Be mindful of the stats...

In my last post I mentioned that stats don't lie.

Sure, by definition, this is a massive generalization, but something which needs to be taken into account whenever someone stands before a bunch of people.

Including ministers.
Especially new ministers.

As I mentioned in my last post, a large chunk of any audience will be struggling with the use of porn - both males and females.

Additionally, the stats surrounding sexual abuse and sexual violence are something a minister must be mindful of.

This post about the awareness a church needs to have in regards to the number of victims and survivors of abuse/sexual violence should be eye opening.

Admittedly, some of the numbers may be skewed due to the differing American and Australian cultures, but not dramatically.

If these stats are to be believed, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men have experience sexual violence since the age of 15.

Furthermore, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have been a survivor of abuse as a child.

Given the gender breakdown of an average church - 61% female - that creates a sizable portion of your church.

Lets say, you're in the "average mid-sized church" with 100 people.

If you crunch the numbers conservatively...
12 women and 2 men will have been assaulted alongside 20 female and 6 male survivors of childhood abuse.

That's around 40% of your congregation.

And, unfortunately, the stats don't lie...