Let's Laugh: Discovering How Laughter Will Make You Healthy Book

Unfortunately my progress in this book has been slow but it has nothing to do with the book itself. So far, I appreciate the perspective that Livingston offers in addressing the other side of domestic abuse--the abuser, and his healing and transformation.

The approach he has thus far presented is one that holds the abuser accountable for actions, does not deny the reality of abuse (and consequences in terms of the rightness of the end of relationship between abuser and abused, among other things), and works to genuinely raise awareness and transformation in the abuser rather than a false sense of contrition. The thing I am curious about is how this actually looks in a real-life setting, and of course if there are useful parts to take into a life of ministry where one is almost sure to encounter abusive relationships. Livingston is addressing this in terms of how Christian Communities might work alongside abusive men (he focuses on men, not to deny that women can be abusive in relationships, but because the vast majority of cases of domestive abuse involve a male abuser and female abuse-ee), so I am curious what his recommendations are for not only how pastoral leadership might advocate for healing in cases of abuse (without being blanket advocates of reconciliation that typically leads right back into abuse) as well as how the whole church community might also so advocate for right relationships between men and women.