Resources
When Sex Offenders Confess to Clergy: Three Mistaken Beliefs
How does a pastor respond when informed of allegations concerning child sexual abuse? All too often the responses by pastors are too little too late. Here is a simple rule that should be followed by pastors and everyone else: Immediately report allegations of child sexual abuse.
Sex Offenders, Recidivism, and the Church
In order to truly safeguard children, faith communities must recognize that activities involving children attract two kinds of people: those who love children and those who would prey on children. At any given point in time, we cannot be certain which of those two types is engaging with our children.
Abused on the Mission Field: Treasuring the Institution Instead of the Child
Some missionary cultures are in need of a conversion.
4 Lessons We Can Learn From a Church that Hired a Sex Offender
New Gospel Outreach Church knowingly hired a convicted sex offender as their senior pastor, but they are not alone. pastor! Many churches and faith communities are increasingly faced with decisions related to sex offenders and disclosures of sexual abuse.
A Positive Step Forward: A Denomination Confronts Child Sexual Abuse
The Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) has adopted Overture 6. Boz Tchividjian explains what this means for abuse prevention in PCA churches.
Eliminating the Edge: Five Common Characteristics of Child Sexual Offenders
If child molesters depend upon our ignorance in order to hurt little ones, what steps can the faith community take to eliminate the edge and make sure that they don’t succeed?
On-the-Job Training Is Not Working
The on-the-job training of pastors and other faith leaders in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse isn’t working—it is dangerous and all too often has devastating consequences. GRACE is addressing these shortcomings with exciting new services.
Searching for Jesus in Today’s Church
Nothing is safe when Aslan is on the move. But rest assured, that is good news. As stated best by Mr. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when describing Aslan: “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course He isn’t safe, but He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
7 Ways to Welcome Abuse Survivors in Our Churches
Churches should be some of the safest and most welcoming communities for those who have suffered from sexual abuse. Here are seven ways that can help transform our churches into some of the safest and most welcoming communities for survivors of abuse.
We Can Do It! Practical Steps to Protecting Children
The protection of the vulnerable is not solely the responsibility of leadership. Here are five practical steps anyone can take that will make a significant difference in the lives of little ones in our faith communities.
Four Common Exploitations: Sex Offenders in Faith Communities
Many offenders within faith communities use similar methods to perpetrate and silence abuse. These methods focus on the exploitation of common characteristics of faith communities.
Survivors and the Sufferings of Jesus
Boz Tchividjian reflects on the similarities survivors of abuse have with Jesus and His sufferings.
Flashes of Light: Reflecting Jesus into the Dark Places of the Church
As we take time to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, Christians must acknowledge that there are still many dark places inside the Church. Reflecting Jesus means shining a light on those dark places.
Marginalizing the Abused: Six Ways Survivors are Treated as Insignificant
Lessons from acclaimed film King of Devil’s Island on how communities marginalize the abused.
Michael Reagan: Bearer of Light Amidst the Darkness of Child Sexual Abuse
Boz Tchividjian profiles a personal friend, survivor, and advocate for the abused, Michael Reagan.
A Church Silent in the Face of Evil is No Church At All
A silent church will always protect perpetrators over God’s little ones. A silent church will always abandon the very ones God holds precious. In fact, a silent church is no church at all. God was certainly not silent in the face of evil, neither should we.
Christians and the Struggle to Report Child Abuse
We should all understand one important truth: child sexual abuse is both a sin and a serious crime—a crie that should always be reported.
Caught on Tape: 5 Self-Serving Responses by Sex Offenders in the Church
An unintended result of an ill-advised church video reveals five common self-serving responses by sex offenders in the Church.
