When a Congregation Is Betrayed: Responding to Clergy Misconduct

Part 1. The First Response
Introduction
1. Best Practices after Betrayal Is Discovered
Nancy Myer Hopkins

Part 2. Models for Understanding What Happened
Introduction
2. Theological Reflection: Naming the Problem
Patricia L. Liberty
3. Justice-Making, Ethics: Defining Expectations
Deborah Pope-Lance
4. Power and Abuse: Establishing the Context
Patricia L. Liberty
5. Conflict Management: Selecting the Right Tools
E. Larraine Frampton
6. Systems: Identifying the Roots
Candace R. Benyei
7. Grief and Loss: Dealing with Feelings
Patricia L. Liberty
8. Trauma Intervention: Planning Strategies for Recovery
Deborah Pope-Lance

Part 3. Roles and Responsibilities
Introduction
9. Afterpastors: Restoring the Pastoral Trust
Deborah Pope-Lance
10. Congregations: Further Steps in Healing
Nancy Myer Hopkins
11. Victims/Survivors: The Healing Journey
Patricia L. Liberty
12. Lay Leaders: Taking Responsibility
Loren D. Mellus
13. Paid and Volunteer Staff: Tending Their Overlooked Needs
Nancy Myer Hopkins
14. Whistle-Blowers: Persevering Against Injustice
Candace R. Benyei
15. Clergy Colleagues: Responding from a Unique Perspective
Deborah Pope-Lance
16. Judicatory Leaders: A Resource for Healing
Glenndy Sculley
17. Response Teams: Laying a Foundation for Recovery
E. Larraine Frampton
18. The Wider Community: Toward Recovery for All
Nancy Myer Hopkins
19. Attorneys: Finding the Best Advice
Richard B. Couser

Part 4. What Do We Do Now?
Introduction
20. Integrating the Experience
Nancy Myer Hopkins
21. Reassessing the Recovery of the Faith Community
E. Larraine Frampton
22. Remembering the Victim
Nancy Myer Hopkins
23. Creating Safer Congregations
Nancy Biele
24. Responding to the Offender and Family
E. Larraine Frampton
25. Psychological and Spiritual Resources for Afterpastors
Candace R. Benyei

Part 5. Looking Toward the Future
Introduction
26. Managing Situations that Might Never Be Good
Matthew Linden
27. Preparing to Call a New Pastor
Dan Smith and Mary Sellon
28. What's Ahead for the Victim?
Patricia L. Liberty
29. What's Ahead for the Wider Church?
Patricia L. Liberty
Inviting the Presence of God
Candace R. Benyei

Appendixes

1. Resources
2. The Critical Incident Stress Management Method for Debriefing a Trauma

Beth Ann Gaede is a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and an editorial consultant to the Alban Institute. She also edited the Alban publications Congregations Talking about Homosexuality: Dialogue on a Difficult Issue, Size Transitions in Congregations, and Ending with Hope: A Resource for Closing Congregations.