Tagged With "Covenant Church"
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Understanding Addiction, Trauma and Recovery Conference
If you want to be part of educating the faith community about Trauma, ACEs, Addiction and Recovery, then please consider attending this dynamic one day conference in Auburn, CA with Dr. Jessica Rodriguez. CEUs available. Please contact Clay Rojas with any questions: clay.rojas@jessup.edu https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-addiction-trauma-and-recovery-for-christian-leaders-conference-tickets-37279340511?aff=es2
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USD Kroc Insight newsletter - Look Both Ways: Religous Leaders and the Challenge of Engaging Community and Police
Across the United States, including in San Diego where the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ) launched the Building Trust Partnership (BTP), relationships between communities and law enforcement are strained and plagued by mistrust. To build relationships and restore trust between police and communities while confronting difficult, emotionally and politically charged issues, religious leaders must engage with both sides and remain neutral, even when speaking to one may be...
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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 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 a Muslim center opens up across from a Christian church? Community. (upworthy.com)
It all started when the Memphis Islamic Center purchased land across the street from Heartsong Church. It took Pastor Steve Stone of Heartsong Church by surprise. "When I saw that, my stomach kind of tightened up. ... I felt that ignorance and that fear ," he said. Like Stone, Dr. Bashar Shala of the Memphis Islamic Center was unsure of what to expect. The goal of the Islamic center was to create a place for people to "pray and play" and have a sense of community, but he knew they'd likely...
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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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When the Cross is On the Table
Susan Traylor says “When they see the cross on the table, they know someone has died.” The ‘they’ she is talking about are the many folks experiencing homelessness in our small community of Tarpon Springs, Florida. A few weeks ago, the cross was on the table for Terry. I knew him by sight but never knew his name. I observed him over the past few years quite often in a state that makes most people not only uncomfortable, but anxious and fearful as he argued with someone only he could see. He...
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Why be "trauma-informed?" - a training for churches by Chaplain Chris Haughee, DMin
As I wrap up my doctoral studies, I am excited to see how the concept of becoming “trauma-informed” in ministry is starting to pick up steam across the country. A large part of the credit for furthering that conversation goes to you--my friends and colleagues here on ACEsConnection! It's been humbling to see how our relatively small ministry in Montana has something to add to the conversation. In fact, far from being behind the curve here in Montana, we are on the cutting edge in terms of...
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Why do kids of divorce ask, “Who am I?”
Posted on August 13, 2015 by Linda Jacobs Imagine looking like your father and being proud of that fact. Perhaps at some point in your young life your grandmother proudly said to her friends,...
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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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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...
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MK Safety Net US appoints new president
A warm welcome to the new President of MKSafetyNet US, Dale ingraham. Dale is the pastor of Curtis Baptist Bible Church in Campbell, NY. Dale and his wife Faith are co-founders of Speaking Truth in Love Ministries, and work together to educate and...
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Presenting to my congregation
Good Evening, Everyone! I'm in the beginning stages of prep for a Sunday morning presentation in October where I am tasked with giving a very concise yet educational talk on ACES. This will be the first-time introduction for our church family, and as we house and run a significant ministry to struggling (in every way) families , it is imperative we start to help our congregation become trauma-informed. The mindset is often, "we lead you to the Lord, now move on", and the frustration among...
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Re: A program to Teach ACEs concepts/Importance of Avoiding Toxic Stress to Parents at our Local Lutheran Church. Ideas?
TIna, So sorry for the slow response. I'm about ready to go to print with a 12 lesson Biblical/Scientific Principles ACE Overcomers book and a 12 lesson Scientific Principles ACE Overcomers book. Either would be appropriate for church. Additionally, I have a 12 lesson DVD that would be appropriate for bible study classes. It will take me a few weeks to get the books finished, but the DVDs are ready. You can find the DVDs at www.aceovercomers.org . Take care.
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Tina, Thanks so much for sharing your story. Nearly every week someone tells me how their childhood was nearly unbearable were it not for a little old lady who took him or her to Sunday School or took them into her home. Churches have a huge impact, but I'm afraid most pastors are unaware of how a traumatic childhood affects people. I recently read an article in a magazine intended for pastors about "high maintenance" people in church. It spent time bemoaning how some people take advantage...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Originally Posted by Dave Lockridge: Tina, Thanks so much for sharing your story. Nearly every week someone tells me how their childhood was nearly unbearable were it not for a little old lady who took him or her to Sunday School or took them into her home. Churches have a huge impact, but I'm afraid most pastors are unaware of how a traumatic childhood affects people. I recently read an article in a magazine intended for pastors about "high maintenance" people in church. It spent time...
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Great analogies. You put it so bluntly. Maybe that's been the missing element in talking to pastors and church leaders about how to minister to those in trauma or those adults have a high ACEs score. Keep these thoughts coming. Much appreciated
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Perhaps it's time for the faith-based community to step back awhile and *listen to* those who sit in their pews (and those who leave). Start by asking those with lived experiences' of emotional distress to share their stories of the memories and events that served as the kindling for later depression, substance abuse and PTSD. Just... LISTEN. Take notes because the ten items on that ACEs list do not comprise the totality of adversities that children experience. Children may be bullied...
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Excellent points, Sandy... just another affirmation of how valuable this online community can be, as your words challenge and fuel me and encourage me at the same time! Vulnerability, TRUE vulnerability, is very hard in spiritual leadership... I have had church members get visibly agitated my times I have dipped my toe in these waters (years ago... pre-ACE Study), because their image (read: idol) of a minister was someone that was a spiritual superhero that didn't bleed... especially not...
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Re: Confused
Hi Ed- I would suggest that you start with your local church and your personal denomination. There are lots of folks working to bring ACEs and trauma-awareness to faith communities. Often these people are working in child and youth ministry, and in areas such as food pantries, homeless services, etc. All the best, -Sarah
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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
Ed...Last year I partnered up with a Pastor Tim Wesemann and we have written a bible study on ACEs. It is titled "Family. It's Complicated." A Bible Study of ACEs in the Book of Genesis. If you visit my website at www.cope24.com you will find the study there. Read it and then gift it to your church. You have the ability to get your church informed about ACEs through the study. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions. Rene
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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: Confused
Hi Ed... I see Roxanna made reference to something I have written previously on this site, and I really like Rene Howitt's Bible Study "Family: It's complicated." I think you can search this site for other posts I have written... most about how to communicate ACEs and trauma-affected research to church communities. I have written a curriculum for churches that want to seriously consider becoming a trauma-informed faith community, but it sounds like you are interested in just the "first date"...
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Re: Silent No More
I am in the process of starting ACES women and youth groups at our church in California. Can you tell me more about your ACE OVERCOMERS.
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Re: ACE Overcomers Faith-Based Curriculum
Hi, I'm glad to hear about what you're doing with the ACE study. I'm a minister for Healing and Healthy Environments- I see the Healthy Environments as related to Trauma Informed Care and the Healing as related to Traumatic Incident Reduction. I'd love to learn more about how you are working with churches. I have been consulting with churches in the past about abuse prevention and intervention and more recently using Trauma Informed Care as a lens to help groups develop policy and trauma...
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Re: ACE Overcomers Faith-Based Curriculum
I would love to see this implemented in a setting in Washington State. Please feel free to reach out to me if you are aware of any group or church in WA that is implementing.
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Re: ACE Overcomers Faith-Based Curriculum
Northwest Baptist Church of Port Orchard, Everette Rescue Mission, and Christian Aid Center of Walla Walla are using the ACE Overcomers faith-based curriculum. Additional ministries in Wash, Idaho, MT, and OR will soon begin the curriculum as I will soon schedule a 2 day Instructor's Training in the Spokane- Coeur d'Alene area. Please tell me how I can assist you in beginning an ACE Overcomers program in your area. Dave Lockridge Executive Director ACE Overcomers PO Box 457 Atwater, CA 95301...
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Re: Trauma-informed churches
Thanks. I think it sums it up. Docs need to be involved (but there are definitely times when we aren't going to see the kids in the most danger). Kids who are being traumatized have generally speaking two places where they will be seen -- at school and in the church. They may not come to the church but the church can always come to them. My family did not go to church except when I went to catholic mass with my grandpa. My siblings and I were also sent to bible study at a small local...
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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: TICongregationsLinear Plan2.docx
Thanks Jane. I'll check it out. I just did a Trauma-Informed Church workshop for children's ministers last week for the CMConnect conference. For the most part the children's ministers that came to my workshop had no idea about what a trauma-informed church was all about. They really didn't even know how to devise a list of traumatic events in children other than the child abuse, sexual abuse and homeless. I was floored. We have so much work to do. Here is one guy's conference notes on my...
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Thank you for such an insightful article. I wish every teacher, child care worker and church leader would read this post. You have explained what is happening in that child's brain very well. Why can't we as a nation figure this out?
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Thank you so much Linda ! Your concluding question is probably the most important thing we do not "see".... Frustrating. I don't get much response even in the church.... Thanks for your support. It only takes one right message in one right place at the right time ! Peace
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
I understand about the church issue. I am constantly doing workshops and seminars for children's pastors and for the most part they are clueless. And church family could make such a difference in the lives of these kids. I know because we see this in our DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) groups. I wish you could be a fly on the wall of a DC4K group. Oh my the healing and changes that take place in these kids in such a short time is amazing. The power of prayer plus the program written to...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Thanks for this post Chris. I also agree with what you've written. If what you've captured is the essence of the phrase 'trauma-informed,' Then I think we need to go one step further in ministry and that is to make available options for traumatized congregants to receive healing. Options such as Linda Jacobs is offering at her church. For Christian church communities, this is an opportunity for people too experience the healing balm of Jesus Christ. So, yes, people in faith communities and...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
The following was in this month's church newsletter. "... "... Many years ago one of my parishioners came to see me because he could not shake a nagging feeling of anxiety and depression. Through the pastoral counseling process I also discovered that he had a heart condition. As I asked him questions to better understand what had happened in his life that could have triggered such physical and emotional symptoms he revealed that his mother had left his family on Christmas Eve as a child. He...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
I am the author of "Chained No More...A Journey of Healing for Adult Children of Divorce/Childhood Brokenness ." I did not grow up in a horribly dysfunctional home, did not divorce, or have divorced parents. I did not suffer from abuse, although I had other issues growing up in a pastor's home. It used to be that we all kept our "family business" private, so never really discussed it, nor did we heal from it, so we took it forward into our adult lives. Churches proclaimed the gospel and gave...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Love it, Robyn! I share your passion. Of what I wrote, here's where I feel the crux of the matter lies... moving from advocacy for to advocacy with and empowerment of those with past (and present) trauma: Empowerment, voice and choice : Are those that are ministered to also given opportunity and empowered to minister within the church, understanding that they bring value and wisdom to the worshipping community? Are they fully integrated into the life of the church and given a voice for...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Yes, Chris. That is the next step for someone who has found healing. They have lived through trauma and damage, so, in my belief, they are highly qualified to move forward and "use their pain for good." We find in our participants, that after finding that healing, they then feel much more worthy and accepted wherever they go, including the church. Concerning Chained No More participants, we sometimes have them come in and observe the next set of classes, share a little of their journey of...
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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: Trauma informed and responsive SDA Congregations
Augusta, I just came across your post. I, too, am interested in church-based Trauma Ministry. My dearest SDA friend is the musician, Kelly Mowrer. Do you know Kelly? I’d like to learn more about your interest in church-based trauma care and where you’d like to go with it. Looking forward to hearing from you. Blessings!
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Re: Presenting to my congregation
Hi Dale, thank you so much for sharing your PowerPoint. I have been talking to my pastor and church and I am preparing to help my church become trauma-informed. I'm creating resources online, so would appreciate anything ya'll have gathered. Thanks, Beth@moorewellness.life P.S. I saw your question about neuroplasticity and I have some information if you'd like to use any of it for future teachings. Brain Plasticity Neural Growth Derives from exposure to new experiences and stimuli Allows for...
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Re: Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery (7-pages).pdf
Thanks for forwarding this article/document. The ELCA has also officially repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. We are working on getting this info to our church members.
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Re: Healing the Inner Child, part 3
I would love to join this conversation and hear the blog talk radio but I'll be traveling and don't know if I'll have access to a computer. In my church I run DivorceCare, GriefShare and teach a single parent Bible study class. I also created and developed DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K.org) and I know how trauma affects these kids. DC4K has been out for 10 years this summer and we have seen changed lives because of it. We now have young adults who went through DC4K and they are having better...