South Carolina Pastor Tony Blalock urges church leaders to never “underestimate the gravity of domestic violence.” Safety always must be the priority, he adds, noting that silence about the issue “is not helping our families.”
Kentucky Pastor Tony Rose, who has an advanced degree in conflict management, says being “willing to step into the messes of people’s lives and walk with them” is difficult and often painful for church leaders but necessary and worthwhile. “We do not need to hide” abuse or try to guard the church’s reputation, he adds. Instead, the church has “a character to guard.”
