MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

1 in 33 Women Church Attenders Get Sexual Advances from Church Leaders

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, September 14, 2009
Viewed 74
(9) comments so far

1 in 33 Women Church Attenders Get Sexual Advances from Church Leaders

According to the Washington Post:

One in every 33 women who attend worship services regularly has been the target of sexual advances by a religious leader, a survey released Wednesday says.

The study, by Baylor University researchers, found that the problem is so pervasive that it almost certainly involves a wide range of denominations, religious traditions and leaders.

"It certainly is prevalent, and clearly the problem is more than simply a few charismatic leaders preying on vulnerable followers," said Diana Garland, dean of Baylor's School of Social Work, who co-authored the study.

It found that more than two-thirds of the offenders were married to someone else at the time of the advance.

Comments

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Peter Hamm on Mon, September 14, 2009

This is horrendous! But I wonder where the data comes from, actually.

And this is why I’m VERY careful, even with simple hugs! I think they can be mis-interpreted sometimes…
Dan Smith on Mon, September 14, 2009

Unfortunately, I believe the study, although I do think that maybe sometimes things are misinterpreted. Doesn’t matter though. This is an area where we absolutely must be above reproach. It’s ok to struggle with sin, but we cannot sin willingly, and this one reeks of willingness.
Matt Parkins on Mon, September 14, 2009

I too have made many such advances upon one particular lady in my congregation - I confess it all now!

(of course I do happen to be married to her)
Ben on Mon, September 14, 2009

Amen, Peter ... careful with hugs, and I have also found to be careful with counsel and even encouragement to struggling souls of the opposite sex. The needier a person is emotionally, the easier it is for them to misinterpret and latch on.

I have learned to be much more sensitive to where my wife is at and what her needs are at church gatherings, and to graciously and tactfully hand off women seeking counsel to my wife as quickly as possible. I realize there are other viewpoints on this, but I am seeing more and more that what people in our congregation need more than anything is our humility, purity, and passion for the Lord.

Ben
josh R on Mon, September 14, 2009

I think much of the problem is that there is a trust placed in Pastors that creates a certain amount of intimacy that would be difficult to build in other contexts.

I think one solution would be to train up husbands to pastor their wives. When a woman trusts her pastor more than she trusts her husband, there is a problem brewing on two fronts. But I do think it is all too common. Men are too often spectators at best in the families spiritual life.

I think Pastors oughta be careful not to allow themselves to get too much detail in the opposite sex’s problems without additional people being involved.

I also think it is important to dismiss these folks. Too often minor offenses are condoned.
Peter Hamm on Mon, September 14, 2009

I don’t really counsel women. And I never even talk to them with a door shut. No way. And I never drive with them in the car (unless another grown up I trust is with us), or go to their house when their husband isn’t there… etc… basically the Billy Graham rules…

Boundaries… big time!
SSD on Mon, September 14, 2009

I am an Eastern European Pastor who, together with a colleague have tried and failed to get another colleague who has sexually abused three minor girls from a certain church in the area, punished for his gross misconduct. He denied the accusations vehemently, against irrefutable evidence and supported by most members of the County Baptist Association, launched vicious counterattacks against the two of us. The situation is known to top leaders in the Baptist Union of our country who decided it was counterproductive to take disciplinary measures against the respective pastor. I am telling you this to show that there are, still, lots of irresponsible leaders in top positions condoning sin in its grossest manifestations.
Jim Porter on Mon, September 21, 2009

As a pastor, quite frankly I think the number is questionably low. Probably due to some real train wrecks I’ve witnessed firsthand that tends to leave me suspicious and watchful. But not naiv� (anymore). Thank God for great women who stand beside us in our work. Don’t take the most important woman for granted.
Gary Haist on Mon, September 21, 2009

It is very difficult for many to not put spirit filled leaders on a pedastal. I think the days of not having boundaries that protect both parties are way past. Especially when operating in God’s abundant grace we must be wise as serpents to protect against the spiritual attacks of the evil one. The best protection I believe is a tight husband and wife ministry team and large doses of prophetic truth.