Before the Fall: Preventing Pastoral Sexual Abuse (From the Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute)

This important study answers the question: What can be clone while people are preparing for ministry to reeducate or redirect them in order to prevent abuse? In Before the Fall Nils Friberg and Mark Laaser lay out the major problems of pastoral sexual abuse as well as helpful guidelines to solve them, and they suggest ways to improve how we educate and supervise people in ministry.

Before the Fall fills a long-standing need by guiding church and theological seminary leaders?both denominational and ecumenical?in orienting candidates for ministry to the issue of sexuality and ministry. This important study answers the question: What can be done while people are preparing for ministry to reeducate or redirect them in order to prevent abuse? In Before the Fall Nils Friberg and Mark Laaser lay out the major problems of pastoral sexual abuse as well as helpful guidelines to solve them, and they suggest ways to improve how we educate and supervise people in ministry. Before the Fall's purpose is two-fold: First, it helps seminaries and ordination and personnel committees of various denominations screen and identify candidates for ministry who have a sexual dysfunction?such as sexual addiction, compulsivity, and sexual offending. Second, Before the Fall helps seminaries and church staff work toward preventing pastoral sexual misconduct and abuse by developing preventative programs in sexual ethics. As such, this book is also beneficial to candidates for ministry as they seek either to heal from sexual dysfunction or to avoid it, and for local Church members or staff who want to stay informed about the causes of pastoral sexual misconduct and its prevention. Friberg and Laaser assert that screening and prevention is theologically important and a matter of good spiritual formation. The prophet Jeremiah said, "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture says the Lord" (Jer 23:1). Thus, they believe that the health of church members, and thereby the health of the whole Church, depends on the way we do pastoral care. Similarly, the authors maintain that the process of preparing candidates should not simply be a matter of taking a psychological test upon entering a seminary, but must involve developing the spiritual core of the person, which includes identifying the nature of psychological and spiritual wounds that need healing. If these wounds are not healed and the pastor is allowed to enter ministry, he or she could likely be an "unhealed wounder," rather than a "wounded healer." Before the Fall is divided into two main sections: Part One, "The Problems," deals with the nature of pastoral sexual abuse, and its etiology and assessment, while Part Two, "The Possible Solutions," focuses on effective screening of candidates, using the information presented in Part One to establish characteristics that can be identified at various stages of pastoral education and training. Chapters in Part One are: "The Challenge," "Clergy and Sexual Misconduct?Characteristics," "Personal Etiology of Clergy Sexual Misconduct," "Environmental Factors," and "Victims and Vulnerability." Chapters in Part Two are: "The Healthy Sexuality Model," "Cognitive Education," "Spiritual Formation and Sexuality," "Field Education and Sexuality Issues," "Community," and "Conclusions," which summarizes learning outcomes that will empower educators and Church leaders to thoroughly evaluate whether a candidate for ministry is prepared to serve with holistic sexual integrity and effectiveness. "A Case Study" follows, which provides discussion questions and a list of agencies and other resources. Before the Fall asks, What is the hope for the Church? Friberg and Laaser answer that, if we can prevent pastoral sexual misconduct, it will mean healthy and more effective pastors and more healthy and vital Churches. And, if pastors can model healthy sexual self-care, this will positively impact all Church members who struggle with sexual trauma, marital affairs, or sexual compulsivity. ". . . a significant contribution to the literature on clergy sexual abuse. What makes this book particularly valuable is its focus on prevention." Currents in Theology and Mission"It is time to focus our energies on preventing problems before they occur. Friberg and Laaser have given us a blueprint on how to go about doing just that. Before the Fall is easy to read, eminently practical, and pastorally and clinically on the mark." Rev. Stephen J. Rossetti President, Saint Luke Institute". . . a helpful introduction to a most important issue in the church today." Randy A. Nelson, Director Contextual Education Luther Seminary