Risking Connection in Faith Communities: A Training Curriculum for Faith Leaders Supporting Trauma Survivors

This newest book in Sidran Institute s Risking Connection® training curriculum series focuses on the healing role that clergy of all denominations can play in the lives of trauma survivors in their congregations. As many as one in four of the people you encounter may have been deeply wounded by life experiences. When we informally surveyed clergy, we learned that many were not confident in their ability to support trauma survivors in congregational settings. This book will help clergy understand the nature of psychological trauma, how it affects people, and how faith leaders can help. Because the book is addressed to spiritual leaders, particular attention is paid to the spiritual impact of trauma. This curriculum explains the effects of trauma focuses on the need for growth-promoting relationships explores the connection between trauma and spiritual distress recognizes the value of spirituality in recovery addresses the impact of trauma on the helper looks at how faith communities can promote healing The curriculum (which can be used by an individual or as part of a workshop or continuing pastoral education), does not attempt to turn clergy into therapists. Rather, the material helps clergy learn about growth-promoting relationships. It teaches how to access and more productively use the internal resources we have and to enhance those resources through greater self-awareness. Although it focuses on support for survivors of interpersonal trauma, it also speaks to the issues related to care in the wake of any type of trauma. Because this curriculum is intended to be useful to clergy of the major religions and denominations in the United States, the authors have attempted to ensure that all theological perspectives are confined to illustrative use in sidebar examples. Whether serving as a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam, religious or lay leader, you are a crucial resource to your community. This book will better equip you to support the needs of trauma survivors in your midst.