In 2016, on the "old" ACEsConnection site, I posed the question: Was Jesus' ministry trauma-Informed? What resulted was a definition for a trauma-informed ministry that has been used and cited by others (based on the SAMHSA guidelines for a trauma-informed organization), a post that has been viewed over 4,000 times (LINK) and a curriculum that I wrote as part of my doctoral program at Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon: Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks. It is an eight-week Bible study for the Christian faith community that helps believers explore the topics of trauma-informed ministry in a format familiar to most church settings.
Once upon a time, I had thought that God would lead my ministry into more teaching, training, and writing projects... but a pandemic happened as well as the needs to attend to my own trauma-affected family members (and myself!). I have found myself ministering part-time to a small congregation in Eastern Washington State and that has given me the opportunity to revisit the topics that so drew me in seven years ago. The result is a short six-week sermon series based on the curriculum and the passages I visit within that study. The production value is what you might expect from a small church setting that is interested more in investing in mission and outreach than in audio/visual equipment. Still, the message is as powerful (I believe) as what first connected with individuals on this site back in 2016 in a written form. Perhaps you will find some encouragement from this and would be willing to share it with others?
This is the second message in the series... focusing on the role of advocacy in the Church.
Blessings, Pastor Chris Haughee
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