An Open Letter to the Void on Behalf of Survivors in the Pews
[Content Warning: Sexual abuse]
O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8
I grew up going to a church that often praised Ravi Zacharias (RZ), an influential evangelist. So when he died last spring, it wasn’t surprising to see that praise continue. However, the same folks who praised him when he died are now mysteriously quiet when it comes to the most recent news surrounding RZ. You can read about the report that Ravi Zacharias International Ministries released regarding many years of sexual abuse by RZ, here.
Silence about sexual abuse is not new. The church was silent on the #MeToo movement, when the Access Hollywood tape was released, and different points along the way when there were opportunities to call it out, condemn it, and support survivors.
The church is happy to address “sexual sin” and culture, but when it comes to abuse? *Crickets*
There’s a lot of talk in church about what it looks like to be a good steward with what God has entrusted to us. Most of that talk is centered around money, when in reality, there’s so much more for us to steward. Some of us have power and influence, white privilege, housing, access to food, relationships, transportation, and I’m sure we could think of much more.
Particularly when you have access to power and influence, it is your job to use it for the good of those you serve. To speak up when there’s an injustice, to encourage, to be a truth teller. God expects us to be faithful with what he has entrusted to us.
“Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But, conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right?” — MLK Jr.
Survivors are strong, resilient, and deserving of every ounce of support we can give.
But silence is not acceptable — especially not from the pulpit which holds so much power. Shame on you. Shame on you for not listening when survivors speak of their heartbreak and sleepless nights and broken trust. Shame on you for singing the lyrics, “break my heart for what breaks yours,” and ignoring the stories of survivors.
To pastors: each time you preach, you’re sending a message — you’re always speaking to survivors; they’re always in your pews whether you know it or not. They’re listening and deciding if it’s safe for them.
When you choose to maintain power over creating safety — we see you.
When you choose silence over acknowledgement — we hear you.
Someone needs to say, “I see you, you’re not alone. What happened was not your fault. You are loved and you are held and there is space for you here. You are worthy of healing and every good thing.”
Pastors, courage is a choice. Be faithful with what you’ve been given. Speak up. Not because it’s easy, but because it is right.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Resources for making church a safer environment:
Church should be the safest place. Predators don’t look like you’d expect them to. The majority of the time they’re not the masked man in the dark alley at night; they’re the person a family trusts the most, whether that’s another family member or a close friend. Knowing this should change the way we craft our policies and invite volunteers into our churches. Simply relying on a criminal background check is not going to cut it if we want to keep our churches safe.
RAINN Statistics: Learn the scope of the issue.
Darkness to Light training: Anyone can take this training to learn how to prevent abuse.
GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment): Develop abuse prevention strategies and response protocols specifically tailored to the christian environment.
