A study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice discovered that the number of children who reported being bullied in the past year dropped from 22 percent in 2003 to 18 percent in 2008. Good news for the four percent of kids who escaped the trauma of bullying. Eighteen percent of kids remained less fortunate, though. That's a large number of kids, so let's go even deeper into this topic.

"Bullying happens whenever an individual is treated in a way that does not honor or respect his or her individuality and right to go about daily activities without fear of being treated meanly," says psychologist Dr. Brad Schwall.

Nearly one in five kids faced days, weeks, or maybe a whole year of fear. Here's the deeper thought to consider: Do any attend your church?

Go deeper still and resist the urge to consider only the victims. That question applies to those bullied or the actual bullies. Now hold your breath and honestly answer this question: Can this be happening in my ministry? Yes, it can.

"The ...