Domestic Abuse Help
Rick Snodgrass, Pastor CTK – Skagit
While writing a few blog posts about domestic abuse of women within the global church, I began to wonder about my own church, a network of congregations called Christ the King.
I approached our new pastor, Rick Snodgrass, concerning this issue. His eyes lit up. "My previous church had a wonderful program," he responded. "I'd love to describe it on you blog."
Loving On Victims of Domestic Abuse
guest post by Rick Snodgrass
I’ve always believed that if we just walked obediently with what we already know, all of the ministry needs of the church would be attended to. Years ago one of our presidents said that when he gets up to speak, what he’s really doing is telling people to do what they already know they’re supposed to do. Attending to domestic abuse is one of those situations.
For someone who’s going through domestic abuse,
the church may be the last bastion of hope.
I know that church means a lot of different things to a lot of people, and for someone who’s going through domestic abuse, the church may be the last bastion of hope. Rarely will someone come up and say I’m going through a domestic abuse situation, how can I be ministered to here in my church?
One of the ways that some friends at Christ the King Church in Nampa, Idaho responded to God's nudge was to make Christmas special, and to create a safe place to get away for an evening and do some fun secondhand shopping. Let me explain:
A certain amount of secrecy is a big part of this ministry.
The good people at CTK Church in Nampa were invited to take the first names and ages of children in abusive homes and buy them gifts. Those children were a part of domestic abuse situations and were staying in secluded locations with their moms. So the day that they got those presents was the day that everyone who bought them believed in the ministry, even though they couldn’t be there to watch. A certain amount of secrecy is a big part of this ministry. That means trust needs to be built with victims, and those who are loving on them need to trust the ministry to do what they say they’re going to do.
The fire department showed up with an engine and we had a really fun Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus there. We called out names and gave specific gifts to kids, while mother safely observed and felt the love of Jesus.
A Secret Fun Night
The other event that people in our church put on in secret was a family fun night where mothers of domestic violence and their children could go through several fun stations like a private community fair just for them. While the kids were playing at the fun fair, the mothers were going through a large area where gently used items had been donated so that they could do some free shopping with integrity.
There are many things that people in church can do.
There are many things that people in church can do; so as you read this in the blog today just know that these kinds of ministries take place when listening people respond to the Holy Spirit and get creative. Is he knocking at your door today? Is this something that God has laid on your heart but you just needed an idea? Let your local pastor know that you have a great idea and see how resourceful he can be in providing something that very few churches get a chance to respond to. Be blessed.
Rick Snodgrass
Linda's note: I hope you find encouragement from Rick's post to listen to God's call to serve as the "good people" in Nampa's CTK church did.
Blessings,
Linda M. Kurth is a writer and a divorced and remarried Christian. In going through the divorce, she experienced a dichotomy of responses from the Christian community. After sharing some of those experiences in her upcoming memoir, God, the Devil, and Divorce, she's heard many stories of divorced Christians who have struggled with the same issues. This blog invites divorced Christians to tell their stories with the goal of encouraging churches to resist condemnation and become a source of healing and grace.
Do you have a divorce experience to share? Have you been shamed by a church because of your divorce? Or encouraged? There are hurting people who would like to hear your story, who need to know they are not alone, and who need to be encouraged. If you are interested in sharing your story, email Linda for guidelines: Linda@LindaMKurth.com
