RESOURCES ON ABUSE AND TRAUMA

Most Recommended

Rachel Denhollander & Esau McCaulley – “Responding to Abuse in the Church“

An amazing conversation with a leading expert on abuse prevention and response in the church.

Wade Mullen – Something’s Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse—and Freeing Yourself From It’s Power

Explores the often subtle ways in which abuse manifests itself in the church and other leadership organizations, the common strategies abusive individuals use to avoid truth and accountability, and ways victims of abuse can begin to heal.

Chuck DeGroat – When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse

Explores the variety of ways narcissism shows up in church leaders and communities, how to recognize it, and how to respond in ways that bring health and flourishing.

Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer – A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing

Describes why so many churches fail to respond well when allegations of abuse arise, why abuse and abusive cultures are anathema to a good and holy God, and how forming a culture of goodness works against abuse and towards health.

Books: Abuse & the Church

Diane Langberg – Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church

Dr. Langberg shows why “the body of Christ desperately needs to understand the forms power takes, how it is abused, and how to respond to abuses of power.” A theological exploration of how power works, what happens when power is abused, and how power can be “redeemed and restored to its proper God-given place in relationships and institutions.”

Ruth Everhart – The #MeToo Reckoning: Facing the Church’s Complicity in Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

 When victims come forward about abuse in the church, they are far too often ignored, disbelieved, and blamed by their fellow Christians. “Pastor and survivor Ruth Everhart shines a light on the prevalence of sexual abuse and misconduct within faith communities… [and] offers hope to survivors as she declares that God is present with the violated and stands in solidarity with victim.”

Books: Understanding & Healing from Trauma

Aundi Kobler – Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy

A good introduction to what trauma is, how God made our nervous systems to function, and how to begin healing through compassion and gentleness, from a Christian mental health professional.

Diane Langberg – Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores

Is healing from trauma even possible, and how? Dr. Diane Langberg explores how the cross “is the lens that transforms and redeems traumatic suffering and its aftermath, not only for the sufferer, but it also transforms those who walk with the suffering. This Christian book will be a great help to anyone who loves, listens to, and seeks to help someone impacted by trauma and abuse.”

Peter Levine – Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma

“Normalizes the symptoms of trauma and the steps needed to heal them.” An introduction to the author’s body-centered approach to healing trauma.

Podcasts

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