page 7 state conventions. God begins most of these conver- reported 288,889 average weekly $743,166,224 in 2016. 4The number of churches co- sions with gospel conversations.” worship attendance and 204,855 In a separate report, the SBC re- operating with the SBC grew for Alabama Baptists reported eight average attendance in small groups, ported $37,889,967 in Cooperative the 19th consecutive year, reaching Program contributions from Ala- 47,544. That’s a 16.3 percent in- bama in 2017. crease in churches since 1997. LATEST REPORTS Rick Lance, executive director of 4Membership fell for the 11th the Alabama Baptist State Board of consecutive year to 15 million. ALABAMA BAPTIST Missions, said the overall numbers Since 2006, Southern Baptist con- “tell a story about Great Commis- gregations have lost about 1.3 mil- statistics sion ministries among our family of lion members. churches” and expressed his appre- 4Baptisms also declined, as Provided by LifeWay Insights, LifeWay Christian Resources ciation to Alabama Baptist churches Seminaries’ they have for eight of the past 10 that submitted ACP data. online doctoral years. Congregations reported bap- programs a ‘ben- tizing 254,122 people — 26.5 per- 2017 2016 Not the full story eficial’ option for cent fewer than in 2007. The latest In Alabama and across the SBC, Alabamians ratio was one baptism for every 59 Associations 75 75 the ACP numbers don’t tell the full church members. story of baptisms or other mea- Page 8 “It’s heartbreaking to be baptiz- Churches 3,246 3,254 surables among Southern Baptist ing fewer people for Christ, even churches. Baptisms 13,451 15,895 Despite the best efforts of as- sociations and state conventions Other Additions 16,844 18,105 across the country, 26 percent of To watch the videos from this week’s churches did not participate, said issue, visit our YouTube channel or use the Scott McConnell, executive director Total Membership 925,286 949,416 of LifeWay Research. HP Reveal app on your phone or tablet and Seventy-four percent of churches hover over the segments marked “AR.” Total Receipts $730,598,590 $743,166,224 participated in the 2017 ACP survey (See ‘Voluntary,’ page 11) PAGE 2 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / JULY 12, 2018 COMMENT Can a Woman Lead in the SBC? ays before the recent annual meeting of pastors and Myra Bates of North Carolina. Her the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) husband, Carl Bates, had been elected president D in Dallas, the SBC was abuzz with talk of the SBC in 1970 and 1971, but Myra Bates about electing a woman to serve as convention was in uential in her own right. In 1975 she president. Texas pastor Dwight McKissick, who nominated the person who was elected SBC is frequently involved in convention actions, rst vice president on the rst ballot in a three- announced he was willing to nominate popular THOUGHTS candidate race. Bible teacher Beth Moore for the of ce. This time Bates herself won on the rst ballot At least one news story asked whether a wom- By Bob Terry against her three opponents. an would be eligible to serve as SBC president. A woman also has served as rst vice presi- Evidently Article 18 of the Baptist Faith and dent of the SBC. Christine Gregory of Virginia Message (BF&M) 2000 caused some to ques- won the of ce in 1982. Gregory, like Mathis, tion the appropriateness of a woman in a leader- was a longtime state and national WMU leader. ship role. That article reads, in part, “A wife is elected of ce. The constitution says only that She was the top vote-getter in a eld of ve on to submit herself graciously to the servant lead- of cers of the convention “shall be members of the rst ballot and defeated a prominent Texas ership of her husband even as the church will- Baptist churches cooperating with this conven- pastor in the runoff. ingly submits to the headship of Christ. She ... tion” (Article 8). So women are eligible to serve as elected has the God-given responsibility to respect her That means any man or woman who is a SBC of cers. A woman has been nominated husband and to serve as his helper in managing member of a cooperating Baptist church is po- for SBC president, and women have served as the household and nurturing the next genera- tentially eligible to serve in elected of ce. both rst and second vice president of the SBC. tion.” A quick check of SBC Hopefully women will soon Even though Article 18 af rms the equal history also answers the “Yet, there is no denying serve again as SBC elected worth of women before God, such statements question. Some will be sur- of cers — perhaps as presi- about submission and serving as helper to the prised to learn that a woman dent. husband caused some to wonder if a woman has been nominated for that it is more difficult for Openess to women could serve as a leader in the SBC. SBC president. It happened women to serve in church Women in SBC history in 1972, the year Cooper Yet there is no denying was elected to his rst term that it is more dif cult for Some may also have been concerned with as president. leadership among Southern women to serve in church the BF&M statement that “While both men and Marie Mathis, a longtime leadership among Southern women are gifted for service in the church, the Texas and national Woman’s Baptists today than it was Baptists today than it was of ce of pastor is limited to men as quali ed by Missionary Union (WMU) 50 years ago. This is true for Scripture” (Article 6). Only ordained ministers, leader, was among seven ministry positions as well as primarily pastors, have served as SBC presi- 50 years ago. This is true nominees for the SBC’s top strategic decision-making dent in the memory of most persons attending elected of ce. Mathis failed bodies within local congre- the SBC annual meeting. Some may have con- for ministry positions as to make the runoff that year gations. cluded that being a pastor was a prerequisite for but she made history as the Newly elected SBC Presi- service. well as strategic decision- dent J.D. Greear explained The last time a layperson was elected SBC rst woman nominated for SBC president. at his rst news conference president was 1973 when Owen Cooper, a Mis- making bodies within that he understands the sissippi industrialist, was elected to his second Some will nd it equally surprising that Mathis had BF&M 2000 to bar women term. local congregations.” from serving in any church SBC Executive Committee vice president previously served as SBC second vice president. In capacity that carries the title Roger Oldham was quoted in a news story say- “pastor” or “elder.” That is different than the ing there is nothing in the SBC constitution or 1963 she defeated three prominent pastors to earn a rst ballot victory for second vice presi- debate at the time the wording was adopted. bylaws that prevents a woman from holding an Records show that those presenting the wording dent. originally argued the term “pastor” applied only In 1976, Southern Baptists elected another to the “senior pastor” and that women would be woman as second vice president. It was the eligible for all other positions. bicentennial of our nation and messengers gath- But the understanding of the term has evolved ered in Norfolk, Virginia. President Gerald Ford as Greear’s position indicates and at least one addressed the convention and like this year, Alabama Baptist church has been kicked out of messengers objected to politicizing the annual its association for having a woman serve as as- meeting. sociate pastor. Convention proceedings record that imme- Greear indicated he is willing for women to diately prior to the election of the second vice serve in the church as long as they carry titles president, the registration secretary announced like “minister” or “director.” 18,191 messengers had registered for the annual An adopted SBC resolution called for greater meeting. That is almost twice as many as gath- openness to women in leadership. It will be in- ered for the recent convention in Dallas. teresting to see how Southern Baptists react to Again, four nominees were offered — three that call. JULY 12, 2018 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / PAGE 3 Women “If ye continue in My word, then ... ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31–32 (ISSN 0738-7741; in leadership roles USPS 011-080) © The Alabama Baptist, Inc. is published weekly except for one week in July and December Wehmeyer shares about her career, ministry journey as evangelical Christian woman by The Alabama Baptist, Inc., at 3310 Independence Drive, By Peggy Wehmeyer up to a king and saved the Jews, I was told that Birmingham, AL 35209. Phone: The Dallas Morning News 205-870-4720. Statewide God used women to lead only when men failed phone: 1-800-803-5201. Fax: irst came sexual harassment scan- to step up to the plate. We were God’s backup 205-879-6026. Website: www. dals in powerful evangelical pulpits. plan for weak-willed men. And to quote Paige thealabamabaptist.org. Email: [email protected] or Then the movement’s best-known Patterson, our role in church and at home was subscribe@thealabamabaptist. female Bible teacher, Beth Moore, “to be submissive in every way.” org. Periodicals postage paid charged church leaders across the Almost all of the seminary students and pro at Hattiesburg, Miss. - Fcountry with widespread misogyny. And now fessors treated me with respect and kindness, so PRINT the president of Southwestern Baptist Theo- I didn’t resent the limits placed on my role as a SUBSCRIPTION RATES Church Budget — $13.75 logical Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, has woman. I trusted the intentions of church lead- Individual — $22.25 been red for religious chauvinism that pressed ers. They believed in complementarian theol- abused women to stay with their husbands ogy, which gave men primary leadership in the DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES and a rape victim to forgive and drop charges church and home. Church Budget — $8.50 against her perpetrator. That affected the shape of my life. By my Individual — $14.95 “The terrible swift sword of public humili- fourth year at DTS, I was doubting my own in- DR. BOBBY S. TERRY ation has come with a vengeance,” warned stincts about what career path to take. My only EDITOR one powerful church leader, Southern Baptist brush with leadership in the church came when Jennifer Davis Rash Theological Seminary President Al Mohler. He two outlying professors offered to train me, on Editor-elect added that the story’s not over. the condition that our meetings stayed under Lauren C. Grim I should have seen it coming. I’m one of wraps. After hours I slipped into their of ces to Designer millions of American women who converted learn how to interpret Scripture, outline a ser- to evangelical Christianity because of its life- mon and deliver it with air. Larry Moyers and Jessica Ingram Editorial Assistant changing promise of hope and healing. The Mike Cocoris were traveling evangelists. When problem is that some of the men in leadership Photo courtesy of Peggy Wehmeyer they took me on a preaching circuit to East Linda Harrison Peggy Wehmeyer Financial Administrator have used the Bible to mask a patriarchal mi- Texas, only they could teach in the sanctuaries. sogyny. That’s what’s driving today’s #MeToo My sermons were restricted to women who met Bill Gilmore church movement. A whole host of leaders, like me one day after a New Testament class. A few on the peripheries of the church. Advertising Director red seminary president Paige Patterson, have men approached me outside the room. At seminary I felt like a racehorse lunging at Debbie Campbell silenced and marginalized the voices of women “You don’t plan to preach to a mixed audi- the starting gate, waiting for the bell to sound, Director of Circulation and Public Relations for decades. And that leaves my faith family ence, do you?” they asked. with no track ahead of me. And then I stumbled morally compromised. My answer: “I just want to study the Bible,” I into wide open space: a job opening at a local NEWS SERVICES I had wanted to dedicate my life to full-time said. “I don’t know how I’ll use it yet.” Baptist Press (BP), Baptist News TV station, where career restrictions had ev- Global (BNG), Religion News ministry since becoming a Christian in college. I learned at seminary that many biblical texts erything to do with skill and nothing to do with Service (RNS), Forum 18 (F18), The Jesus I met at the University of Texas was could only be understood in the context of gender. Morning Star News (MS). a revolutionary who inspired His followers to ancient Hebrew culture and that made sense to POSTMASTER usher in the kingdom of God, ght for justice me. What confused me was that the harsh pas- ‘What is God’s will for your life?’ Send address changes to: The Alabama Baptist and give up your life to save it — whether or sages prohibiting women from leadership — in Before I could take the job and clear my 3310 Independence Drive not you were a woman. church and at home — were the ones taken seminary desk, a prominent professor called me Birmingham, AL 35209 literally. to his of ce. I remember standing with him out- No one understood ADDRESS CHANGE The limitations of my future in a church led side the pastoral ministries department when he Send old and new addresses, I thought I could learn how to do that at Dal- by men should have become apparent early on. asked me the ultimate question for a follower of and name of church to: Subscription Department las Theological Seminary (DTS). The people My female hero of the faith, Elisabeth Elliot, Jesus: “What is God’s will for your life?” 3310 Independence Drive closest to me didn’t understand. The dean of wife of martyred missionary Jim Elliot, had By now I knew the answer he wanted. “To Birmingham, AL 35209 my journalism school shook his head in be- been invited to campus. When she rose to the get married and have children,” I said. “But Allow two weeks. wilderment, my sorority sisters whispered, chapel pulpit to speak to the students, almost God hasn’t led me to marry yet. Until he does, To the best of our knowledge, “She’s joining a convent,” and my parents, who I’m going to go out and make a difference in all of the ads in The Alabama all male, a group of them walked out in protest. Baptist represent legitimate unsuccessfully hired a psychiatrist to have me Preaching to men presumably gave her author- the world.” companies and offerings. “deprogrammed,” cut me off nancially. ity over them and that was forbidden. What he said next felt like a curse and it However, one should always exercise normal business I reached Dallas in my tattered Toyota station Did I challenge the system? Hardly. As a would haunt me for years. “Peggy, if you leave caution in responding to ads. wagon, broke, alone but unafraid. Each morn- young Christian I accepted the teachings of Christian work for a career in the secular me- ing when I woke up in this new place, I knelt seasoned theologians. I agreed that the Bible dia, two things will happen: You’ll lose your in the dark, closed my eyes and cranked up was inspired by God and that its truths tran- faith, and it’s unlikely any Christian man will Full member of Handel’s Messiah, singing along, “Prepare ye scend culture. What I struggled to understand want to marry you.” Alabama Press Association the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert was which Bible passages were to be taken I was speechless. To lose my faith was to a highway for our God.” literally. After all, no one was suggesting we lose my life compass. To miss marriage and Accredited member of At 21 all I knew about DTS was that it should have slaves and make them obey their children would be to miss God’s highest calling Evangelical Council for produced great Bible teachers and had a job masters, a command listed in the same place for a woman. Financial Accountability opening for a writer. I grabbed it. Too broke where women are told to submit to their hus- I took the risk and I left seminary to be a to enroll, I slipped into any class I could audit, bands. What if the seminary leaders had it copywriter for WFAA-TV in Dallas. Within a ‘Nation’s Top Regional attended chapel whenever I could and begged wrong? What if Jesus and his apostles actually year I was named the rst television religion Christian Newspaper’ for audiences with theologians whose teaching elevated women who were treated deplorably in reporter in the nation. I covered the FBI siege 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, I devoured. their day? of the Branch Davidian cult compound in Waco 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 When at last I earned enough money to enroll and the rst terrorist attack on the World Trade as judged by Associated Church Press, as a student, I discovered something troubling: Women of the Bible Center. We tracked the rise of the Mormon Baptist Communicators Association, Evangelical Press Association or The master of theology program, the one that When I asked about the heroic women of the church in Texas and reported on all the major Religion Communicators Council prepared students for leadership in the church, Bible, like the prophet Deborah, who led her Southern Baptist Conventions, including the was off-limits to women. That came home to people into battle, or Queen Esther, who stood (See ‘Discerning,’ page 4) PAGE 4 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / JULY 12, 2018 Discerning God’s will ‘Jesus was a revolutionary ... He dignified women in a culture that (didn’t)’ (continued from page 3) make a major life change?” Graham and countless high-pro le male shut down my daughter’s dream, but she ones where the embattled Patterson led the “Yes. And maybe,” I answered. ministers had preached and looked out at wouldn’t have it. conservative takeover of the denomination. Months later, Jennings and ABC re- a sea of young female faces. I purposely “You got to be a pioneer in television, I interviewed Patterson countless times in ceived a rush of publicity for hiring me as singled out the Wheaton women: Mom. Why can’t I be one in the church?” the ‘80s and ‘90s. the rst religion correspondent in the his- Young women: Hear me now. she argued. “You’re the only one discour- Like many women my age I managed tory of network news. Trust your own deepest convictions and aging me from taking this path. My own all of it while married and raising two Soon Christian leaders wanted me on let no one else overwhelm the quiet pull of mother!” children, but it wasn’t my church that sup- the covers of their magazines and speak- God on your life. You’re the one who will ported me in the herculean task of juggling ing in their college chapels. But I was come home every day to your choices. Generational changes family and work. careful about when and And do not limit what God wants to do I’ve heard it said that dreams and visions For support later in my where I spoke personally with your life. Why would you narrow His blocked in one generation can surface career I pulled together my “Trust your own about my own faith. For plan to include only marriage and family? in the next. I had spoken harsh words to own small community of me, the highest calling of These are high callings, but for both men spare my daughter from the pain I knew by women from both coasts. deepest convictions a journalist was to separate and women. heart. What I failed to account for were the We met each week for a my personal bias from the The student body responded with a changes she already was a part of. decade by speakerphone, and let no one else stories I covered. It was standing ovation, but the president prompt- In recent years a few evangelical semi- talking and praying about because of my faith, not in ly accused me of fueling a feminist re. naries have reconsidered their interpreta- everything from how to overwhelm the spite of it, that I could dis- The discussion it roused on campus led tion of Scripture on women. Now some integrate our faith at work, tance my personal beliefs one Wheaton student to call me several of them allow for women’s ordination. to raising our children, to from my reporting. years later. A groundswell of leading evangelical discerning the will of God. quiet pull of God on But Christian col- Like me, this young woman had com- churches, where women now serve as pas- Rarely did I seek out leges were having a serious mitted her life to following Jesus. It had tors and elders, re ect that shift. The the- my pastor for counsel, your life. You’re the problem. More than half led her to the South Side ology on women’s roles but once, during a rough their student bodies were of Chicago, to four years at places like DTS hasn’t patch in my marriage, I one who will come made up of women and in some of the nation’s “Do not limit what changed, but more than did. He urged me to follow this generation of evangeli- most dangerous neigh- four times the number the Bible verse that tells home every day to cal women wanted futures borhoods with Teach for God wants to do of women are enrolled women to be “like Sarah, that included robust profes- America. Now she was there than when I was a who obeyed her husband, sional careers. Who would frustrated because her with your life. Why student. Abraham, and called him your choices.” mentor and lead them? time in the classroom Last year I was wor- her lord.” Wheaton College, the had taught her that edu- would you narrow His shipping at the church So why did I remain an evangelical? “Harvard of Christian colleges,” pressed cation held only part of I now attend in Dallas, This community had introduced me to Je- me to be that person. The school chaplain the answer for children where former President sus and helped me build a relationship with called to tell me the president of the col- and families whose lives plan to include only George W. Bush and his a personal, loving God whom I could trust. lege was proud of my work and struggling were riddled with poverty, wife, Laura, are members. I held onto my faith and my evangelical to nd female role models for their stu- violence and drugs. She marriage and family? As worshippers walked to family even as my secular career ramped dents. Wouldn’t I please reconsider their wanted to tackle spiritual the altar to receive com- up. When the call came from New York, request to speak in chapel? poverty too. These are high munion, I watched the my 5-year-old daughter, Hannah, was “Who’s your president?” I asked. “The church is the best Bushes kneel at the rail. click-clacking her Big-Wheel across our place to address both the callings, but for both A young minister in robes kitchen’s hardwood oors. The voice on Speaking to young women economic and spiritual approached the table with the other end sounded uncannily like that It was the same theologian, who 20 vacuum in people’s lives,” a chalice of wine and of my broadcasting hero. years earlier, as a professor at DTS, had she told me. “I want to men and women.” bread in her hand. “Hello, Ms. Wehmeyer? This is Peter told me to throttle back and nd a husband. study theology and be- The same world leader Jennings at ABC News and I have two I agreed to speak in the Wheaton chapel, come a minister so I’m better equipped to I’d once peppered with tough questions questions for you,” he said. “Is it true that only after I was no longer reporting on re- help people who struggle.” about faith was now being led in his faith you cover religion? And are you willing to ligion. I stepped into the pulpit where Billy If this had been just any young evangeli- by my daughter, Hannah. cal woman, I might have counseled her, This fall, the story comes full circle. “Go for it, but it’s going to be tough.” Hannah will begin seminary, one that pre- pares women for every facet of ministry. Women discerning their call Painful memories She’ll learn, as I did, that Jesus was a rev- ormer Alabama Baptist and new au- she said. “Years later I understand that But the words came from my own olutionary, not just in the ways He taught F thor Kristen Padilla remembers cry- call more fully.” daughter, Hannah, the one who was in us to love but in the ways He liberated and ing to her pastor father wishing she had Hunt grew up as a Southern Baptist kindergarten the day Peter Jennings called. digni ed women in a culture that treated been born a boy. At least then she could missionary kid in Taiwan, the daughter The one whose crib I had knelt at in the them like second-class citizens. While be a preacher, she said as a young girl of Alabama Baptist ministry and mis- dark, asking God to give her strength for Hannah works and studies, I’ll help care whatever challenges she would face as a for her 1-year-old daughter, Eliza, a name working through her call to ministry. sions leaders Bob and Rosalie Hunt. woman. that translated from the Hebrew means Ordained Baptist minister Alice Hunt Rosalie Hunt added the struggles for “Hannah!” I said, “What are you think- “God is faithful.” understands. “I remember hearing in women in ministry are “nothing new.” ing? Women can’t be leaders in the church. a new way God’s call on my life at 16 Women in early church life also faced You’ll be beating your head against the EDITOR’S NOTE — Peggy Wehmeyer is but not knowing how to articulate that. I dif culty in their roles, she said. wall.” a writer in Dallas and a former news cor- remember thinking that if I were male, Read more about Padilla and the Painful memories — many stories respondent for WFAA and ABC News. She then I would know what this call was,” Hunts at www.thealabamabaptist.org. I had never told Hannah — rushed to wrote this column for The Dallas Morning the surface. I tried every way I could to News. Used with permission. JULY 12, 2018 / THE ALABAMA BAPTIST / PAGE 5
Helpful resources Sensitive 4National Domestic Violence Hotline’s 24-hour telephone number: 1-800-799-7233 4Alabama’s Domestic Violence issue Hotline number: 1-800-650-6522 4In Alabama: To report child abuse: dhr.alabama.gov/services/ How pastors, church leaders can address domestic abuse Child_Protective_Services/Abuse_ By Denise George Sexual abuse is the administration of any it available to leaders and members. Neglect_Reporting.aspx Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist unwanted or forced sexual acts. 4In visible places, display brochures, 4For state resources in Alabama omestic violence is the No. And spousal rape is forced, nonconsen- newsletters and information about domestic (advocates, shelters, lawyers, court- 1 public health issue facing sual intercourse within a marriage. violence (especially the National Domestic house locations, sheriff departments, women and children in the In addition to the pain and trauma in the Violence Hotline number — 1-800-799- etc.) see www.womenslaw.org/ nd- United States today. marriage relationship, spousal abuse has 7233). help/al Spousal abuse is a big part other effects. Women who survive domes- 4Never counsel an abusing husband and 4For more information on rec- Dof that problem. A serious form of exploita- tic violence are 60 percent more likely to wife together. (She will be afraid to speak ognizing warning signs of abuse, tion, it victimizes, damages, belittles, maims develop chronic diseases than women with and he may increase the violence.) see www.alabamalegalhelp.org/ and sometimes ends the life of a wife or no abuse history. A boy who sees his father When you suspect spousal abuse: resource/recognizing-the-warning- husband. No one should suffer any type of abuse his mother is twice as likely to grow 4If warning signs (see sidebar, this signs-of-domestic-violence-and- violence or abuse in the home, whether it is up and abuse his own wife. page) indicate the possibility of abuse, pri- abuse?ref=d0Th7 physical, emotional, psychological, verbal Between 30 percent and 60 percent of vately ask, “Is everything OK at home?” Or For information about domestic 4 or sexual. spouse abusers also abuse children in the “Is someone hurting you?” If she indicates violence laws, see domestic-violence. In June, Southern Baptist Convention home. When discovered, child abuse must that things aren’t OK, ask: “Is your husband laws.com/spousal-abuse messengers addressed the issue and ap- be reported to the hurting you?” If she af rms it, take action. 4For information about Ala- proved a resolution on spousal abuse, stating authorities. 4Listen to her bama’s domestic violence laws, see that it dishonors the marriage covenant and When abuse is without judgment or www.dhr.alabama.gov/services/ blasphemes the relationship between Christ suspected, church criticism. Adult_Protective_Services/Adult_ and the Church. leaders must take 4If she agrees, call Abuse_Facts.aspx But even so, spousal abuse is a sensitive immediate ac- the national hotline. If For information about creating 4 issue — so sensitive that church leaders it’s an emergency, call a plan for safety (Alabama Coali- tion, ensuring the might avoid confronting it. Spouse abusers 911. Police are trained tion Against Domestic Violence), see safety of each and their victims often hide in plain sight, to handle domestic vio- www.acadv.org. family member sitting beside us in worship services, serv- lence incidents. 4For information about how to in the home. If ing on church committees or teaching Bible 4If she is injured, help an abused friend or family mem- not addressed and studies. stopped by profes- make sure she receives ber, see acadv.org/get-help/safety- medical care. tips/#friend sional intervention, Using church as a cover abuse will always 4Help her and her 4For a listing of Alabama do- Some abusers might use church as a children move into a mestic violence treatment centers, escalate. cover, becoming a smiling deacon/Dr. Jekyll local domestic violence see www.psychologytoday.com/us/ How can pastors at church and a hurtful husband/Mr. Hyde center. Christian wom- treatment-rehab/domestic-violence/ and church leaders at home. Domestic violence happens within en usually stay much alabama respond to domes- Christian homes at the same rate as in non- longer in abusive rela- 4To nd the 34 organizations tic abuse? Christian homes. tionships, usually leav- in Alabama that provide domestic 4Address As much as we wish to believe that every ing only when “he hurts violence services, see www.domes- spousal abuse in Christian household in our church is “home the children.” She must ticshelters.org/al/alabama-domestic- sermons and Bible sweet home,” the statistics reveal that not not stay in the home violence-help-statistics studies. (One study every marriage is based on Colossians 3:18– found that 65 per- Unsplash.com with the abuser. Make 19 and not every husband and wife practice cent of pastors had sure she is taken to a a 1 Corinthians 13 type of love. spoken one or fewer times about domestic safe place that is unknown to her abusive How to recognize Seventy- ve percent of the nation’s tele- violence; 22 percent had addressed it annu- husband. Never put other lives in danger by phone calls to 911 are related to domestic ally; 33 percent had mentioned it rarely; and taking her to a family member’s home or to spousal abuse violence. It is the leading cause of injury to 10 percent had never preached or taught it.) your own home. women — more than car accidents, mug- 4Host a speaker from your community’s 4Make sure she takes important papers 4Have visible cuts, bruises, gings and rapes combined. domestic violence center, hold a seminar with her when she leaves, including birth black eyes, etc. Each year in the U.S., 5.3 million inci- and educate your staff and congregation certi cates, passports, health insurance 4Wear heavier than usual make- dents of interpersonal physical violence about spousal abuse and ways to respond. documents, cash, etc. up (to hide abuse marks on her face) occur, and 2 million women are injured 4Help support your community’s do- 4Provide her with funds, if needed. 4Wear heavy clothing out of through some sort of physical abuse. Every mestic violence centers. 4Support her if she decides to have her season (to hide physical abuse nine seconds in the U.S., a woman is physi- husband restrained or arrested. Domestic marks) cally assaulted or beaten. Christian counselors violence is a punishable crime. 4Won’t stay around to talk after And every day in the U.S., three women 4Keep a list of Christian domestic 4Keep everything she tells you in strict church; must hurry home are murdered by a husband or boyfriend. violence counselors to refer to abusers and con dence, sharing with professionals and 4Seem withdrawn, on edge or About 1,300 women die each year as a re- victims. Counseling for the abuser could others only with her permission. jittery or experience frequent mood sult of domestic violence. lead to repentance and healing and possibly 4Put her in contact with a trained do- swings But abuse doesn’t stop with just physical preserve the marriage. mestic violence counselor. Her children 4Miss church sporadically with violence. Emotional, verbal and psycho- 4Include a study on family violence might also need special counseling. unexplained absences logical abuse include threats, name-calling, (and its prevention) in the adult Bible study 4Support her with your prayers. 4Will never volunteer to work or stalking, withholding needed money, intimi- curriculum. Domestic violence is a delicate and em- teach in the church dation, degradation, belittlement and verbal 4Teach your youth about healthy dating barrassing subject, not easily identi ed or 4Miss appointments consistently or emotional attacks that aim to control or to relationships and biblical marriage. addressed. Learn the warning signs, and if 4Won’t invite anyone into their instill fear. 4Put together a list of resources, hot line you suspect abuse in a church member’s home. (Denise George) Aggravated threats are those that threaten numbers, domestic violence centers, etc. home, take action immediately. You might rape, maim or murder. 4Update information frequently, making just save a marriage an