As expected, the media coverage was less than tasteful. News programs breathlessly broadcast every rumor that came their way. As soon as they could get their grimy little hands on them, gossip magazines and websites posted pictures of Rihanna's injuries, making it one of Google's top searched-for items. I wouldn't be surprised if the E! Entertainment Network immediately got to work on their True Hollywood Story special about the whole mess.

And as expected, the media coverage has also been less than thoughtful. I mean, is this the most critical question CBS could think of: Is Chris Brown's Career Over? Still, in the media's defense, they have asked a very important question in the midst of rumors that Rihanna is getting back together with Brown: Why Would She Go Back? The problem is that the media isn't asking even deeper questions, and of other people - a problem that a colleague of mine, Camerin Courtney, has pointed out masterfully on the Today's Christian Woman blog. She writes:

While this is all certainly worth discussing [why Rihanna might stay in the relationship], I can't help but wonder: Where is Chris Brown in this story?

There was a passing mention at the end of the Today show segment this morning about how he's already lost an endorsement deal. There are small photos of him and Rihanna, mostly smiling and happy, inside [an] issue of People (a stark contrast to the image of Rihanna's battered face after the alleged attack that have been all over the media).

Why aren't high-profile celebrities publicly denouncing Chris's decision to hit his girlfriend? (To be fair, maybe there have been some that I simply haven't seen.) Why aren't we asking why someone so successful could have such a difficult time handling his anger in appropriate ways? ?

Why? Because, for the most part, domestic violence is seen as a women's issue.

Click here to read the rest of Camerin's thoughts.

All of this has me thinking about our role as preachers in this issue. How are we preaching to help the abused? Actually, maybe the first question is this: Are we preaching to help the abused? In all my life, I've heard one - one - sermon on domestic or relational abuse (and that was only because of my role with Preaching Today). Are we helping the abused navigate the pain, the crippling fear, the shame they sometimes feel - not just through our additional ministry programming, but from the pulpit? Are we using the pastoral mantle to help them break free from the vicious cycle of abuse?

But then how are we preaching to confront - and yes, help - the abusers in our midst? Once again, maybe the first question is this: Are we preaching to confront and help the abusers in our midst? In her blog post, Camerin writes: "[Author on domestic violence] Jackson Katz raised the point that when it comes to cases of domestic violence, our typical question is 'why does she stay?' when the more foundational and troubling question is 'why does he hit?'" So, are we confronting the anger of the abusers - their hunger for power, their tendency to manipulate - in appropriate, redemptive ways? Are we using the prophetic mantle to help them break free from the vicious cycle of abusing others?

Perhaps this is why you don't really hear many sermons on abuse. Preachers have quite a responsibility on their hands. They have to ask the right questions and determine the right course of action that champions the safety of the abused ("Get out, now! And we will help you.") and the redemption of the abusers ("Get help, now! And we will help you."). But as hard as it might be, we cannot ignore this issue. It's everywhere. Today's Christian Woman chose domestic violence as the cause of the year, and I suspect you would be shocked at the level of response this has gotten. Stop what you're doing, and read some of the stories and the subsequent comments from readers. It's heart wrenching, friends. Heart wrenching.

And it's a call to responsible action. (Note "responsible." This isn't something where we can just hop on our horses and rail on about the issue from our pulpits. If we handle this inappropriately and thoughtlessly, we might actually rile the abusers toward more abuse or shame the abused into staying. Again, this is not easy stuff, folks!)

So I'm curious - what have you done/are you doing concerning the issue of abuse? Have you preached on it? If so, what did you do? What would you do differently? What resources have helped? Anything to can give is something we can gain from. Please share so we can all responsibly move forward as preachers and shepherds.