A Denomination Confronts Child Sexual Abuse: a Positive Step Forward

By Boz Tchividjian
Religion News Service
June 20, 2014

http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/06/20/denomination-confronts-child-sexual-abuse-positive-step-forward/

There are some days when I am thrilled to report positive developments within the Protestant world about the slow but steady shift taking place on issues relating to child sexual abuse. Just a few years ago, there was very little private or public discourse within most Protestant circles about abuse within the Church. Besides the ignored cries of survivors and a few advocates, public acknowledgment and dialogue on this subject was off limits. As a result, children continued to be at risk in our churches and survivors continued to be silenced through blame and false pity.

In the past year, I have encountered more and more folks who are beginning to realize that the Church has been largely silent — and this silence has had excruciatingly dark and grave consequences for countless individuals and for the very soul of the Church. Through some amazing (and many very painful) set of circumstances, I believe a growing number within the Protestant community are finally beginning to realize that there is an epidemic of child sexual abuse within the Church and that silence and inaction are unacceptable.

Three years ago, I was invited by a major Protestant denomination to lead a seminar that focused on issues facing the church related to child sexual abuse. Five people attended. Though I was a bit disappointed, I was encouraged to be able to connect with some abuse survivors who had been deeply hurt by their church. So when I was asked this year to lead a similar seminar, I was expecting a low turnout. To my amazement, the room was full. What an encouragement to witness the thawing hearts of professing Christians who acknowledge that we have much to learn about protecting children, serving survivors and demonstrating repentance to those we have hurt or ignored.

This acknowledgment was demonstrated this past week when the entire General Assembly (annual meeting of pastors) of the theologically conservative Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) unanimously and publicly adopted Overture 6 – perhaps the most robust statement on child protection adopted by any Christian denomination. Though I was honored to serve alongside some amazing folks in drafting this historic resolution, I was quite skeptical that such a strongly worded statement would be embraced by the broader constituency of this denomination. Once again, I was left amazed at what happens when God moves on behalf of little ones and the vulnerable.

This statement doesn’t pull any punches. Not only does it acknowledge that child sexual abuse is an epidemic in our culture, it concludes that the silence of the church renders it complicit before God. It urges all church leaders to use their influence to protect children, including preaching and teaching against child sexual abuse and exposing those who abuse. It is also significant that this resolution implores the church to compassionately support survivors.

Perhaps the most important and unique aspect of this adopted resolution is its call for action. It directs the various departments of the denomination to review their policies and practices related to the protection of children and the response to abuse disclosures. They are also directed to develop future plans on how to help educate the denomination on issues related to child sexual abuse. In order to prevent these denomination transforming tasks from disappearing into oblivion, this resolution requires a full report at next year’s meeting.

Don’t get me wrong, we still have a very long way to go in the Christian world when it comes to protecting the vulnerable and embracing the hurting. I was reminded of this when I read the results of a newly released survey that found 74% of faith leaders underestimate the level of sexual and domestic violence experienced within their congregations. I was also reminded of this when I read about the founder of a large Christian organization who has allegedly victimized dozens of young women and recently told a news reporter, “I just have a desire to work with and encourage the young people that I have served in the past and I want to continue that on a personal basis.” This same Christian organization hired a friend of the leader to conduct a “thorough review process” of the abuse allegations and concluded that God still desires to use this individual “for His work in the Kingdom of God.”

A very long way to go indeed.

Despite the fact that there is a difficult road ahead, I’m taking a few minutes to rejoice that this week a Protestant denomination took a positive step forward.