Pastor Lester L. Adams posted a good article on mediate.com, “The Minister, Mediation and the Protective Order,” advising pastors how to deal with a domestic violence case involving a couple in the church. His article includes both what to do (stop the meddling, cut off the gossip) as well as what not to do (don’t take sides, don’t give legal advice even if you’re qualified to give it). Especially helpful is the advice, as the title indicates, regarding response to a protective order, and how to ensure that both spouses continue to attend church services while honouring the order. Pastor Adams rightly emphasizes tending to the spiritual health of both parties, including the need for repentance and possibly discipline, all with the goal of restoring the relationship.

Pastor Adams is himself a mediator so it makes sense that he would attempt to mediate a marital dispute involving a couple in his church. (I have not had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Pastor Adams; I discovered this article on mediate.com.) In my experience, many pastors are neither called nor qualified to serve as the actual mediator, and will be more helpful serving as a spiritual advisor and counselor while someone else serves as the mediator. So I would footnote his assumption that the pastor will serve as mediator, to suggest that the pastor should carefully discern what role to play in the process, and not attempt mediation without some training.

But his overall message is important. Many pastors have no idea how to respond to domestic violence allegations within their flock; this article offers a thoughtful, biblical approach that could be helpful to many church leaders.