Trauma-Informed Care in Church Worship and Life
This topic showcase highlights resources to help churches use trauma-informed practices in church worship and congregational life. Faith communities are more effective when they become more aware of adverse childhood experiences, collective trauma, and other tragedy.
March 24, 2020
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11 min read
LaTonya McIver Penny on Worship with Differently Abled People
Churches decide to include people with disabilities when they realize God sees us all as equals and all as differently abled. LaTonya McIver Penny advocates for inclusive worship, especially in African American congregations.
February 25, 2020
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8 min read
Janice McLean-Farrell on a Pastoral Approach to Research
Congregations often want to get information from members and neighbors. They can learn how to do so pastorally by considering how scholars do academic research using human subjects. Scholars follow ethical standards to gain data while doing no harm.
January 8, 2020
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8 min read
Leopoldo A. Sánchez M. on Sculptor Spirit
It is impossible to become more like Jesus on your own. A new book offers five ways to recognize how the same Spirit who worked in Jesus’ life can shape us to be more Christlike.
December 10, 2019
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8 min read
When Local Churches Learn and Worship Together
Four congregations in Durham, North Carolina, discovered that planning worship, learning, and reflecting together helped them be better witnesses in their East Durham neighborhood.
November 26, 2019
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8 min read
Tim Shapiro on How Your Congregation Learns
Many congregations suspect they need to change but don’t know how. Tim Shapiro’s book describes eight steps that healthy congregations can take to learn together. These learning journey stages have parallels to elements of Christian worship.
November 12, 2019
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5 min read
Trauma-Informed Worship: Address Trauma to Begin Healing
Most pastors realize that people come to church with deep fears, sorrows, and concerns that often remain unexpressed in worship. But because Mount Aery Baptist Church has worked to become a trauma-informed congregation, its worship services are becoming a communal place of healing.
November 12, 2019
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8 min read
Mandy Smith on The Vulnerable Pastor
Christian leaders, especially pastors, sometimes feel bad about the gap between their ideal of Christlike ministry and the reality. Pastor Mandy Smith explains that honestly accepting vulnerabilities and human limitations makes room for God’s strength to be revealed in people and congregations.
November 5, 2019
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5 min read
Seven Self-Care Tips for Clergy Who Engage Trauma
Clergy and other church leaders called to engage trauma must also practice self-care, or they will burn out and be less effective in helping those who need to address and heal from trauma. These tips help congregants as well, relieving pressure on clergy and church leaders.
October 30, 2019
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9 min read
Sherrye Willis and Angela Johnson on Faith-Based Healing from Trauma
Ten African American churches in Texas are focusing on helping youth understand and heal from trauma. This knowledge helps adults become more aware of their own trauma and is changing worship practices.
October 15, 2019
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7 min read
Trauma-Informed Congregations and Worship: Being Made Whole
Becoming a trauma-informed congregation means helping people learn, talk, and grieve about what happened to them. Worship can provide a safe space for people to nurture trusting relationships and accept God's healing grace.
October 2, 2019
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10 min read
Teacher-Scholars awarded Vital Worship Grants for 2019 by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship announced today that it will fund 14 grants to Teacher-Scholars for 2019-2020 as part of its Vital Worship Grants Program.
November 30, 2018
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2 min read
