There are people who have been abused by churches and trying to find a good Christ Centered Church that uses the bible. How do people handle church abuse biblically?
Are you thinking of 'abuse' in general terms, as the various types of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional or verbal) may require different responses & handling?
In the worst cases of abuse, the matter has to become a civil one, as it requires the law to deal with the crime. It is insufficient to think & presume that such matters are to be kept 'in-house' & dealt only by the clergy. An independent legal body is required to ascertain the crime, who receives the blame, & the punishment meted out.
But if the person in a Church Fellowship is suffering some sort of victimization, estrangement, or even harsh words, I would think that the biblical response would be, to first raise the matter with the person(s) & if no head way is gained, bring it to the notice of the Pastor & Elders ( Matthew 18:15-17). If they are true to their faith & position in the Church, they will deal with it speedily or if necessary, alert the Church about this type of behaviour & to shun it altogether.
In any case, believers ought to seek out a Fellowship where God & the Lord Jesus are truly honoured & worshipped by the study of the Word & that good, correct Church behaviour & discipline are adhered to. For those who are new to an area of the city, some Church-hopping may be required until a suitable place is found, but when unchecked misbehaviour goes on in a Fellowship, one has every right to leave.
In the worst cases of abuse, the matter has to become a civil one, as it requires the law to deal with the crime. It is insufficient to think & presume that such matters are to be kept 'in-house' & dealt only by the clergy. An independent legal body is required to ascertain the crime, who receives the blame, & the punishment meted out.
But if the person in a Church Fellowship is suffering some sort of victimization, estrangement, or even harsh words, I would think that the biblical response would be, to first raise the matter with the person(s) & if no head way is gained, bring it to the notice of the Pastor & Elders ( Matthew 18:15-17). If they are true to their faith & position in the Church, they will deal with it speedily or if necessary, alert the Church about this type of behaviour & to shun it altogether.
In any case, believers ought to seek out a Fellowship where God & the Lord Jesus are truly honoured & worshipped by the study of the Word & that good, correct Church behaviour & discipline are adhered to. For those who are new to an area of the city, some Church-hopping may be required until a suitable place is found, but when unchecked misbehaviour goes on in a Fellowship, one has every right to leave.
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