For years I thought I was an anomaly (a pastor and a male survivor of a 15-year domestic violence marriage). I had no idea how much abuse was hiding in the shadows of the church and the faith community.
It was always there but abuse thrives and hides in the darkness of silence. I learned first-hand that the most dangerous lies are the ones cloaked in holy language.
It was an average bible study with approximately 150 people in attendance. However, everything changed when a lady asked a question concerning God, abuse and marriage. All of a sudden the atmosphere shifted with great anticipation on what the answer would be. I responded not with the typical stay and pray theology, but with a leave and pray theology. God and abuse cannot co-exist. The shocking part was that to many my response was considered new and for some false doctrine. The next day I received 18 phone calls from women who were in the bible study who were being abused. Fourteen of these women were sitting there in the bible study next to their abuser. Those phone calls exploded the silence that hid in the darkness and opened my eyes.
For more information to contact Pastor Michael Neely, please send an email to [email protected] and we will forward your information to him.
