I Am What I Am

Episode 108: When Is Reconciliation Appropriate?When intimate partner violence has occurred, pastors may eventually face one of the most difficult questions in the process: Can this marriage be restored?In this episode, Felix Cervantes discusses why forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation, and restoration are related biblical concepts—but they are not the same thing. Pastors must resist the temptation to make reconciliation the immediate goal simply because marriage is sacred or because the person who caused harm says they have changed.This episode explores the importance of recognizing genuine repentance through observable fruit, respecting the survivor’s boundaries, allowing trust to be rebuilt over time, involving qualified professionals, and never using Scripture to pressure a survivor back into an unsafe relationship.Key Principle: Reconciliation should never be the result of pastoral pressure. It should only be considered when genuine repentance, safety, accountability, and sustained transformation can be demonstrated over time.Pastors are reminded that successful ministry should not be measured simply by whether a marriage remains together, but by faithfulness to biblical truth, protection of the vulnerable, genuine repentance, and wise pastoral care.Scripture: Romans 12:18; Proverbs 22:3; Matthew 3:8; Matthew 7:20 (NKJV)Learn more and explore additional resources at iamwhatiam.orgI Am What I Am Ministry — Equipping Pastors. Strengthening Churches. Restoring Lives.

Episode 107: When the Abusive Individual Wants HelpWhat should a pastor do when the person causing harm comes asking for help?In this episode of the I Am What I Am Ministry Podcast, Felix Cervantes explores one of the more difficult responsibilities of pastoral care: shepherding an abusive individual without minimizing the harm done to the survivor. Pastors are called to extend both truth and grace—but remorse should never be mistaken for genuine repentance.Using biblical principles from 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 51, Galatians 6, Proverbs 12, and Matthew 7, this episode examines what genuine repentance looks like and why pastors should look beyond apologies, tears, promises, and spiritual language to the fruit that develops over time. Biblical repentance involves ownership, humility, accountability, respect for boundaries, acceptance of consequences, and observable change. Pastoral care should not simply focus on getting a marriage back together. The goal must be transformation. An abusive individual must confront the misuse of power, controlling behaviors, intimidation, justification, and the harm caused to another person. Specialized professional intervention may also be necessary because abuse is not simply a communication problem.In this episode, pastors will consider: The difference between remorse and biblical repentance  Why apologies alone do not demonstrate lasting change  How blame and justification can hide behind apparent ownership  Why repentance must respect boundaries and consequences  How pastors can evaluate repentance by its fruit over time  Why reconciliation should never be rushed or guaranteed  When specialized intervention and referral may be necessary  How to extend grace without minimizing abusive behavior  Why the survivor is not responsible for the abusive individual's transformationKey Principle: Repentance is more than being sorry about consequences. Biblical repentance produces observable change.Faithful shepherding can hold two truths together: no one is beyond the transforming grace of God, but believing change is possible does not mean pretending that change has already happened.I Am What I Am Ministry Equipping Pastors. Strengthening Churches. Restoring Lives. “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.” — 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV)

Episode 106: Referral Is Not FailureDoes referring a survivor to someone else mean a pastor has failed to shepherd them?Absolutely not.In this episode of the I Am What I Am Ministry Podcast, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores why recognizing the limits of our expertise is an important part of faithful pastoral care.Pastors are called to provide biblical guidance, prayer, compassion, encouragement, and spiritual care—but they are not expected to become trauma therapists, attorneys, domestic violence advocates, medical professionals, or law enforcement officers. Sometimes the wisest pastoral response is recognizing when someone needs specialized help and knowing where to find it.But referral should never mean abandonment.This episode challenges pastors and churches to move beyond simply handing survivors a list of phone numbers and instead begin expanding the circle of care—connecting individuals with qualified professionals while continuing to walk beside them as their pastor.In This EpisodeWhy pastors do not have to be experts in everythingRecognizing the limits of pastoral careThe difference between referral and abandonmentWhy churches should build referral relationships before a crisis occursThe roles of advocates, counselors, attorneys, medical professionals, and law enforcementHow pastors can continue providing spiritual care after a referralWhy survivors should be supported in making informed decisions rather than having decisions made for themPractical steps for beginning a church referral pathwayA "Think Like a Shepherd" ministry scenarioA closing prayer for pastors and church leadersKey Takeaway"Referral is not an admission that you failed to shepherd someone. Sometimes referral is exactly what faithful shepherding requires."Another Principle to RememberDon't hand them off. Expand the circle of care.ScriptureProverbs 11:14 (NKJV) reminds us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors.1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that God never designed one part of the body to do everything. Each part has a role and contributes something others cannot provide alone.Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, 12 (NKJV) reminds us that we were never designed to carry every burden alone and that "a threefold cord is not quickly broken."This Week's ChallengeDon't wait until someone discloses abuse to determine where you will refer them.Begin identifying trusted resources in your community for domestic violence advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, legal assistance, children's services, emergency housing, medical care, and other needs survivors may face.You don't need fifty organizations.Start with a few trusted resources. Learn what they do. Learn what they don't do. Keep the information current.That's how a referral pathway begins.Ministry ResourcesVisit iamwhatiam.org for biblical resources, practical ministry tools, referral information, and training designed to equip pastors and churches to faithfully recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.If this episode encouraged or equipped you, please consider sharing it with another pastor, church leader, or ministry team.I Am What I Am MinistryEquipping Pastors. Strengthening Churches. Restoring Lives.This episode is part of the Foundations of Pastoral Response series from I Am What I Am Ministry.

Episode 105: Building a Church That Is Safe for SurvivorsWhat makes a church a safe place for someone experiencing abuse?A church does not become safe by accident. It becomes safe through intentional leadership, compassionate preparation, and a commitment to reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd.In this episode of the I Am What I Am Ministry Podcast, Pastor Felix Cervantes explains why creating a culture of safety begins long before someone ever asks for help. Learn how pastors and church leaders can foster an environment where survivors know they will be heard, protected, and connected to appropriate care.Whether your church has fifty members or five thousand, every congregation can take meaningful steps toward becoming a place of refuge for those experiencing intimate partner violence.In This Episode Why church culture matters before a disclosure ever occurs  The biblical responsibility of shepherds to protect the flock  How leadership shapes a culture of safety  Why preparation communicates compassion  What survivors silently look for when they visit a church  A practical "Think Like a Shepherd" ministry scenario  The role of church leadership, children's ministry, and safety teams  A closing prayer for pastors and church leaders Key Takeaway"Safe churches don't happen by accident. They are built intentionally, one decision, one policy, one conversation, and one act of compassion at a time."Scripture1 Peter 5:2–3 (NKJV) — "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers..."Proverbs 22:3 (NKJV) — "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished."Ministry ResourcesVisit iamwhatiam.org for biblical resources, practical ministry tools, referral information, and training designed to equip pastors and churches to faithfully recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with another pastor or church leader.I Am What I Am Ministry Equipping Pastors. Strengthening Churches. Restoring Lives.

Episode 104: Safety Before SolutionsShould a pastor pursue reconciliation before ensuring a survivor's safety?In this episode of the I Am What I Am Ministry Podcast, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores one of the most important—and often misunderstood—principles in pastoral care: safety must come before solutions.While reconciliation is a beautiful biblical goal, it should never come at the expense of a person's safety. Through biblical teaching and practical ministry application, this episode helps pastors understand why protecting vulnerable people is not contrary to Scripture—it reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd.If you've ever wondered how to respond when someone discloses abuse, this episode provides a biblical framework for prioritizing protection while remaining committed to God's design for restoration.In This Episode Why reconciliation should never precede safety  The difference between conflict and abuse  Biblical examples of stepping away from danger  The shepherd's responsibility to protect the vulnerable  Why safety creates the opportunity for genuine reconciliation  Practical guidance for responding wisely to abuse disclosures  A "Think Like a Shepherd" ministry scenario  A closing prayer for pastors and church leaders Key Takeaway"Safety is not the opposite of reconciliation. Safety often creates the environment where genuine reconciliation can one day become possible."ScripturePsalm 82:3–4 (NKJV) — "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked." 1 Samuel 19–27 — David wisely fled from Saul's repeated attempts to kill him. John 7:30; John 8:59 (NKJV) — Jesus withdrew from danger because His hour had not yet come. Ministry ResourcesVisit iamwhatiam.org for biblical resources, referral information, and practical ministry tools designed to help pastors and churches faithfully recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with another pastor or church leader.I Am What I Am Ministry Equipping Pastors. Strengthening Churches. Restoring Lives.

What should a pastor say first when someone discloses abuse?The first few moments after someone says, "Pastor, I think I'm being abused," can shape everything that follows.In this episode, Pastor Felix Cervantes explains why a pastor's first response is often more important than the first solution. You'll learn practical, biblical principles for responding with compassion, listening well, avoiding common mistakes, and creating a safe environment where survivors feel heard and valued.Whether you're a pastor, elder, ministry leader, or church volunteer, this episode will help you approach one of the most sacred conversations in ministry with wisdom, grace, and confidence.In This Episode Why the first conversation matters  The goal of the first conversation  Three simple phrases every pastor should know  Common responses to avoid  How trauma affects a survivor's story  Listening versus interrogating  Why your calm presence matters  The importance of reflecting back what you've heard  A practical "Think Like a Shepherd" application  A closing prayer for pastors and church leaders Key Takeaway"Your first response is more important than your first solution."ScriptureJames 1:19 (NKJV)"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."Ministry ResourcesVisit https://iamwhatiam.org for biblical resources, pastoral guidance, referral information, and additional training designed to equip pastors and churches to faithfully recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with another pastor or ministry leader. Together, we can equip pastors, strengthen churches, and restore lives.

Episode 102: Conflict or Abuse?One of the greatest challenges pastors face is recognizing the difference between ordinary marital conflict and intimate partner violence. While both involve hurt, disagreement, and brokenness, they are not the same—and responding to them the same way can unintentionally place survivors at greater risk.In this episode, Felix explores one of the most important distinctions every pastor and church leader must understand:Conflict is about a problem to solve. Abuse is about a person seeking power and control.Together, we'll examine the patterns that distinguish healthy conflict from abusive relationships, explore several forms of abuse—including physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and coercive control—and discuss practical questions pastors should begin asking during pastoral care and marriage counseling.Whether you're a pastor, elder, ministry leader, biblical counselor, or Christian educator, this episode will help you better recognize the warning signs of abuse and respond with wisdom, compassion, and biblical conviction.In This Episode Why conflict and abuse are fundamentally different  Understanding the role of power and control  Recognizing patterns instead of isolated incidents  Physical abuse beyond visible injuries  Emotional abuse and gaslighting  Spiritual abuse and the misuse of Scripture  Financial abuse and dependency  Understanding coercive control  Three questions every pastor should ask during counseling Key Scriptures Matthew 7:16  Proverbs 31:8–9  Proverbs 18:21  Ephesians 5:11 (All Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.)Shepherd's TakeawayWhen counseling couples, don't begin by asking: Who was right?  Who started the argument? Instead ask: Who holds the power?  Who is living in fear?  What patterns have developed over time? Those questions may reveal the difference between conflict and abuse.ResourcesLearn more about recognizing and responding to intimate partner violence within the church by visiting:iamwhatiam.orgYou'll find biblical resources, practical tools, referral information, and training designed specifically for pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams.If this episode encouraged or equipped you, consider sharing it with another pastor or ministry leader.

"Pastor... can we talk?"Those five words may become one of the most significant conversations of your ministry.Every year, survivors of intimate partner violence quietly seek help from someone they trust. Often, that first person is their pastor. Yet many church leaders have never been trained to recognize abuse, understand trauma, or respond in a way that protects both the survivor and the integrity of the church.In this foundational episode, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores the biblical responsibility of shepherds to protect the vulnerable while providing practical guidance on recognizing abuse, understanding trauma responses, and responding with wisdom, compassion, and appropriate referrals.Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this episode will help equip you to respond faithfully when someone entrusts you with one of the most difficult conversations of their life.In This Episode Why pastors are often the first person a survivor tells  The difference between marital conflict and abuse  Understanding coercive control  The four trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn  What Scripture teaches about protecting the vulnerable  Practical first steps every pastor should take after a disclosureScripture Psalm 82:3–4 (NKJV)  Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)  James 1:27 (NKJV)Connect with I Am What I Am Ministry🌐 https://iamwhatiam.orgFind resources for pastors, churches, survivors, referral pathways, articles, and training opportunities designed to help churches become places of safety, healing, and restoration.Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives.By the grace of God,I Am What I Am Ministry