Domestic Violence : What Every Pastor Needs to Know

by Miles, Al; Kroeger, Catherine Clark

• ISBN13: 9780800697556
• ISBN10: 0800697553
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Pub

Summary

Miles addresses the issues related to inadequate pastoral response to this pervasive problem. He explores the dynamics of abusive relationships and the role which clergy members can take to heal this painful situation. The revised edition, designed to reach pastors and individuals "preparing to serve," builds upon the insights, policies, and programs in the original volume, including new information on the pathology of domestic violence and the effect the economic downturn is having on victims-survivors and batterers. Miles also focuses on helping clergy and other pastoral ministers develop a more compassionate response to victims-survivors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender.

Author Biography

Al Miles has worked for Pacific Health Ministry at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu as the Coordinator of the Hospital Ministry Department since 1993. He speaks frequently to nationwide audiences on domestic violence and teen dating abuse awareness. Pastor Miles is the author of Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships (2005) and Violence in Families (2002).

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xv
Preface	p. xix
Facing Reality	p. 1
"It Doesn't Happen Here!"
When Appropriate Training Has Not Occurred
The Importance of Collaboration
Why Do Victims-Survivors Remain with Their Offenders?
Why Are Most Abusers Male?
Rationalization for Violent Behavior
Intimate Partner Violence in GLBT Communities
Effects of Economic Downturn on Domestic Violence
Separating Fact from Myth
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
Preparing to Serve	p. 23
A Survivor and Her Pastor Reflect
Why Domestic Violence Awareness Training Is Essential
Domestic Violence Awareness Training: Sample of an Eight-Hour Session
Why Partnerships Are Essential
Final Preparation
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
Once an Abuser, Always an Abuser? A Further Exploration	p. 49
Edgar's Story, Spring 1998
Edgar's Reflections, Spring 2010
Tactics Used by Batterers
Can Abusive Men Change?
Providing Pastoral Care to Batterers
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
When the Abuser Is a Male Spiritual Leader	p. 77
Alison's Story
Joyce's Story
Hope's Story
What Can Be Learned from These Stories?
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
Thorny Still: The Question of Forgiveness	p. 103
Complexities of Forgiveness
What Is Forgiveness-and What Is It Not?
Forgiveness: Perspectives from Two Survivors
Forgiveness: After the Abuse
How Spiritual Leaders Can Help Survivors Struggling with Forgiveness
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
Goals and Best Approaches	p. 131
Responding to Victims-Survivors
Responding to Batterers
Responding When the Abuser Is a Male Spiritual Leader
Biblical and Theological Perspectives
Conclusion
Questions for Discussion
Acknowledgments	p. 159
Checklists	p. 161
Selected Resources	p. 163
Coalitions	p. 167
Notes	p. 181
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