Understanding Trauma

Wise and compassionate guidance for you and your church on how to support people who have suffered trauma.

Many of us long to serve and be there for those who are suffering from trauma, but we don't know how to do so in a way that is caring and helpful.

This book enables Christians, and especially pastors, elders, and ministry leaders, to understand what trauma is and how it affects people, including their experience of church, so that we can lovingly support those who are suffering from it.

Author Steve Midgley trained as a psychiatrist before being ordained, served as Vicar of Christ Church Cambridge for 18 years and is now the Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK. He writes with wisdom and compassion to summarize current understanding in this area, gives a biblical perspective, and makes lots of practical suggestions about how churches can be sensitive to, and be there for, those who have experienced trauma.

This audiobook will help whole church communities to help and care for those who are struggling with trauma.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Introduction
4. SECTION 1: Seeing Trauma in Scripture and Life
5. Chapter 1: Trauma in the Bible
6. Chapter 2: What is Trauma?
7. Chapter 3: Encountering Trauma
8. Chapter 4: Trauma and Church
9. Chapter 5: Jesus and Trauma
10. SECTION 2: Contemporary Thinking and Biblical Perspectives
11. Section 2: Introduction
12. Chapter 6: How Trauma is Understood Today
13. Chapter 7: Trauma and Memory
14. Chapter 8: Trauma and the Body
15. Chapter 9: Trauma and Relationships
16. SECTION 3: Responding with Compassion in the Local Church
17. Section 3: Introduction
18. Chapter 10: A Thoughtful Welcome
19. Chapter 11: Conversations about Trauma
20. Chapter 12: Trauma and Lament
21. Chapter 13: Trauma and Beauty
22. Chapter 14: Trauma and the Hope of Jesus Christ
23. Chapter 15: Churches that Care Well
24. Appendix: Concerning Being “Trauma Aware”, Concept Creep, and Contrary Voices
25. Closing Credits