Church leaders and sexual abuse
Rev. Nathan Decker addresses the serious problem of sexual abuse within the Protestant Reformed Churches, focusing specifically on the church leader's calling toward perpetrators. The article emphasizes the necessity for pastors and elders to understand the dynamics of sexual abuse in order to respond justly and wisely, drawing on both biblical principles and practical knowledge to guide church discipline and governance in these difficult situations.
Introduction Sexual abuse is present in the Protestant Reformed Churches. The recent proof is two public cases: a minister deposed and multi-term elder excommunicated for his impenitence with regard to this sin. The overwhelming evidence is the many victims and survivors in the PRC, who were sexually abused by PR family, teachers, or fellow church members. Why an article on the role of the local PR church? Because this evil is among us, and the church is called to deal with sexual abuse justly...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org