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" type interactions with pastors and church leaders regarding ACEs and how they affect ministry? If so, I think I would start with some sort of "felt need" within the community and work with partners engaged in that work to see if the root of those issues raised don't have some beginning point in ACE-affected individuals... if you can make the case to pastors that learning about ACEs and trauma-informed interventions will help them better communicate the good news they are hoping to spread in their communities, I think you'll have an easier "sell" once it comes to any sort of formal exploration.

Blessings and welcome to the tribe! You are in good company.

Chris

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 training for counselors and leaders. You can visit my website at www.TraumaEducation.com . I'd love to be of any assistance I can to you and your church!

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

Thanks for all of your insight! Learned a lot! Thanks for supporting me in this journey!

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 is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. An event, circumstance or series of events that are traumatic leaves lasting effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. It is as much about the person’s internal processing of a stressful and difficult situation as it

is about the circumstance that results in the trauma. What might traumatize one individual deeply might not as dramatically affect another.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the concept of a trauma-informed approach would mean that “a program, organization, churches or systems that are trauma- informed:

1. Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;
2. Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in, families, staff, and others involved with the church;
3. Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and
4. Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.”

A trauma-informed approach can be implemented in any type of service setting or organization, including churches and para-church ministries, and is distinct from trauma-specific interventions or treatments that are designed specifically to address the consequences of trauma and to facilitate healing, like Intermountain. SAMHSA also prescribes the following six key principles of a trauma- informed approach to service. They are:

1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
3. Peer support
4. Collaboration and mutuality
5. Empowerment, voice and choice
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

From SAMHSA’s perspective, it is critical to promote the linkage to recovery and resilience for those individuals and families impacted by trauma. This makes sense, doesn’t it? It is one thing to recognize when someone in your church or ministry setting has deep woundedness. It is something entirely different to equip yourself and your ministry team to be able to bring healing and hope to that individual or family system.

So, should you and your ministry be interested in exploring becoming “trauma-informed,” here are some points of connection I see between the 4-point definition of a trauma informed approach above, as well as a proposed ministry definition of the 6 key points. First, we will reframe the definition within the context of ministry.

A Trauma-Informed Ministry intentionally shapes a culture within their worshipping community that:

1. Realizes the widespread impact of trauma–those deeply distressing and emotional experiences that leave lasting effects–and provides practical ministry interventions as well as support for ongoing mental health interventions.

 Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in the children, youth, men and women it ministers to as well as the effects that living with a traumatized individual has on all relationships–marriage, family, work, and social.

1. Responds to the need within its worshipping community and the needs of its ``neighbors by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into church and ministry ``policies, procedures, and ministry practices.
2. Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization that can occur when appropriate ``recognition and intervention is not wed with compassion and a commitment to ``stabilizing relationships and supportive structures that destigmatize mental health ``issues.

 Intrigued? Here are some questions for ministry that address the needed six key principles to atrauma- informed approach:

1. Safety: Not just physical safety, but emotional and relational safety as well. Is there structure in place that allows for vulnerable people to feel included and protected within the worshipping community?
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency: Is authenticity a characteristic valued `highly within your community of faith? Do those in ministry leadership appear as broken people in need of God’s grace, just as those they minister to? Are confidences kept?
3. Peer support: Does the church go beyond being friendly to being a place someone can make friendships? Can a traumatized person find a listening ear and a welcome with others that are walking the same road to recovery, grace, and love of self and others? Can this happen both in large group and small group settings? Are ministry leaders modeling self-care through their personal practices?
4. Collaboration and mutuality: Does the church view its ministry to victimized people, traumatized individuals, and vulnerable children as integral to its call to Kingdom work for God or is it simply a niche ministry? Can the church work with others, even across ideological and denominational lines, for the betterment of hurting people?
5. 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 self-advocacy as well as outreach and mission?
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Does the church recognize the unique cultural issues sometimes bound up with trauma? Within the context of what has defined your worshipping community, is there room for the expression of faith and practice in ways that honor the unique cultural, historical, and gender backgrounds of those you seek to serve?

Theses six-principles mirror the structure and language of SAMHSA’s definitions and guidelines so that a church hoping to become “trauma-informed” can speak the same language as those in the educational, mental health, medical or other fields also working to be trauma-informed. Purposefully seek out those within your church who can connect you to resources and expertise outside the church. As you build those bridges to those outside the church, you will help your ministry strengthen and grow!

 Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks, 

 Chaplin Chris Haugee

Dave Lockridge posted:

https://2019.aceovercomers.org/

Oh, look at you!!! I'm delighted to discover your site, Dave. Thank you for sharing!!! 

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 and the need for psychiatric health care.

If you are interested, you can visit my site, where I discuss these issues and the impact they had on my faith and confidence in God. He has healed and restored me to Himself, and now He is working on helping me find a church family who is willing to learn more about ACEs recovery. 

It's typically a long hard road to wholeness for those with high ACE scores, but as children of God, we don't walk that road alone.  I appreciate your willingness to reach out, and to help enlighten others!!!  

www.TougherThanOurACEs.com

https://aceovercomers.org/

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