By Tami Hubler - 

What is Caring Well Sunday?

Caring Well Sunday will be observed for the first time on September 24, 2023 and is dedicated to awareness and a proactive attitude toward preventing sexual, physical and emotional abuse. It will be observed on the last Sunday in September moving forward.

Caring Well is an initiative of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group. It was created as a unified call to action for churches to confront the abuse crisis. Partners include Southern Baptist entities, state conventions, associations, and churches – as well as outside organizations.

The subject of abuse in our churches cannot be separated from our purpose of evangelism and missions. As J.D. Greear stated in the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group report at the 2019 Southern Baptist Annual Meeting:

“What greater lie could we tell about the gospel than for us not to be doing whatever it takes to make our churches safe places for the vulnerable? …Why would the lost trust us with a message of salvation if they are not sure if they can trust us with the safety of the vulnerable? Why would survivors trust us to care for their souls if they are not sure if they can trust us to care for their wounds?”

What can my church do?

The Caring Well Challenge – 8 Steps, 12 Months

Your church can join congregations from around the country by committing to the Caring Well Challenge eight steps:

1. Commit – commit to the Caring Well Challenge

2. Build – Build a Caring Well Team to lead your church’s effort

3. Launch - Launch the Caring Well Challenge

4. Train – Train your team

5. Care – Equip leaders through Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused

6. Prepare – Enhance policies, procedures, and practices related to abuse

7. Share – Dedicate Sunday services, on a date that works for your church, to address abuse

8. Reflect – Reflect on the Caring Well Challenge

Become a part of the Caring Well Challenge by signing up at the Caring Well website caringwell.com. This website has a host of downloadable resources and curriculum for your church. These include Survivor Stories, Launch Media for your Church, Training Videos, Hiring Guide, How to Create a Safety Team and Sermon Outline – just to name a few. You may also find curriculum on sexual, physical and emotional abuse at churchcares.org.

Prayerfully consider becoming a part of this call to action to equip your church to be a safe place for survivors and safe from abuse.

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

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Tami Hubler serves as the WMU Director of Indiana's East Central Association.