See My Body, See Me
A Pentecostal Perspective on Healing from Sexual Violence
Foreword by Kimberly Ervin Alexander
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
268 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.54 in
- Paperback
- 9798385204793
- Published: September 2024
$36.00 / £28.00 / AU$53.00
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#MeToo. #ChurchToo. #pentecostalsisterstoo. Since 2018, hashtags and stories of sexual violence have appeared in all sectors of life from Hollywood to the Olympics; from politics to religion; from universities to seminaries; and among pentecostals. But amid all these stories of sexual abuse and assaults, one may wonder if any stories of healing from sexual violence exist. If so, what does healing look like, particularly among pentecostals who believe in divine healing? Is it a single prayer of faith or a conglomeration of healing factors? In true pentecostal form, See My Body, See Me systematically examines the healing stories of eight pentecostal survivors and the experiences of five pentecostal licensed counselors. It then combines these experiences of both males and females with Scripture, theology, psychology, and culture to provide a pentecostal perspective on healing from sexual violence. As a practical theological approach, See My Body, See Me also offers acts of ministry to provide healing spaces by way of three embodied praxes that are historically and theologically pentecostal: listening, waiting, and learning. See My Body, See Me is an invitation to participate in Christ's healing ministry to see, hear, and believe survivors as God sees, hears, and believes them.
Pamela F. Engelbert is a practical theologian and a grief support facilitator, as well as an author and researcher in the area of suffering and healing among pentecostals. She has served as a co-pastor and co-missionary with her husband, and she has taught online and seated classes on providing pastoral care from a pentecostal perspective in the United States and Asia, respectively. She is the author of Who Is Present in Absence? (2019).
“In the wake of ongoing church abuse scandal and the reality of sexual trauma in our society, Pamela Engelbert provides a comprehensive pastoral resource for church leaders. Academically researched, biblically grounded, and thoroughly Pentecostal, See My Body, See Me is at once sober, practical, and hopeful. It’s both a vindication of local church efforts to address trauma in community and a call to wield Pentecostal practices to facilitate and deepen the work of healing.”
—Joseph Lear, pastor of preaching and theology, Resurrection Assembly of God
“This is a must-read for Pentecostals! Sexual violence has too long been swept under the rug in our tradition. Pamela Engelbert’s book does not shy away from the trauma experienced by women but offers a path forward toward healing. This is a book for survivors and their families, for counselors, and for pastors who wish to participate in Christ’s healing ministry.”
—Melissa L. Archer, professor of biblical studies, Southeastern University
“This book is a powerful call to attune to the lived experiences of Pentecostal survivors of sexual violence and to become those who can enter their unique journeys and companion them effectively through specific healing praxes. Pamela Engelbert skillfully weaves together theological, biblical, and psychological insights with the stories of survivor and counselor-participants. The result is a transformative and must-read resource for Pentecostal believers and their communities and for those providing care to them.”
—Haley R. French, LPC, assistant professor of professional counseling, Oral Roberts University
“As we continue to discern how to navigate the reality of sexual violence in the church, Pamela Engelbert has written a masterful work that combines practical help for survivors of sexual violence and also a framework for those who lead in religious spaces to work to prevent sexual violence and to walk with survivors. I believe that Engelbert’s work will bring healing to all who are impacted by the implications of sexual violence in our churches.”
—Joy E. A. Qualls, associate dean, Biola University
“Pamela Engelbert’s book is a gem, bringing acute scholarship woven with her personal story and a cogent call for intentional awareness, grace, and healing. This book will be a welcome and needed resource for all those who have suffered such assault and for those in professional mental health and ministry roles—one that takes seriously her Christian and Pentecostal heritage. Get your copy of this book as soon as it is available!”
—George D. Fessler, director of pastoral care, SoCal Network Assemblies of God
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