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On Preaching: Embracing Trauma-Informed Preaching—Integrating Pastoral Care into the Sermon

Shavon Starling-Louis

Shavon Starling-Louis is past Co-Moderator of the 225th General Assembly (2022) and serves as campus minister at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.

In today’s world, our congregations are increasingly filled with individuals carrying heavy burdens. A 2020 Barna Group study found that only one in seven pastors feels “‘very’ well-equipped to help with trauma.”1 Yet we know the effects of personal trauma, societal unrest, and global crises enter into our sanctuaries through the hearts and minds of worshipers, therefore deeply impacting the way our communities experience faith and fellowship. As pastors and preachers, it is essential to recognize these realities and adapt our preaching to meet the needs of our congregants. Trauma-informed preaching, which integrates pastoral care into the sermon, offers a compassionate and effective approach to addressing these challenges. Here I offer an introduction to several faithful and healing resources that can guide and inspire fellow preachers on our journeys.

Embracing Sacred Self-Care

Before delving into the specifics of trauma-informed preaching, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of self-care for pastors. Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves by Chanequa Walker-Barnes is an indispensable resource for preachers who seek to sustain their well-being while ministering to others. Walker-Barnes emphasizes the necessity of self-care as a spiritual practice, encouraging faith leaders to nurture their own mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This book offers practical guidance for daily practices that promote holistic wellness, ensuring that pastors can continue to serve their congregations effectively without succumbing to burnout. By prioritizing self-care, preachers are better equipped to offer trauma-informed pastoral care to their congregants.

Books to Guide Trauma-Informed Preaching

Trauma and Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World by Serene Jones serves as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of trauma and theology. Jones offers profound insights into how grace operates in a world broken by trauma, making it an essential read for any preacher seeking to address the wounds within their congregation. By framing trauma through the lens of grace, Jones equips preachers with theological depth to support their congregants’ healing processes.

Carolyn B. Helsel’s book Preaching about Racism: A Guide for Faith Leaders tackles the pervasive trauma of systemic racism. While focused on racism, the book incorporates trauma-informed perspectives, providing strategies for addressing sensitive topics with empathy and understanding. Helsel’s work encourages preachers to engage deeply with the societal traumas affecting their congregants, fostering an environment where healing and justice can flourish.

In The Preaching Life by Barbara Brown Taylor, readers find an exploration of the preacher’s role that, while not exclusively about trauma, offers invaluable insights into compassionate and empathetic preaching. Taylor’s reflections on the vulnerabilities and strengths of both preacher and congregant remind us of the profound impact our words can have in times of distress.

Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah addresses how to preach lament and justice in response to societal trauma. Rah’s book is a powerful resource for those seeking to incorporate themes of lamentation and justice into their sermons, providing a biblical and theological framework for addressing communal grief and advocating for social change.

Articles and Journals: Practical Approaches to Trauma-Informed Preaching

Kate Bruce’s article “Preaching in Times of Trauma: Learning on the Journey” offers valuable insights for trauma-informed preaching during crises. Emphasizing theological grounding, empathy, and adaptability, Bruce suggests using creative methods like podcasts to deliver intimate messages. She underscores the importance of lament and resilience, encouraging preachers to maintain spiritual support and connection with their congregations. This resource helps preachers adapt their approach to effectively address the needs of their community during traumatic times.2

“The Pastoral Church as a Space for Healing and Reconciliation” by C. H. Thesnaar provides a profound resource for preachers addressing times of crisis as a worshiping community. The author delves into the identity crisis in pastoral care, emphasizing the need for a theology rooted in systematic theology to support pastoral counseling effectively. The article explores the challenges of creating safe spaces within congregations for healing and reconciliation, drawing from experiences of healing workshops addressing post-apartheid trauma in South Africa.3 It underscores the importance of compassion and the congregation’s role as a supportive community. This makes it a blessing for preachers seeking to offer meaningful guidance and support during crises.

Online Resources for Continued Learning

The Allender Center (theallendercenter.org) is a premier resource offering extensive materials and training on trauma-informed care, including aspects related to preaching and ministry. Their resources help preachers understand the dynamics of trauma and provide guidance on how to create sermons that offer solace and support to those affected by it.

The FaithTrust Institute (faithtrustinstitute.org) provides educational resources and training on trauma-informed practices within faith communities. Their offerings include webinars, articles, and training programs designed to equip faith leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to address trauma sensitively and effectively in their sermons.

Training Programs and Workshops: Hands-On Engagement within the Broader Community 

The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) offers training programs and resources that can be adapted for use in preaching and pastoral care. Their comprehensive approach helps faith leaders develop a deep understanding of trauma and its impacts, ensuring that their sermons and ministry practices are informed and compassionate.

Workshops on trauma-informed leadership are also highly relevant for preachers and available from The Narrative Enneagram. These workshops provide insights into how trauma affects leadership and offer strategies for creating sermons that are both empowering and healing.

The Blessings of Trauma-Informed Preaching

Developing trauma-informed preaching practices and integrating pastoral care into the sermon offer numerous benefits for both the congregation and the preacher. For the congregation, trauma-informed preaching provides a sense of validation and understanding, acknowledging their pain and offering a path towards healing. It creates a safe space where individuals can feel seen and heard, fostering a sense of community and support.

For the preacher, adopting a trauma-informed approach deepens the pastoral relationship with the congregation. It encourages a greater empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by congregants, enhancing the effectiveness of the ministry. Moreover, it aligns the sermon with the core Christian values of compassion, healing, and justice.

In a world fraught with tension and suffering, trauma-informed preaching stands as a beacon of hope and healing. The resources mentioned above can help preachers develop sermons that not only address the spiritual needs of their congregations but also offer the pastoral care necessary to navigate the complexities of trauma. This integrated approach transforms the sermon into a powerful tool for fostering resilience, community, and faith in times of crisis.

Notes

1. Barna Group, “Do Pastors Feel Well-Equipped to Help Congregants Heal from Trauma?”  August 4, 2020, https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-trauma-care/.

2. Kate Bruce, “Preaching in Times of Trauma: Learning on the Journey,” College of Preachers, September 3, 2020, https://www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/articles/2020/1-october/features/preaching-in-times-of-trauma-learning-on-the-journey/.

3. C. H. Thesnaar, “The Pastoral Church as a Space for Healing and Reconciliation,” Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 51, no. 3 (September 2010): 266–273, https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/37400687.pdf.

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