CCC 27-3

PASTORAL CARE

Ministering to Trauma Survivors in the Church

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Michelle Keener, Ph.D.

Trauma has become a prominent topic of conversation in recent years. The language of trauma has entered the vernacular of our culture, from TikTok © to talk shows. The discussion around trauma has, rightfully, found its way into the Church. Some trauma survivors are seeking support and guidance from their church commu nity, and some survivors are publicly sharing their stories of suffering trau ma within the Church. As stories of

abuse of all kinds are being told and wounds are being brought into the light, knowing how to minister to trauma survivors in the Church is more important than ever. So how do we, as pastors, church leaders, and believers, respond to trauma survivors in a healthy, healing, and biblical way? How do we equip churches to minister to trauma survivors effectively and without causing additional damage? How do we meet people in the ashes of their pain and point them to God’s transformative and redeeming presence? This article will suggest three practical steps church leaders can take to create a welcoming, healing, and encouraging place for trauma survivors based on Judith Herman’s landmark work on the three stages of healing from trauma. 1 I have adapted these three stages of healing in my work on trauma and the book of Job. 2

26 Christian Counseling Connection