This event is sponsored by The Synod of Lakes & Prairies and The Ministry Lab.

People are hurting. How can church leaders be present in a different way—a trauma-informed way—to those who are significantly struggling?

LeaderWise facilitators will equip congregational leaders—pastors, faith formation leaders, staff and volunteers—in taking a trauma-informed approach to their ministry, so that they may provide safe care and connection to those in their congregation and community. 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. A trauma-informed approach is necessary now more than ever as the times we have lived through, and are living in now, are stirring up strong emotions and deep trauma in those we are serving.

The series is comprised of 4 workshops; the first workshop will be 3 hours (1:00 - 4:00 Central), and each of the next three will be 2 hours (1:00 - 3:00 Central).

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 (1:00-4:00 PM CT)
Trauma-Informed Ministry as Leaders in Your Parish – Caroline Burke, Ph.D., LP

• This workshop will take a deep dive into the necessity of trauma-informed ministry within our congregations.

• There will be 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.

• Goals:

  (1) realizing the prevalence of trauma – especially with the pandemic

  (2) recognizing how trauma affects all individuals in the church (self and other and community)

  (3) responding as leaders with trauma-informed care

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 (1:00-3:00 PM CT)
Religion, the Bible, and Spiritual Trauma – Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 (1:00-3:00 PM CT)
Trauma and Grief – Joanna Quanbeck, Ph.D., LP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (1:00-3:00 PM CT)
Trauma and Intersectional Identities – Rev. Laura Beth Buchleiter

Registration is for all four workshops: $75/members; $100/non-members