This Saturday I will be attending and presenting Cairn University’s Faith in Practice conference hosted by their counseling center and department (free but you need to register). I will be speaking about how we can make the church a safer place for adult victims of abuse and trauma. If you want to peak at the slides, click here: 2016 Cairn U Presentation.
The presentation that I will do will only be one hour so that limits what I can do. What I wish I could do is also talk much more about the systemic factors that make churches less safe places for vulnerable people. While we can all grow in better understanding the nature of trauma and how to walk alongside victims, our institutions can be systematically harmful, even when the individuals within the system have no intention to hurt others. Thus we need to keep examining the ways our systems operate that can be toxic to some. While this presentation doesn’t cover these questions, it can be good to ask,
- How do we handle recent or older allegations of mis-handling difficult cases?
- How do we handle allegations of child abuse (the victims, the family, the alleged perpetrator and family, and congregation)?
- Are we a safe place for people who are broken and not all tidied up?
- Does our system allow for ongoing lament? (Corporate and individual)?
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Heavy lifting is not for the weak and perhaps the church’s weakness is shying away from reality. Churches live in heaven and their feet on the ground are worn. Often people speak in private and every church needs a counseling room. Those capable need to rise up for the good of all. Silence affects as much as noise.
After viewing your slides, I am curious if after this presentation it might be possible to access transcripts or a podcast of your full presentation?