{"id":24638,"date":"2025-10-10T10:49:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=24638"},"modified":"2025-10-07T08:50:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T08:50:28","slug":"elders-and-pastors-unite-for-a-church-free-from-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/elders-and-pastors-unite-for-a-church-free-from-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Elders and Pastors Unite for a Church Free from Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

27 September 2025 |\u00a0Podkowa Le\u015bna, Poland [Daniel Kluska with tedNEWS<\/em>]<\/p>\n

Two major church gatherings in September placed the issue of violence at the centre of discussion, as elders and pastors from across Poland explored how to make the Seventh-day Adventist Church a safe space for all members.<\/p>\n

The Elders Conference, held 13\u201314 September, and the Pastors Conference, held 14\u201316 September, in Podkowa Le\u015bna, Poland, shared the theme \u201cA Church Free from Violence\u201d and examined practical ways congregations can respond to abuse.<\/p>\n

\"Pastor
Pastor Jaros\u0142aw Dzi\u0119gielewski, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland, speaks during the opening of the conference<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Opening the meetings, Pastor Jaros\u0142aw Dzi\u0119gielewski, Polish Union Conference (PUC) president, said the topic could not be ignored. \u201cViolence takes physical, psychological, economic, sexual and spiritual forms, and many cases are never reported. There are people here among us today who have also experienced violence among Adventists. We are not immune to this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Practical insights and church life<\/h2>\n
\"Dr
Dr Helgi J\u00f3nsson gives a presentation during the conference<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The conferences featured input from Dr Helgi J\u00f3nsson, a psychiatrist from Reykjav\u00edk, Iceland, who also works in Denmark, and Iza and Marek Lewosi\u0144ski, therapists specialising in couples therapy and addiction treatment at the INTEGRUM Mental Health Centre in Rybnik, Poland. Their combined medical and pastoral expertise helped participants translate psychological diagnoses into language that church leaders could apply in their ministry.<\/p>\n

\"Marek
Marek and Iza Lewosi\u0144ski present a lecture during the conference<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sessions explored family systems and the mechanisms of violence, character styles and vulnerabilities, the signs of spiritual abuse, and specific pathways to support victims. Participants were guided from first conversations and ensuring immediate safety, through to long-term care and the role of specialised institutions. The closing reflections highlighted the question: how can we respond in today\u2019s context?<\/p>\n

Worship and the Gospel response<\/h2>\n

Worship was central to the programme. Songs of hope and healing, testimonies, and intercessory prayer for those affected by violence created moments of spiritual renewal. These times reminded participants that the Church\u2019s strength lies in closeness to Jesus. For many, the opportunity to sing, pray, and share testimonies provided courage and inspiration to continue serving in difficult contexts.<\/p>\n

\"Worship
Worship team leads singing during the conference programme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speakers also pointed to the Gospel as the measure of safety in the Church. Jesus himself experienced violence from birth to Golgotha, and his example can teach much. When Mary was criticised in Bethany, Jesus defended her with the words, \u201cLeave her alone.\u201d This example of siding with the vulnerable was presented as the standard for the Church: to save, strengthen, lift up, and bring peace where there is hurt.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n

The strongest message of the conferences was that the Church\u2019s standard of safety must be rooted in the Gospel. Jesus’ care of the vulnerable offers an example for the Church to defend, support and bring peace to victims. Leaders agreed that the conversation would continue through safety protocols, trained leadership and a culture of response where victims are heard and perpetrators held accountable.<\/p>\n

Both conferences concluded with a shared commitment: a violence-free church is not simply a theme, but a promise to be realised step by step in every congregation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

[Photos: Jonatan Kasperczak].<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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