Tagged With "Kingdom of God"
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Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
As I start to talk with pastors about why ACEs matter and why they should inform themselves and their congregations, I regularly hear something like this: "But why does it matter? What difference should it make in ministry? Can't I simply preach and teach the Bible and leave the results up to God?" By way of answer to these questions, I am starting to put together a training called "10 things that kid with ACEs would like you to know: moving your church toward greater empathy." The following...
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The Books That Helped Me Transition from Trauma to Triumph: A Book Review Series - "The Power of Now"
The author takes us on a journey into a deep place within us, a place where the truth is known "within every cell of (our) body"; beyond the masks we wear, the criticisms we've cloaked ourselves in, our over-thinker personas, fueled by the old doubts we've absorbed into our beings.
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The Power of a Trauma-Informed Ministry
ACE Overcomers: The Center for Resiliency and Trauma-Informed Training The Valley Dream Center of Fresno, California hosted a 2-day training, conducted by ACE Overcomers. 40 individuals gathered for the 2-day training on The Power of a Trauma-Informed Ministry. Most participants were from California's Central Valley, along with attendees from San Diego, Oregon and New Mexico. The primary goal was to increase an understanding of trauma and adverse childhood experiences and introduce a...
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They went to Pride with 'I'm sorry' signs, and people are feeling all the feels. (upworthy.com)
The Philippines' LGBTQ community and its allies gathered near the capitol city of Manila June 30 to celebrate Pride. Like most public Pride events, the march drew plenty of people who were decidedly not there to celebrate love and acceptance. Surprisingly, though, some religious groups were there for a completely different reason - they came to say sorry. "I'm sorry," read a large banner carried by one Christian group that marched in solidarity with the LGBTQ community. "We're here to...
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Tools and how to use them is focus of second webinar on Community Resiliency Model, May 14, 2020
The second of two free Community Resiliency (CRM) webinars with Elaine Miller-Karas , key creator of the CRM, will be held Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET, (10 a.m. CT; 9 a.m. MT, and 8 a.m. PT) and will include the practical application of tools of the model. CRM is an ACEs science-based biological model for helping individuals become emotionally regulated during natural disasters and other dysregulating times. Miller-Karas will be joined by CRM trainers from Wilmington, NC:...
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Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.
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Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
I have written before about a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care that has now extended to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . Trauma results when we experience something as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. A traumatic event, circumstance or series of events leaves a lasting effect on our ability to experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended (John 10:10). Adversity, and particularly traumatic stress in childhood,...
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 2]
Was Jesus’ ministry trauma-informed, part 2: recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma There is a movement that is beginning to take shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . The topic concerns churches that are interested in missional engagement with the culture because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if we can break the cycle of adversity in childhood we can help everyone experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended...
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 3]: recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma
Perhaps you have heard about it by now? There’s a movement spreading across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . The topic concerns churches that are interested in missional engagement with the culture because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if we can break the cycle of adversity in childhood we can help everyone experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended (John 10:10). In the first post in the series , I focused only the first...
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Was Jesus’ ministry “trauma-informed?” [part 4]: Responding to trauma within the compassionate Kingdom of God
There is a movement taking shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . I am personally invested in this movement and I am intrigued by the ways I see connections between Jesus’ teachings and trauma-informed ministry principles. In the first post in the series, I focused only the first identifier of a trauma-informed ministry: the realization of the widespread impact of trauma and potential paths for recovery. In the second and third posts, I...
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What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
There is a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care: becoming trauma-informed. For those in ministry, “trauma informed” can be a confusing phrase, bringing up images we might not naturally associate with the church and its mission and ministry. Trauma results from something that occurs in a person’s life that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. An event, circumstance or series of events that are traumatic leaves lasting...
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What Happens When "My" Spiritual & Mental Selves Face-Off!
Greetings, All! Dwayne, here! In this general Thread of helping "Religion" deal with Mental Health issues... My initial fear, to diving right in, has been too much doctrine & dogma getting in the way. Religion (just sharing my opinion) is all about putting walls up, to define what you believe... The Mental Health system already does that -- with labels, methodologies, and far too many misdiagnoses. My "Faith" is based on Spirituality -- which (again, just sharing my personal perspective)...
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Why we need both God and medicine to overcome trauma [America Jesuit Review]
As part of the Ignatian Colleagues Program , a leadership opportunity for lay administrators and faculty at Jesuit institutions, I read the Rev. Bryan Massingale’s Racial Justice and the Catholic Church . Father Massingale writes that if Catholics see systems or processes that are unfair to certain populations, God calls us to change them to be more equitable. To do anything less is a sin. After reading it, I felt God calling me to use my position as the president of Marquette University to...
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Why you faith community should know about ACEs - from Helenair.com
As I begin to share with faith communities throughout Montana why adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) matter and how they can help build more resilient children and healthier communities, I sometimes hear something like this: "But why does it matter? What difference should it make in ministry?” The ACE survey measured the prevalence of ten stress-inducing factors in childhood including abuse, neglect, and substance abuse in the home, and these factors definitely influence ministries...
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With VBS coming up, attitudes and conversations can make a difference when you have a rambunctious group of kids
Summer is here, and recently I’ve been doing my early morning walk on the beach. In our part of the country we have a beach restoration project going on. This project involves ships, pipes 4 feet in diameter, tractors, backhoes, and other equipment needed to dredge the sand off the bottom of the ocean and pump it up onto the beach. It’s quite interesting to watch the sand pour out of those very large pipes onto the beach and then observe the large earthmoving equipment move all the sand...
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You know I really believe!!!
Folks from Pastors to Priests to dharma brothers and sisters and beyond really do have the power if they become educated about adversity in childhood to really make a change for individuals and for the larger community you live in! In fact it is...
Ask the Community
from my blog... Creating Communities of Hope for those with ACEs
Before coming to Intermountain, I spent a little over 15 years in children’s and youth ministry in the local church setting. For 8 years I was the youth minister at a small church in Southwest Washington, and most recently spent 7 ½ years...
Ask the Community
Religion, faith and trauma
I'm looking for some research in the area of children's belief in God, faith and religion when a child experiences trauma. I've been commissioned to write an article for a major children's ministry publication and can no research in this area. I...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Heather thanks so much for your comment! I really appreciate it but I am truly going beyond a place of this is what happened to me thanks for helping! I use my story to give a valid example of a real life person who shows us clearly that this is an area for those of us with faith should engage! Engagement is soooooo consistent with what folk with faith are charged by God to do??? I know this to be true!!!! I believe I am a boddisatva (a person born to bring compassion to the world). I was...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Originally Posted by Tina Marie Hahn, MD: Heather thanks so much for your comment! I really appreciate it but I am truly going beyond a place of this is what happened to me thanks for helping! I use my story to give a valid example of a real life person who shows us clearly that this is an area for those of us with faith should engage! Engagement is soooooo consistent with what folk with faith are charged by God to do??? I know this to be true!!!! I believe I am a boddisatva (a person born...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Jesus felt as he was dying the same pain, I believe, felt by the traumatized child! Matthew 27: 45-46 "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. "And about the nineth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My god, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Thanks, Linda. Blunt? Ha ha... Here at Intermountain we teach the children to "be direct" and we try and do the same. "Tell me what you need so I can do my best to help you," "Use your words..." etc. etc. So, while I was always a pretty direct person who didn't shy away from confrontation in ministry, I have shed almost all inhibition when it comes to addressing issues head on! Also, Linda, you know better than I do from your time in ministry, these issues don't go away with niceties. This...
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Re: Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
Chaplain, I love this take. I'm going to be waiting anxiously for the next installment. I've often used Isaiah 61:1 in workshops but now I'm going to incorporate it into my trauma-informed churches workshop. Jesus understood and he had empathy one of the most important traits in dealing with kids in trauma. Thanks so much. Linda
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Re: Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
Thank you, Linda! Honored that you'd be looking forward to the next installment!
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Re: Confused
Hello, Ed! I became homeless due to mental illness that was related to the severity of my ACEs, and have been unable to return to a local church community since that happened. Many churches don't understand the complexities of trauma recovery, so my goal is to try to help answer the questions I had when I was first diagnosed with several mental health disorders. I'm working on creating my own resources for sharing with anyone interested in understanding the conflict of our religious beliefs...
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Re: Confused
Hi Ed, I have found the SAMSHA principles helpful to understand what it means to be trauma informed. What Does it Mean to be a Trauma Informed Church? There is a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care: becoming trauma-informed. For those in ministry, “trauma informed” can be a confusing phrase, bringing up images we might not naturally associate with the church and its mission and ministry. Trauma results from something that occurs in a person’s life that...
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Re: Confused
Hi Ed, I'm excited that you want to share the information about childhood trauma with the church. It is my belief that God wants to heal the Church from its trauma wounds so that we can reach out to others and offer healing. I've started a movement and written a spiritually integrated trauma recovery model to use in churches and any location open to understanding more about ACE impact. I have a book and workbook on Amazon.com (Break EVERY Stinking Chain! Healing for Hidden Wounds) and offer...
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Re: Silent Cries: How the church can help people with mental illness [ChristianityToday.com]
I'm going to stick my neck out and share that as a person of faith, I struggle using the word "church." I think our churches can be fear-based, therefore if you struggle, it can be seen as you don't have a strong faith, you haven't prayed hard enough, or that it is a sin that you struggle to overcome an obstacle in your life. I trained a Christian High School on trauma-informed care and I shared how important it was for them to listen to their students and how important it was for their...
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Hi Folks! I'm attaching two documents that I used to deliver the teaching I mentioned in the post above. There is a Powerpoint file that I used on the Sunday that I've converted to a PDF. And the script that accompanies the Powerpoint is also in a PDF document. This presentation and the supporting documents are a 'work in progress.' As Ronnie and I present this to other churches and ministries in the area, I'm sure that it will evolve. We are doing our best to share this important material...
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Thanks so much for sharing all of this information and all your hard work. Choosing the right words for these discussions is challenging....mind, spirit, soul, heart?? It's not black and white. As a doctor, I first think of the heart as the incredible pumping heart that pumps 1500-2000 gallons of blood each day as it recirculates our 5 quarts of blood. I guess that's why I stick with body, mind, and spirit (soul). However we describe our parts, we can all agree they are God given and ...
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Hi Daun, we are not using slides for our Thursday sessions. We are slowing addressing the most prevalent spiritual risk factors and issues of the heart and their associated biblical principles/truths. This Thursday at least one of the participants experienced a very, very powerful release/inner healing/deliverance. It was life changing for her, praise God!
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Daun, it seems that my reference to Kauffman, 2016 came from this internet page - https://www.youthranch.org/edu...onal-impacts-of-aces It's clear to me now that the complete reference is not included. And I see you may be the referenced author. Do you have an accurate reference source that should be used? And attached is a PPT slide with a completed table of Biblical Principles for Risk Factors.
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Re: from my blog... Creating Communities of Hope for those with ACEs
I agree with you, Chris! There are so very many people hurting that the generic sermons just don't reach them. We have to get out and serve the hurting people like Jesus did. We started a ministry that we are waiting for 501c3 status for, called Lapeer P.E.A.R.L.S. (Prevent. Educate. Advocate. Restore. Love. Support) that is faith based, using Matthew 18:10 Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my...
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Re: Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
This is awesome! I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this congregation...
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Re: Drawing connections, building empathy and resilience in traumatized children
Thanks for sharing these ideas to create a space for God in trauma-informed care. I am also working on creative thoughts and ideals for faith-based TIC.
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Re: Intermountain hosts trauma-informed ministry training and workshop
Hi Chris, I have used your description of what it is a trauma informed church. Could let me know how you would like to be sited on that piece?
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Re: Examples of churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other faith communities practicing child trauma prevention and intervention?
Lauralee, Thanks for reaching out. Happy to hear from you. Check my website: aceovercomers.org We now have online facilitator training. The first session (one of twelve) is free. There is a difference between establishing a safe culture in a church and just adding a new class to the list of available classes. Establishing a safe culture requires the pastor and leadership to "buy into" understanding and practicing trauma-informed approach to ministry. I'm not saying that the pastor must...
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Re: Why be "trauma-informed?" - a training for churches by Chaplain Chris Haughee, DMin
Thank you, Andy! God bless you, Chris
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Re: Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
Thanks for sharing how God is using his people to share this facet of the gospel!
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Re: Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. Though my work with ACEs and Trauma-Informed education began through my job at the Police Department, I am an ordained minister and have shared this message with our local faith community and hope in the coming months to provide them a four hour SAMHSA trauma-informed training for local pastors on the subject. In my work (Community Crime Prevention Programs) I was drawn to this subject in 2014 and felt it was an opportunity to infuse the community with...
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Re: Influencer's Church of Cumming, GA Hosts Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery: A Detailed Map for Healing
This sounds terrific Denise! I SO much appreciate that this resource is grounded in the God of the Bible and in the truths associated with the Christian faith.
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Re: Influencer's Church of Cumming, GA Hosts Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery: A Detailed Map for Healing
Thanks, Dale. I am very excited to share this with everyone and look forward to seeing what God is going to do with it. We are completing our first research project now and hope to share that with you by the end of the year.
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Free Online Stress-Reduction Program for Individuals and Faith-Based Groups
Hello. It is so satisfying to be able to turn to this wonderful community and tell you about the free online program I’m offering through my Serenity and Health ministry. While many of us continue with social distancing, this program may be useful for you or your church group. It is particularly relevant to this ACE community...both to prevent ACEs and to mitigate the new sources of stress created by the pandemic and felt so keenly by ACE survivors. The program is available in English and...
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The psychological benefits of prayer: What science says about the mind-soul connection (CNN)
Kristen Rogers, June 17, 2020, CNN. Carol Kochon prayed during her husband's 42-day hospitalization for Covid-19. Susceptible to lung infections, Rob Kochon had been feeling sick and developing shortness of breath for about four days when he was was admitted to a Florida hospital on Tuesday, March 17. He was diagnosed with double pneumonia. The next day, a coronavirus test came back positive. On Friday, Rob was relocated downtown to AdventHealth Orlando so he could be intubated. On March 29,...
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Resilience for Children & Families: Being Brave When Things are Hard
Building Resilience with Children During Racial Discrimination & Violence: This attached Resilience Brief for Children has been the hardest one I have written yet. I have been an active advocate for the equal treatment of people from all backgrounds, religions, ethnic heritages, orientations, and families my entire life. It is hard to see the pain present today, not only due to COVID19 but also due to the harm and anger we see daily in the news. I want to share a story about the person...
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My Abuse In Christian Settings
Sixty years ago this summer I told. My parents fought to have my perpetrator removed from the organization - to no avail. They were accused of being the ones with the problem because they could not forgive, forget and move on. Thank God, my parents did move on. They left that group. Their belief in me and their sacrificial actions gave me the foundation to thrive. However, the abuse became flesh and dwelt inside me and for decades I suffered great gynecological problems. Recent studies link...