FIND YOUR VOICE:  A Reflection from the Moderator

by Moderator, Rev Bruce Moore

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, a time when we are invited - indeed compelled - to listen carefully to voices that have too often been silenced, and to speak clearly where the church has sometimes been hesitant.

This month’s theme, Many Voices, One Spirit, is grounded in the promise of Scripture. In the Book of Acts, Peter proclaims the ancient words of the prophet Joel:

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)

The Spirit is poured out on all - not selectively, not conditionally. God’s Spirit gives voice. God’s Spirit calls truth to be spoken.  And yet, when it comes to domestic and family violence, the church has not always used its voice well.

There have been times when our words have caused harm. Words like forgiveness, covenant, or faithful endurance have sometimes been spoken too quickly, without fully recognising the fear, danger, and trauma someone was living with. Scripture and spiritual language have, at times, been misused - silencing people, excusing control, or keeping someone trapped in an unsafe situation.

Let me be clear: when someone seeks safety, they are not failing in faith, nor are they abandoning their commitment. They are responding to abuse.

Abuse is never okay.  No amount of spiritual language can make violence holy. Nothing in the gospel excuses coercion, control, or the misuse of power. Christ never blesses harm.

The love we see in Jesus Christ does the opposite. Christ’s love never coerces, silences, or diminishes. Christ’s love protects, restores, and gives life.

For church leaders, congregations and faith communities, this is not optional work. It is part of our calling. Pastoral care can be life‑saving when we listen deeply, take concerns seriously, and always prioritise safety. That means knowing when to act, when to support legal protections, and when to refer people to trained specialists and accredited services.

It also means finding our voice.  Finding our voice to say clearly that violence has no place in homes, in relationships, or in our communities. Finding our voice to stand with those who are vulnerable. Finding our voice to name truth, even when it is uncomfortable.

The outpouring of God’s Spirit invites us into courage - not reckless words, but faithful truth‑telling; not silence, but compassion shaped by wisdom and love.

As the Uniting Church, may we be known as a community where voices are heard, safety is honoured, and love is more than words. May we speak - not out of fear or habit - but with courage, clarity, and care, always seeking life, safety, and justice for all.