The Church's Role in Combating Domestic Violence
Resources Leslie's Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start Chris Moles' Website & Resources: https://www.chrismoles.org/ Theology of Suffering and Authority Discussion on imbalance of theology related to suffering and authority Magnification of male headship and sacrifice over safety and protection of the oppressed Lack of focus on misuse and cautions of authority Abuse of Authority and Accountability Constituted and delegated authority in the church Power comes with responsibility and accountability The church's duty to hold authority figures accountable for misuse Jesus' Teachings on Leadership Jesus' warnings against the misuse of authority Connection to domestic abuse involving various forms of power and control The church's slow response to addressing these abuses Restoration and Consequences of Sin Biblical references to power under versus power over The role of accountability and honesty in theological commitments Expectation of servant leadership and its importance Hope for Marriages Affected by Domestic Abuse Finding hope and change through the gospel The focus on individual safety and sanity over marital restoration Importance of setting boundaries and personal growth for both partners Domestic Abuse: Definitions and Dynamics Misuse of power and patterns of coercive behavior The importance of recognizing power dynamics in abuse Differentiating between isolated acts and ongoing patterns of control Can Women Be Abusive? Acknowledgment of women's potential for abusive behavior Differences in power dynamics and impact between men and women Examples of women abusing power in certain contexts Nonviolent Resistance and Personal Agency Encouraging nonviolent forms of resistance The significance of maintaining dignity and agency Practical advice on resisting control without escalating violence