What does it mean to be trauma-informed in ministry leadership?
With so many stressors—individual, systemic, global, political—facing our world at this time, people are hurting. The times we have been living through have stirred up strong emotions and deep trauma in those we serve. Attuned ministry leaders seek to be present to their communities in effective, responsive ways, and trauma-informed approach is necessary now more than ever.
What does it mean to be trauma-informed in ministry leadership? A trauma-informed approach involves being attuned to the ways in which a person's life context and lived experience may shape how they are able to receive care or to experience safety and connection. Over an upcoming workshop series, LeaderWise facilitators will equip congregational leaders—pastors, faith formation leaders, staff and volunteers—to provide safe care and connection to those in their congregation and community.
January 11: Dr. Caroline Burke, Licensed Psychologist, starts us off with discussion and learning on what trauma is and what it is not. There will be conversations about deep listening and being able to sense that someone has been or currently is experiencing trauma. We will learn ways of thoughtfully responding to those who may need emotional or spiritual care surrounding their experience of trauma, or assisting them in accessing additional support if needed. Participants can anticipate lively discussion about cultural trauma, historical trauma, and collective trauma.
January 18: In this session, Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter takes up the intersecting topic of religion, the Bible, and spiritual trauma. We will examine the potential impact of translations and interpretations of scripture on trauma survivors, and also the risk of desensitization or normalization of traumatizing topics through biblical stories. We also will explore the power dynamics that are inherent in religious culture and sacred texts. Participants will consider new ways to reframe our telling of biblical history through a trauma-aware lens.
January 25: Here Dr. Joanna Quanbeck, Licensed Psychologist, explores what it means to bring a trauma-informed approach to working with grief. Ministry leaders often have the privilege and challenge of being present to their congregants and communities walking through times of bereavement, loss, or change. While grief can be intensely difficult, it is not always traumatic. Yet at times, grief can indeed be experienced as trauma–especially if there are not enough internal or external resources to meet the intensity of the loss, or if a new loss brings earlier trauma to the surface. We will explore ways to steady the self while being present and responsive to another’s grief.
February 1: In our final session, Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter works with the topic of trauma and intersectional identities. Participants will explore and deepen their understanding of complex trauma, including recognizing how social location and oppression play an important role in complex individual and community trauma. The work of current expert voices in these fields—van der Kolk, Menakem, Methot—will anchor and enliven the conversation. Participants will learn ways to support themselves and others in responding to community trauma more effectively, including working with the body's natural resources to regulate the nervous system.
Visit this event site for more information and registration for this series, which is co-sponsored by The Ministry Lab and The Synod of Lakes & Prairies.
