2026 P&A Annual Conference – Elective Session 1.
In this session, Mal York and Kara Hartley consider how churches can respond faithfully and wisely to domestic abuse within the family of God.
They outline key definitions and developments in understanding domestic abuse, before grounding the discussion in Scripture—reflecting on marriage, sin, justice, and the responsibility to care for the vulnerable. The session explores how abuse contradicts God’s design for marriage and considers how churches should respond when it occurs.
Drawing on pastoral experience, they provide guidance for prevention, early response, and ongoing care—helping churches think carefully about safety, responsibility, and long-term support for those affected.
This session equips churches to take domestic abuse seriously, to speak clearly, and to respond with both truth and compassion in the life of God’s people.
