Our Programs

SERVICES

Trauma Ministry provides several levels of trainings for Churches wanting to develop a ministry to the significant number of survivors of trauma, abuse, and neglect in their pews and in the communities they serve.

One to three hour training giving an overview of Trauma Ministry
One day training that covers the four basic components of Trauma Ministry
Three day weekend training to launch Trauma Ministry
Follow up training events to assess progress and implementation of Trauma Ministry
Periodic updates and continuing education in advanced skills for Trauma Ministry
Custom designed trainings requested by Churches for their Trauma Ministry.

TRAINING OPTIONS

Trauma Ministry will provide these training events to a group of Churches at the same time to include smaller congregations or an association of Churches to train together.

1-3 Hour
In a one to three hour Trauma Informed Ministry training event participants will be introduced to the crisis in trauma, abuse, and neglect in America today. Included with be a brief overview of our approach to this urgently needed ministry and what a congregation will need to do to launch a Trauma Informed Ministry.
1 Day
In a one day Trauma Informed Ministry training event, expect a six to eight hour time frame. Over the course of the day participants will be introduced to what trauma is, how to recognize its symptoms, and how to respond to the presented needs of the survivors. A theology of Trauma Informed Ministry will be presented with a focus on developing a relationship with God that informs the work of this Ministry.Also participants will learn the need for self-care in this Ministry and some practices to prevent burnout, secondary trauma, or compassion fatigue. A hallmark of Trauma Informed Ministry’s is Story Listening. Participants will be introduced to this powerful listening skill.
3 Day
The Three Day Weekend Trauma Informed Ministry is an intensive training for the launch of the Ministry by a congregation. Training sessions will begin on Friday evening followed by a full day on Saturday of 6-8 hours, completed with a half day Sunday afternoon. This training will be the basic requirement for launching this Ministry at the Church and will expand on the four parts of the Ministry, including deeper training in Story Listening.

FOLLOW UP TRAINING

Trauma Ministry is a dynamic and demanding ministry. Questions will arise from initial experiences reaching out to survivors of trauma, abuse, and neglect that have been engaged by the Church’s Ministry. Periodic follow up trainings for feedback, questions, and ongoing professional development will be provided in a variety of formats including half day, full day, and multiple days depending on the needs of the Ministry.

ONGOING TRAINING EVENTS

A Trauma Ministry will require periodic check-ups and additional skills, knowledge, and insights into the workings of trauma.

These will include the latest research-based findings in ministering to these survivors and advanced skills and practices of Story Listening.

TRAUMA HEALING GROUPS

Trauma Ministry is authorized by the American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Institute to offer Trauma Healing Groups. Using Scriptures, prayer, and a supportive Christian setting, participants are led through a research-based proven set of modules that lead to healing from a variety of traumatic events.

Contact me for more information how to schedule a Trauma Ministry or Story Listening Training Event for your congregation.

______

ERNEST IZARD PHD

Phone:
214.477.5875

E-Mail:
ernest@traumaministry.net
_______

TRAINING EXPECTATIONS

Trauma Ministry will require that the pastor of the Church involved in each training event we offer to be present and fully participating in the training. Experience has taught us that if the pastoral leadership is not present, follow-through either does not happen or the success of the Ministry is severely hampered.

COMMITMENT

Trauma Ministry is a serious faith-based response to a serious evil in our culture. We require a serious commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and honesty. Each Church involved in the trainings we offer must have fully vetted each person, noting their sense of call to this Ministry and certifying that none of the participants are current perpetrators of trauma, abuse or neglect, nor have they been justifiably accused and/or convicted of an act against another person that constituted trauma, abuse or neglect.