CHURCH AS A SAFE PLACE
A handbook confronting, resolving and minimizing abuse in the church
By Peter R. Holmes & Susan B. Williams. Authentic Media. 332 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978-1-86024-603-6
‘It’s not finding a safe place, but being safe people, like Jesus.’ Co-authors Holmes & Williams writing in dialogue show how this statement on the front cover of their book is being worked out amongst their own church community.
The world we live in is ravaged by abuse and, sadly, the church is not exempt. Our brokenness means we can’t be in community without abusing or hurting one another somewhere down the line. And none of us can say we are exempt, although we might not like to admit to it! Holmes & Williams write from personal experience as well as extensive research to show how the church has not only become a victim of behaviour patterns found outside its doors but tragically and all too often is manifesting its own brand of abuse from within.
