Making the Church a Safe Place for Hurting Women - Part 1

Rev. Bernie Lawrence

In this conversation two seasoned pastors, Chuck Betters and Bernie Lawrence talk about how the local church is not only called to be a safe place for hurting women but how to make it so. Bernie is co-author with Ann Maree Goudzwaard of HelpHer – A Churchwide Response for Women in Crisis

Chuck and Bernie discuss how many churches are ill-prepared to come alongside of women in crisis but how the scriptures outline the way to meet these needs. Bernie speaks from the experience of helping oversee such a ministry in his local church. He shares how the leadership recognized the need to make the church a safe place for women and then enlisted women to help develop a strategy for meeting this dire need. In their book, Bernie and Ann Maree not only tell the story of how the Shepherdess ministry developed but also include numerous practical instructions for how to develop a similar ministry in your local church. This ministry will revolutionize a local church and no doubt as it grows women will spread the news that their church is ready and willing to not only help women in crisis but be there as a pro-active and preventative balm. 

Be sure to listen to Ann Maree’s conversation with Sharon Betters and Jane Anne Wilson, Making the Church a Safe Place for Hurting Women - Part 2, on August 4, 2021

For more information on this topic, here is a link to HelpHer Advocacy Training.

Biography of Rev. Bernie Lawrence

Until his retirement in April 2020, Bernie served as Senior Associate Pastor of Christ Covenant Church, a PCA Church near Charlotte, North Carolina.  Bernie served on the church’s pastoral staff for nearly thirty years focusing particularly in the realm of pastoral care and discipleship. Prior to entering ministry, Bernie was in business for 14 years as well as having served in the US Air Force. 

Bernie has been married to Pat for 41 years.  They have five adult children and five grandchildren.  In addition to his great love for the Church, Bernie enjoys reading, walking, snow skiing and boating on the beautiful lakes of North Carolina.  He and Pat love nothing more than time with their family and opportunities for hospitality in their home.