Bullying: Is it in our Churches Too?

Image Source: WomenOnTheFence.com

I'm proud to be guest posting today over at Q on the topic of bullying.  If you've never heard of Q or attended a Q Gathering (there's one in LA in April 2013), you'll find that Q is a space for church and culture leaders to come together and dialogue, innovate, and collaborate about the church's future role in culture.    

Here's a short preview: 

"Is the Bully Epidemic in our Churches?" 

Until 6 months ago, even with all the campaigning and advocating, I didn't take today's "epidemic" of bullying too seriously. 

I'm ashamed to admit it out loud.  But the truth is, when I read reports of bullying, I dismissed some of it (not all of it) to over-reactive, over-litigious parents and hyper-sensitive children. 

While there have been horrific occurrences of bullying that have led to tragedy, particularly anti-gay bashing, threats, and cyber cruelty, I missed the good ol' days when a kid could punch another kid  in retaliation, and when administrators and teachers weren't wrought with fear over holding mean kids responsible for their unruly, disruptive actions. 

Things changed, however, when one of my own children was forced to deal with unwanted, repeated bullying behavior.  At a Christian homeschool hybrid, no less.  That's when I started realizing bullying was serious, and bullying behavior was happening in our Christian churches (and schools), among both children and adults.

To read the rest of the article (and our story), head over to Q: "Is the Bully Epidemic in our Churches? 

Grace to you this weekend,