Responding in Faith to Abuse
April 24 - 25, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 2021 | St. Mark De Pere
Responding in Faith to Abuse – Michelle Markgraf
Approximately one out of three women and one out of three men experience relationship abuse in their lifetime. This statistic does not include verbal or emotional abuse, which are harder to quantify. A popular myth is that abuse occurs less frequently in Christian homes; the reality is far different. Christians do not enjoy a special exemption from this sin, yet it is rarely addressed in faith circles.
This seminar is highly interactive, weaving in activities, videos and group discussions throughout the day. Research shows survivors who have support from their church have more feelings of well-being and are less likely to return to an abusive relationship.[i]
Saturday agenda (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.):
The first part of the day will discuss abuse in all its forms.
-You will examine the effects of abuse on a survivor and how trauma affects a survivor’s thoughts and actions, even long after the abuse if over.
-You’ll learn about some of the many reasons a person will stay in an abusive relationship.
The second half of the day discusses solutions.
-First, you’ll explore how you individually can help someone you think might be in an unhealthy relationship.
-From there, you’ll work with fellow church and community members to discuss how, as a church and community, you can address the abuse.
Sunday agenda (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.):
Sunday’s training is specific to group management and how to be a facilitator. It is intended for those who want to know more about the support group ministry to survivors, and it equips them to become group facilitators.
Galatians 6:10 tells us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Attend and find out how you can help someone who is suffering from abuse! Learn how to extend God’s grace to the survivor while assisting him/her on the journey to safety and healing.
Event signup – Click here
[i] Nason-Clark, N., Fisher-Townsend, B., Holtmann, C., & McMullin, S. (2018). Religion and intimate partner violence. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Michelle Markgraf spent several years in WELS classrooms. After volunteering at the local rape and domestic abuse crisis center in 2011, she ended up becoming the agency’s executive director in 2015. In 2018 she became an adjunct professor for the University of South Dakota, teaching a Family Violence class. Michelle currently works for Kingdom Workers.