Over at Biblical’s faculty blog I have a new post discussing top abuse prevention and response strategies. These are the most common strategies found in my students’ papers. There are certainly many more strategies and more detail to be had for each item, but for any church looking to review its preparation for an allegation, these five make a great place to start.
Category Archives: Biblical Seminary
Can your body make you sin? Post on www.biblical.edu
Over at the faculty blog at www.biblical.edu I have this first post of two on the topic of how our bodies influence our behavior. I raise two questions:
1. Can our bodies cause us to sin?
2. If so, are we responsible or culpable?
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Filed under biblical counseling, Biblical Seminary, counseling, Psychology
Do you know where you are going?
Sometimes we really want to know what lies ahead on the road of life. Other times we do not wish to know–especially griefs that would be too hard to bear before their time. Even Jesus struggled to bear the burden of the cross when he asked that the “cup” pass yet knowing that it would not.
Do we not sometimes present the Christian life as if we are certain what lies ahead (in this life)? Certainly institutions like denominations and seminaries act as if they have great certainty in their mission and vision for the future. Yet, God has ways in changing our outlook and plans. Check out my brief thoughts on the changes at Biblical over at the faculty blog at www.biblical.edu.
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Filed under Biblical Seminary, Uncategorized
Global Trauma Recovery Institute Launched! Dr. Langberg Joins Biblical Faculty
American Bible Society (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is my pleasure to announce that I and Biblical Seminary are the recipient of a sizeable grant to launch our new Global Trauma Recovery Institute–training for lay and professional recovery experts in the US and around the world. The grant (from an anonymous donor and the American Bible Society) funds the Seminary’s collaborative program with ABS to provide deeper training for those active in both trauma recovery efforts in the US or in training local facilitators in east/central Africa.
Why collaborate with a bible society?
ABS is involved in a trauma healing/scripture engagement project, focused in Africa but with other works going on around the world. This project has been under the work of ABS’ She’s My Sister initiative in the Congo. The bible societies were founded on bringing scripture to bear on the current issues of the time–specifically slavery. So, it make sense that ABS is interested in helping traumatized individuals recover from wounds by showing how God cares and is active in their recovery. Through connections with a few of my students, I and Diane Langberg have become co-chairs of the advisory council to the above-named initiative.
What does this mean for Biblical?
The generous grant will enable Biblical to do the following
- Commission a research study of the psycho-social impact of trauma in the African context
- in collaboration with Wheaton College’s Humanitarian Disaster Institute
- WHY? We need better understanding of the scope of the problem and what locally led interventions will be the most effective (both in terms of success and sustainability)
- Develop introductory and advanced global trauma recovery courses that enable MA and postgraduate students to develop specialization in training local trauma recovery facilitators here and around the world
- These courses will be delivered in a hybrid format starting late 2012; delivered in hybrid system (on-line and in-person)
- Mental health continuing education credit will be possible
- A hands-on practical experience under the direction myself and Dr. Langberg will be the capstone experience for students who complete the entire training
- Likely 2013 in an African context
- A website providing free and homestudy CE materials for those unable to come to the Philadelphia area
- Consultation groups formed for those seeking help with cases and projects in domestic and international trauma recovery
How is Dr. Langberg involved?
Dr. Diane Langberg is the leading Christian psychologist with expertise in trauma recovery. Her teaching has taken her to South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Her books on sexual abuse remain popular with both clinicians and victims. She joins Biblical Seminary as a Clinical Faculty member (clinical faculty are practitioners who also lecture and train) and will have a leadership role in the shaping and delivery of the curriculum and trainings. It is safe to say that the counseling department has been most influenced by Dr. Langberg’s training and supervision.
How can I find out about these courses and consultation groups?
Until we launch the institute website, the best way to keep yourself informed is to do one of the following: subscribe to this blog where I will be posting updates; keep checking with www.biblical.edu for more information, or email me at pmonroeATbiblicalDOTedu and I will put your name on a growing list of those who want to be on our mailing list.
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Summer counseling courses announced!
Biblical is offering 2 fantastic summer counseling courses for your consideration. In both classes, you will walk away with practical tools! Both classes are hybrid (meaning you have both online and in person portions) and can be taken for 1 or 2 credits or for continuing education. Click the attached PDF for more details: BIB-0112-BFINAL. The classes are:
One Session Coaching: Action Focused Change
Taught by Pam Smith, VP for Student Advancement and Coach
When? July 6-7 at Biblical Seminary: Who should take the course? Counselors and church leaders.
Abuse in the Church: Biblical, Legal, & Counseling Perspectives
Taught by my self and Boz Tchividjian (Liberty Law School, founder of GRACE, and a former child abuse prosecutor)
When? July 20-21 (at BranchCreek Church, Harleysville, PA) Who should take this course? Anyone who wants to see the church a safer place. Breakout sessions will focus on counselors and also church leaders.
Both courses are expected to fill up fast given their practical focus. Sign up ASAP by contacting either,
- Patsy Byrd (for new students): pbyrd@biblical.edu or 800.235.4021, x106
- Karen Mehlbaum (for returning students or CE participants): kmehlbaum@biblical.edu or 800.235.4021, x111
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What to do with Psalm 89?
Check out this blog entry from my colleague, Steve Taylor. Steve helps us consider what to make of the “unrebutted” charges against God found in Psalm 89. If you ever struggle with feeling that God has not kept his promises or struggled with what to do with OT passages that seem to charge God with failure to keep his promises…read this:
Jesus Redeems a Psalm: What a Difference “Christotelicity” Makes!.
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The Mission of God to the Mentally Ill: What Role Does the Church Play?
The Mission of God to the Mentally Ill: What Role Does the Church Play?.
Check out my blog on Biblical Seminary’s new faculty blog. Addresses the most frequent search terms and comments on this blog.
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Feting John Franke
Yesterday we feted John Franke, Professor of Missional Theology, for 18 years of service and to bless him as he begins his new life as theologian in Residence in a church in Allentown. John has been a colleague and a friend. I was asked to say a few words about his and instantly, 3 words came to mind:
tenacious. honest. compassionate.
John is tenacious for the pursuit of truth. He is also tenacious in an argument. I have had many with him (all friendly). Having a sparring partner like John causes one to stretch and consider new ideas. I am sure that I am a better teacher and thinker because of him.
John is not just tenacious in the realm of intellect. I have had the pleasure of playing against him in basketball, ping-pong, foosball, etc. My most favorite experience with John in this regard was on a pleasure trip with him where we took turns riding on a tube pulled by a boat. Each of us rode the tube by ourselves. After a few minutes, the driver of the boat did his magic to see if he could cause us to fall off. While I and another friend were soon bounced off, John hung on for dear life. Even when the tube flipped upside down, John tried to hang on despite being under water.
John is honest about what he thinks and believes. Sometimes that has cost him dearly when he failed to recite certain expected talking points, whether with colleagues or in the class room. You never worried that John thought one way but talked as if he thought another. If you asked John to share his opinion, he did so.
Now, honesty without compassion can turn into harshness. But, John has obvious compassion, especially for the downtrodden, the minority, the one with a weaker voice. In his teaching he would give opportunity for folks who had felt marginalized in evangelicalism to voice their concerns and interests. The only people who had to worry much about John were those who were themselves unwilling to extend a listening ear to those on the fringe.
We will certainly miss John’s voice and his playfulness on our faculty. But, we also know that God is calling him to a new ministry and so we send him on serve the local church and to continue to write for a larger audience.
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Filed under Biblical Seminary, Christianity, Doctrine/Theology
Introduction to Healing Trauma course
Starting July1 I will be teaching an on-line course, Healing Trauma in International Settings. Here’s the introductory video for students to watch during week one that tells what I plan to have them do during the course. Don’t worry, most of the course ISN’T watching me talk. You can see the full syllabus here.
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God Behaving Badly – InterVarsity Press
David Lamb, a colleague, as just published a book with InterVarsity Press entitled, God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist, and Racist? If you have found yourself asking or being asked this question, you might find this book a help. Dave doesn’t shirk from the questions that most find difficult to answer. Plus, the book is VERY easy to read. He interjects personal stories and funny media depictions of God in such a way as to illustrate his points (What do Bruce Almighty and Elijah have in common?) and does not use highly esoteric language found in some OT oriented books.
I believe you will be hooked right from his first question on page 1: “How does one reconcile the loving God of the Old Testament with the harsh God of the New Testament.” Don’t we usually ask this the other way around? You’ll see David has been thinking about these topics for some time.
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Filed under Biblical Reflection, Biblical Seminary, Uncategorized
Musings on Faith and Psychology 