Domestic Violence

An excerpt taken from a research paper written on domestic violence and the role of the Chaplain—Janis Stone

A Wilderness of Isolation

Domestic violence takes many things away from its victim creating a wilderness of isolation. She may be taken from her family, home, friends, job, neighbors and most especially taken away from any sense of her own self. Faith, religion and spirituality might be the only resource that can be carried inside that no one can take away from her. Chaplaincy is also a resource that can help her find a faith to carry inside, or to help her find the faith she once had (Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence, 2004).

“Domestic violence victims, perpetrators and family members seek help from clergy and religious leaders more than any other profession combined”(Horton and Williamson, 1998). Law enforcement, healthcare providers, counselors and service providers are generally trained and educated to serve in domestic violence cases. Though clergy, pastors and chaplains are not called to be experts in the field of domestic violence, due to the insidious and dangerous nature of this crime/crisis, it is paramount that anyone serving this community of need become well educated on the subject matter and on the subject to avoid further damaging the victim psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.

“If we are going to provide manna in the wilderness, we first need to get to know the wilderness.” (PFJCI Chaplaincy Services).

Transforming Conflict!

"We do not have the power to transform a person, only the person of the Holy Spirit has such power. But as a Christian mediator, housing the Holy Spirit we have His power and ability to transform the conflict."

I have personally experienced mediations and interventions that “felt” like counseling sessions where the transformation that took place left every participant in the room without a dry eye.  It was a complete metamorphosis of the original conflict through a moment of deep revelation of TRUTH and powerful reconciliation resulted.

The Greek word for transformation is metamorphoo from which we get the English word metamorphosis. The English word mediator is the noun of the verb “to mediate” meaning “to bring peace or understanding to the conflcit.

 The Greek meaning of the word means a go-between, reconciler or intercessor. It could be stated then that a transformative style mediator is someone who serves as a go between enabling the participants to experience a transformation in their communication and their thinking in order to achieve reconciliation and resolution. PEACE in the midst of conflict!

Janis Stone

Got Peace?

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you”

(John 14:27)

"Peace with God is available to all of us, but we cannot have it on our own terms. We have to trust that God's way is better. God is good, and He has good things planned for His children. His Word assures us."

Joyce Meyers

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome"

(Jer. 29:11).

Transforming Divorce!

With divorce literally fueling the legal and counseling professions,

family conflict represents a large % of conflict today.

Conflict is to be expected in the latter days, as evidenced in

 II Timothy.

However, when a couple is headed down the road toward separation or divorce, the introduction of a transformative style mediator will serve as a catalyst for re-engaging the couple in productive communication whereby minimizing the conflict and creating an effective transition for the “real” victims of divorce, the children!

Janis Stone

Quote for TODAY

“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do but in light of what they suffer.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer