For my Adult Spiritual Formation class, we got to do a project of our own choosing.  The choices were very broad, as long as they related to faith development and involved the church.

At first, I decided to focus my project on young adults:  why they were falling away from the church, and how the church can reach them and serve their spiritual needs.  However, after some preliminary research, I decided to focus on pornography.

Yes, I know this is a sticky subject for our churches, but it is a subject that desperately needs to be addressed.  An estimated seventy percent of young men between the ages of 18-34 have viewed pornography in the past month. The average age a person is exposed to pornography is eleven.    In my state alone (Missouri), there is an estimated 15,000 people suspected of viewing child pornography, far more than what law enforcement can handle.

Given the magnitude of this problem, this is something the church needs to tackle, but how do we even begin to tackle such a sensitive issue?

First and foremost, we need to pray.  We need to pray for the people being viewed in pornography, and we need to pray for those who struggle with pornography usage (By the way, clergypersons are susceptible to pornography use since they work in relative isolation, and have a high-pressured job).

Also, we need to create a culture of openness and honesty within our churches.  I know this is difficult to do, but it can be done.  I have found that the best way to foster openness and honesty is through a small group setting, where members covenant to be confidential and accepting of one another.

Several resources are out there to help battle against pornography.  These are just a few.

www.xxxchurch.com.  This website offers free accountability software.  A week of your internet browser history is emailed to an accountability partner of your choosing.

www.ncsac.org .  National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity.

www.settingcaptivesfree.com.  An online program geared at people breakign free from pornography.

www.sa.org.  Sexaholics anonymous is a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Breaking Free:  Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus.  By Russell Willingham.  InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Pornography has had devasting consequences on marriages, as well as victims who are subjugated to participate in pornography against their will.  Let’s pray for our churches and communities who struggle with this issue.