Category Archives: Unjust church responses
There we sat down and wept — Psalm 137
Barbara Roberts ♦ 13th July 2020 ♦ 43 Comments
When they could snatch a bit of time at the riverbank, out of eye or earshot of their masters, the captive Israelites didn’t have to sing happy songs on demand. There they could sit and weep. By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, / when we remembered thee, O Sion. As for …
Pounding the facts; pounding the witness; pounding the table
Barbara Roberts ♦ 19th June 2020 ♦ 18 Comments
Here is a way to identify whether someone is a genuine shepherd or a hireling-cum-wolf. Ask yourself, “Is this person pounding the facts? Or are they just pounding the witness or pounding the table?” This post is a recapitulation and coda to Part 3 of my series about Sheep, Shepherds and Wolves. The questions in …
Apologies—the good and the bad. Wade Mullen’s wisdom from observing institutional apologies.
Barbara Roberts ♦ 21st July 2019 ♦ 35 Comments
Fake apologies employ self-justification. They appease just enough to quell resistance. They excuse the abusers and condemn the victims. Real apologies involve surrender, confession, recognition and empathy. What I’ve Observed When Institutions Try to Apologize and How They Can Do Better by Wade Mullen. Too often the words “We are sorry” are casually offered and …
Unhelpful Comments by Well-Meaning People: A coaching clinic for victims of domestic abuse and their supporters
Barbara Roberts ♦ 11th July 2019 ♦ 28 Comments
Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes (Job 13:12a) Domestic abuse victims frequently find themselves misunderstood by those from whom they seek support. Such interchanges can be extremely distressing for victims — they feel at a loss as to how to respond to the attitude of the supporter. Frequently supporters don’t mean to hurt; it happens …
“We Are Not Your Chum” – another brilliant post by Julie Cleaveland
Barbara Roberts ♦ 6th July 2019
God doesn’t use the hurting, the victim, the crushed, as bait. God doesn’t use the “trash fish” of society to reach a “trophy.” Jesus sees value and worth where others see none. God sees. God reaches. God searches. God stops. So you see, church leaders, we are not your chum. […continue reading Julie Cleaveland’s post …
Comforting My Church With the Comfort They Gave – by Julie Cleaveland
Guest ♦ 24th June 2019 ♦ 24 Comments
Julie Cleaveland was married to a very wicked man. When she sought help from her church, she got the usual bad treatments. She published this letter to her former church leaders to highlight the bias in their thinking. Dear Former Church Leaders, I was surprised to hear that your head pastor and you parted ways …
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