#SilenceIsNotSpiritual: A Call to Action

Faith leaders sign statement that calls Christians to action to end violence against women.

By Nancy Flory Published on December 20, 2017

Calling this “a window of opportunity to bring healing to the world and to the church,” a group of female faith leaders has issued a “call to action” to end violence against women. The campaign is called #SilenceIsNotSpiritual.

#SilenceIsNotSpiritual

A response to the recent #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements, the #SilenceIsNotSpiritual campaign calls for examining “our own beliefs and actions concerning the state of women.” Beth Moore, Jen Hatmaker, Lisa Harper are among the many female faith leaders who have joined the effort.

The #SilenceIsNotSpiritual statement declares that “physical, sexual and psychological harm … is on the rise,” and that 1 out of every 3 women have experienced physical and or sexual violence. This must stop, they say, because “violence against her is violence against God … [and] us.”

The statement continues:

We face an urgent and defining moment in history. As Christian women leaders, we recognize those in the churches who stand with and support survivors of violence. We are thankful for their example of holy and just relationships. Following their and others’ faithful witness, we choose to rise and speak up. We will not retreat from the pain in our midst. Women of all faiths, races, cultures and backgrounds are bravely breaking their silence, yet many in communities of faith do not match their bravery with action. Instead, feeling the problem is too pervasive, they have acquiesced, leaving whole churches and communities paralyzed.

But doing nothing is not acceptable. Silence is not spiritual. And action is not optional.

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A Call to Action

The statement calls for “two streams of action” by those in the Christian faith, particularly Evangelical churches:

To stand with women who experience violence; and
To stand up for women who experience violence.

The faith leaders encourage churches to “create protected spaces” where women can share their stories and be received in love. They also call for advocacy and a “desire to spark action” to fight “both systematic and individual injustices in our midst.”

The women faith leaders ask for people to sign the statement “in this historic moment”:

Called by faith, compelled by love, and committed to the promise that women will live free from the terror of violence, we, the undersigned, invite you to join this historic moment, an awakening of repentance and reconciliation, sparking genuine change in the very place we call our home — the local church.

To read the full statement and/or become a signatory, please click here.