Tagged With "Pastor Chris Haughee"

THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO BE A HEALING PRESENCE IN THE WORLD. But the reality is that the world is filled with so much suffering, so much pain, and so much suffering that it can be overwhelming to a church and its leaders. Where do we begin? What happens if we get in over our heads? These are all real and important questions. THE BEST WAY FOR THE CHURCH TO BE THIS HEALING PRESENCE IN THE WORLD IS TO LEARN THE REALITIES OF THE SUFFERING THAT IS ALL AROUND THEM, BOTH OUTSIDE THE CHURCH AND...

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...

Don't know how many of you may have watched the new Resilience film on Sunday, April 10 but I did and it brought to my mind several ideas on how to further the work and awareness on the ACES issue. In a previous blog post here, Linda Jacobs appropriately addressed the importance of having trauma-informed churches . Reverend Streets has written a piece about the importance of engaging in trauma-informed ministry . So, I got to thinking that since so many, perhaps all, of the ACEs are trauma...

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

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...

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...

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...

Dale, As part of my doctorate of ministry work I have been engaged in this discussion with the fine folks at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. My specific ministry project that will be the basis of my thesis is to collaboratively write a trauma-informed VBS curriculum. I am also hoping to collaborate with ChildWise, an organization built around ACEs education in Helena, MT about how we could have a faith-based breakout session during a Fall Conference they are planning on Resilience.

Thanks for the mention of the post on trauma -informed churches that I wrote. I can't wrap my mind around why ministers and seminaries are not engaging in this conversation and training their people. I too believe that early trauma is trauma to the spirit and the heart. Churches could do so much to soothe the trauma the little ones are experiencing. I see this all the time in my DC4K, DivorceCare for Kids, group. Just last night in my group 2 little girls really opened up. They laid it all...

Amen! hope you are part of the Trauma Informed Congregations Community of Practice. If not, email me at Kimberly.konkel@hhs.gov and I will add you. We are working now on regional trainings, but would love to engage with all of you. I'm super bummed, I messed up my registration and missed seeing the film! I'm hoping to get another chance soon.

That said, Wesley Theological Seminary partners with my office (Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships) and is exploring just this thing. I really think we need to have a meeting where we can all explore what this training would look like. I'd be happy to host in DC!

Most people will have prior existing traumas. Sometimes, these are triggered by authority figures (e.g., ministers), regardless of the authority figure’s intention. Sometimes, these traumas are triggered when interpersonal or organizational boundaries are confusing. In addition, sometimes the trauma that individuals carry are directly related to religious or spiritual abuse. Not surprisingly, authority figures and structures that highlight authority will frequently be questioned, attacked,...

Thanks for the comment Jaime and your commitment to make a difference. Let's see what kind of momentum we can develop on this issue! ~ Dale

Hi Kimberly, no, I am not a member. Is this a different Group here on the ACES Connection or a separate community elsewhere?

Dale, it is a group managed by the US Dept of Health and Human Services. We meet monthly via a webinar/conference call. Please send me an email. I'd love to add you, and everyone in this group, to our Community of Practice.

Kimberly, I'd be interested also. I'll email you. My work has been with children's ministers and I speak at several national children's minister's conferences. They get concerned when a child's behavior is out of control. They get concerned when there are bruises. They get concerned when a child is leaning toward suicide and makes it known. I've been working with churches for over 10 years and I feel like I'm saying the same thing over and over but no one is really listening. I've given out...

Hi Kimberly, I'd like to be a part of the Community of Practice group as well, and would appreciate being added. I work as a chaplain in a large regional hospital, and am also involved in bringing ACE presentations to local churches and faith-based organizations. I have presented on ACEs and theology/pastoral care at one local seminary/school of theology, and would like to do more. I believe this education is critical. Thanks! Amie Schumacher

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...

Highly recommend Pastor Haughee's "Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks!"