This two-part article focuses specifically on recognizing emotional abuse and its impact in the church. In Part One, we explored the selfish kingdom-building dynamic at the heart of all abuse and looked at the aspects of intention, behavior, and outcome in discerning emotional abuse. Continue Reading →
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The pictures that might first come to mind when we hear the words “domestic violence” or “abuse” are of physical fights or violence, but the reality is that discovering the presence of abuse in someone’s life is often far more subtle and insidious. At the core of abuse is seeking first the kingdom of the abuser. This happens through a series of relational patterns. The victim’s thoughts about self, relationships, situations, and even their thoughts about God may begin to revolve around the abuser as the guiding light, the source of truth, and the center of everything. Therefore, when we advocate for victims of abuse, we are not just seeking their freedom from oppression, but we are fighting for the glory of Christ’s Kingdom as we help those who were captive to seek first His Kingdom once again. Continue Reading →
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For the past eleven years, I’ve been able to help develop our church’s counseling ministry. As I look back on how I approached building this ministry, I realize that I spent a lot of time thinking through how to care well for those hurting in our church and not enough time thinking about how to care well for our counselors. Continue Reading →
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Thoughtful stewardship of our own lives must precede and guide our care for others. If we are to serve others, we must first understand the varied grace given to each of us uniquely by God to steward faithfully (1 Pet. 4:10). Often as counselors, we can be quick to use what God has entrusted to us to take care of others and yet easily neglect caring well for our own minds, hearts, and bodies. Even if others pour into you, that is not the same as learning the discipline of taking care of yourself for the glory of God. Continue Reading →
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A question that every married person should answer thoughtfully in this season is, “How do I love my spouse during the coronavirus?” In one sense, the answer is simple: I must love my spouse as God has first loved me. We want our marriage to be a picture of Christ’s love for the church. But what does it mean right now, in this season? Continue Reading →
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