Although the "Her" in the title of this book is the
author, Beth Van Dyke pleads the case for all the "hers"—abandoned
women surviving the tragedy of clergy abuse. Beth's story comes
directly from her heart and is extended to other victims. She has
risked transparency in order to help break the devastating cycle of
clergy abuse.
Beth shares a traumatic series of events that occurred in 1983 and
drastically changed the course of lives in the Van Dyke's family,
the lives of the pastor's family, and the lives of the church
members. Upon seeking the counsel of her pastor about an anxiety
disorder known as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), she soon
found herself embroiled in classic exploitation. The nightmare of
an inappropriate relationship with her pastor was injury enough;
but when Beth felt rejected by her church upon disclosing, "the
family secret," it seemed unbearable.
In What
About Her? author Beth Van Dyke discloses the vulnerability of
parishioners when they seek counsel from their pastors. They become
susceptible to the possibility of exploitation. In writing this
book, Beth also hopes to alert pastors to the Enemy's deadly
arrows that are aimed towards the leaders of God's flock. Her
story challenges pastors to be accountable in the body of
Christ.
