Abuse and divorce rates for non-Christians and Christians are the same. Why are faith leaders unequipped to help our confused, wounded, and victimized? How will faith leaders know if the believer asking for help with their marriage is a victim? How can they help the victim without causing harm or spiritual abuse? What about the abuser?
Historically, faith leaders have focused on saving the marriage and helping the abuser at the cost of the victims. They have also avoided acknowledging or addressing abuse and divorce. Marital abuse will remain in the church until we acknowledge it, equip leaders with the facts about abuse, and implement God's truth and Christ's love design in practical ways. Faith leaders can only help believers and change these facts if they understand:
· How believers get confused about love and marriage
· Four Marriage types
· Types, signs, mindsets, and complexities of abuse
· Guidelines to use when talking with a victim
· Red flags to identify and avoid being deceived by an abuser
· The role and responsibility of churches
This essential training contains a clear path for faith leaders to equip themselves with the knowledge and understanding of abuse and how to identify, support, and guide a victim. Faith leaders, let's get equipped to live God's truth that abuse is never God's will in any relationship and follow Christ's instructions, "To proclaim Good News to the poor, that captives will be released, the blind will see, and the oppressed will be set free." (Luke 4:18)
