1. What would I do if a teenage girl in my church were to tell me something alarming in confidence? (i.e. a pregnancy, eating disorder, abuse, ect.)
First of all, I would never promise her to keep it secret. I would counsel her through the situation as best I could and encourage her to tell her parents or legal guardians. I would offer to be there with her when she talked with her parents and offer my support and listening ear. If she refused to tell her parents and I felt that it was absolutely necessary, I would quietly disclose the information to those responsible for her.
2. How would I handle it if one of my kids ever told me that he or she thought they might be gay?
My husband and I would walk through the biblical view of homosexuality and pray with them. We would talk with them about their feelings and, if needed, we would find a Christian counselor to help us. Under no circumstances would they be allowed to date anyone of their own gender but we would try to handle the situation with sensitivity and Truth.
3. What would I do if one of the women in my church (whom I may be close to, mentoring, or be her small group/Bible study leader) wanted to divorce her husband without biblical reasons?
Contrary to popular belief, a Christian marriage is a public thing. When a husband and wife who claim to be Christians want to end their marriage, their Christian brothers and sisters have a right (if not a duty) to intervene and try to help save their marriage. I would talk with her and, if appropriate, her husband as well. I would recommend a Christian marriage counselor as it would surely get to the point where it was beyond my expertise. I may also recommend she read the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.
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