Time,Money,Energy

At Moody Publishers, one of our goals is to serve church leaders like you. So we’ve asked our managing editor, Pam Pugh, to share her reflections on the book Is It My Fault?, which equips ministry leaders, families, and friends to care for victims of domestic violence. We see the abundance of pink during October and remember the worthy cause it represents, but ribbons of purple remind us to be aware of another reality: domestic violence. Yes, we know it exists. We’ve read the stats. And it’s an uncomfortable topic to address. My social worker friend has worked in this field for many years and heard innumerable times from abusers, “The Bible says I can do anything I want to my (woman).” Certainly God’s Word does not. But some abusers make the claim that it does, and some victims fall prey not only to abuse but also to this falsehood. What constitutes abuse? In Is It My Fault?, Justin and Lindsey Holcomb reveal the various guises of abuse (some that may surprise you) as well as tactics of abusers: belittling, controlling, being violent. Many of us wonder, “Why doesn’t the victim just leave or toss out the abuser?” Is It My Fault? offers some reasons, sadly among them religion: “Religious beliefs cause women to feel God does not permit them to leave . . . This is their cross to bear . . . Perpetual forgiveness of their husband is God’s expectation.” There are other reasons—e.g., finances, embarrassment, mixed feelings toward the abuser—but this woman has likely been (or is) in our churches. Does she feel free to reach out? How can we help? Is It My Fault? is loaded with rich content to choose from, offering practical help to the victim, her friends, her church family, and her pastor. One of the pleasures of working for a publishing house is the wide-ranging array of books I get to read. Is It My Fault? stands out as one that I’m especially proud we published. October is also Apple Month, Toilet Tank Repair Month, and Self-Promotion Month (try developing a sermon series around that last one!). Like “pink,” the “purple” issue is not limited to one month but is something to be aware of year round. Let’s echo the authors’ words in our churches: “Abuse is not the way things should be. You were made for more than this.” The month of October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The goal of this month is to raise public awareness about domestic violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to it. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Nearly three out of four of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. We’ve pulled together resources from Justin and Lindsey Holcomb’s work to equip you for ministry to domestic abuse victims.