How Women Can Stand Up for Themselves

I am angry that the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted to allow limitations in the investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in Southern Baptist Churches. I am not surprised, but, nevertheless angry. It is insulting to the many men and women within the SBC who have called on the Executive Committee to broaden the investigation and root out the abusers and those who cover for them.

Stop Tithing

What is the quickest way for women to change the culture and demand to be heard. Stop tithing to their church. Yes, I said it, stop tithing to a church and denomination that doesn't appreciate you, that doesn't give you a voice, and that doesn't listen to you. There are other churches you can send your tithes who need it and will use it to glorify God and ALL of God's children. Stop the flow of money to them and things will change.

Leave

Find another church home. There are many wonderful churches in every city in America. Find a church and denomination that listens to women's concerns.

Vote

Vote. If you are able to vote on any issue in the church - VOTE. If you are able to vote on church leadership from the local to the national level - VOTE. Nothing will change as long as the same leaders remain in control. Use your vote to use your voice.

Abuse is Everyone's Problem

Through the course of my 20+ years speaking about sexual assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, I have yet to speak to a church group where at least one woman doesn't tell me she's been abused. Many of these women had never told anyone before. They didn't feel they could share their story in church. Of all places that should be the safest, they felt the least safe.

Do you think it's not in your church? 1 in 5 women reported experiencing rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Next time you're in church, look around you and note the number of women, just on your row, and that 1 in 5 of those have likely experienced rape or attempted rape. I've experienced attempted rape, so I'm part of that statistic.

#MeToo

Women need to be heard. Victims - men and women - need to be heard. The church needs to listen. Shame on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee for refusing to listen. Your actions have told victims throughout your congregations they are not safe. You have silenced when you had the opportunity to give them a voice. You just affirmed the power of the abuser over the victim.

I stand with the Victims

I stand with Jesus, and thus I stand with victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. There are many women who were victims of assault by Southern Baptist pastors, professors, and others in leadership who have been public about their abuse. I stand with those victims and the many others who have not come forward.

Where do you stand?