Men being abused is a problem. And it is another very underreported problem as well. My question to you is please provide where you got that 30% statistic.

As far as children…I don’t know what feminists you are listening to, but they do speak of the abuse of children.

Here is one that seems reliable — http://tinyurl.com/dje6j

And the abuse of children is horrendous. The feminists obviously are pushing this issue to the exclusion of other abuses of God’s children

Forgive me…sometimes you read what you “meant” to write and not what you actually “wrote”…Ryan is right…that is my typo….it took away the force of what I was trying to say…

Deb and Pastor Thicklin, Thank you for your responses that provide depth to our comments…I will post links to both of your resources in the next couple of days….

God Bless…

I’m guessing, based on the context, that it’s a typo. It should read: “This important component of Adventist theology is that the Bible teaches that there is a body and a spirit that we can’t separate.”

With God’s help . . .

DEB

“This important component of Adventist theology is that the Bible teaches that there is a body and a spirit that we can separate.”

Those are two contradictory statements if it is agreed that the Bible teaches indivisibility of body and spirit and the Adventist’s teach they are inseparable.

Please explain which of two are to be believed, as they both cannot. Either we are a unity, or we are separate: body and spirit. Which is it?

I have been on the front lines addressing the issue of domestic violence for over 15 years, I have spoken to nearly 28,000 middle and high school students; I have conducted seminars and trainings at colleges and universities as well as have spoken in conferences, seminars and symposiums for coalitions, faith, governmental and children organizations.

I have blogged and replied to similar stories concerning this most recent incident of domestic violence and have received an array of responses including a few that felt as if I was being crast because you see I am also a Pastor, a male pastor at that. I want to state upfront that I believe that we must get more pastors and more men to stand up and speakout against domestic violence. This issue is larger than Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks. My concern for many years is about Jane & Mary Q. Member that sits in church pews suffering in silence and no one hears their cry. My concern is about the perpetrators that are never held accountable and therefore can never began to be reformed.

I regret that anyone would feel as if my statements are crast. I assure you that it is not my intention. I hope that my statements would do some real good in the midst of this painful situation. I have received many calls from all over the country from those that are now seeking to find out more about this silent issue in the church. I have had one or two calls from women that were initially upset because I didn’t condemn Bishop Weeks neither did I overly state my support of Juanita Bynum; but after speaking to me they too realize that I was actually being there for the many that have suffered in silence. Let me reiterate what I said before; this issue of Domestic Violence is greater than Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks. My concern is for the thousands of women that are being abused and have been abused that is sitting in congregations all over this country and yet there cry goes unheard. I have been involved in this work for over 15 years and have interviewed many women that have suffered in silence in the church because (1) the pastor never addressed domestic violence (2) the Pastor re-victimized the victim by not believing them (3) the pastor simply was unequipped to deal with it (4) Pastor co-counseled her and the husband and she was ostracized by the church (5) the pastor gave a prescription for a romantic night as if lack of romance was the cause of the abuse (6) Pastor told her to be more submissive to her husband (7) Pastor stood with the perpetrator. There are many more reasons that I have encountered as well as the few Spirit Filled Pastors or Counselors that have worked in this field.

I have been part of many symposiums and conferences and I have seen the sponsors mail out 1500 letters to Pastors and Clergy to attend Domestic Violence Workshops and Symposiums and yet the sponsors only received response from 25 pastors or churches and only 7 of those attended the workshop. What I am simply saying is that the Church has pretended that this issue did not exist but the reality it exists across denominational and ethnic lines.

I am taking the time to thoroughly explain my comments because I want you to know my heart here in this matter. Nine years ago, I had a first cousin who murdered his wife on her 27th birthday in front of their 3 1/2 year old son by stabbing her in the back with a Fishing Knife as shed fled from him. They were both members of a Gospel Singing Group and they attended the same church. I was in deep pain after that incident for many reasons. I agonized because I wish that I had been closer to him or her so that they could have contacted me and I could have possibly walked them through some of their issues. I have a niece, whose mother was ran over and killed by her boyfriend when my niece was only 10 years of age; that niece graduated from high school in Alabama this year.

I am simply stating to you that there are hundreds of cases that I have dealt with including several First Ladies suffering in silence because they feel trapped and the church at large has failed to deal with the issue as a whole.

In closing , I want you to know that I did reach out to Prophetess Bynum after this event. I called her office on last Friday morning and spoke to one of her staff members. I conveyed my prayers, empathy and offered my ministry and expertise to them; I only hope that they will contact me or someone that is anointed to address this issue because she needs Godly support from people who isn’t interested in riding the wave of her name. She also needs someone that would be candid with her and speak the truth in love. Her response to this tragedy will impact many women; it is important that she doesn’t come across angry and vengeful but sober with her words seasoned with grace.

I want you to also know that I also called Bishop Weeks office and left a message on Tuesday, August 28th and I offered the same to him because they both need ministering too (separately). I plan to send them both a copy of my 2 part Cd entitled “Domestic Violence and the Silent Church” it can be a great start of dialogue , introspection and healing for them and for the Body of Christ.

I hope you have heard my heart on this matter; I welcome your response. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me on my urgent line at (561) 516-0069. Please feel free to visit my website at http://www.destinybychoice.org.

I travel and do symposiums, trainings and seminars across the country. I hope that I can be of assistance to those that have no voice or those that would like to partner in the efforts of addressing domestic violence.

In His Service!

Pastor J.R. Thicklin
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Pastor J.R. Thicklin
Man of Purpose