Ministering in an Age of Trauma Conference

The purpose of this conference is to help ministry leaders (i.e., pastors, staff, ministry workers, small group and Bible study leaders, etc.) and those from other helping fields including mental health providers to better understand the mental health impacts of this last year, the past trauma that it is reactivating, and how best to minister to the mental health needs of those in their faith-communites. There will also be an emphasis on the personal trauma needs of leaders.

We will provide:

• Insight and recommendations from experienced trauma specialists in the field of psychotherapy.
• Perspectives and insightful considerations from childhood trauma survivors.
• Encouragement and guidance from pastors who are experiencing success through trauma-informed ministry.

Sanitizer, remote viewing options, and social distancing will be provided.

Please notice, if you were not aware already, that June 19th is a state holiday. 

Speakers & Topics 

Byron Kehler, M.S. Trauma Therapist

2020: This Won’t be Over When it’s Over

You experienced a trauma this last year, as did every other member of your congregation. For a few it was a new experience, but for most it reactivated old wounds that may have laid dormant for years. The psychological impact of trauma is profound and pervasive, and this shared trauma will have an impact on the health of the church for years to come. This collective trauma experience provides the church a rare opportunity to minister to the deepest of needs within our faith communities. In order to minister effectively to these present and past hurts we must have a trauma informed church leadership.

Danny Clinton, Lead Pastor, Kessid Church

Dragons and Dandelions: Learning to face struggles with vulnerability and curiosity

As church leaders, our communities need to see us be vulnerable (facing our dragons) as well as spend time in the weeds of everyday real life (dandelions) with people. Neither can be done without first entering these vulnerable, curious places within ourselves. This means we need to go both first and last, admitting how lonely, scary and breathtaking each step is along the way. Because wholeness is worth it. They are worth it. I am worth it.

Evie & Kevin Kent

What Trauma Survivors Need from the Church

Kevin and Evie Kent both grew up in the church, and both experienced childhood abuse that went unacknowledged and untended until adulthood.  In “What Survivor’s Need From the Church”, they share their personal and combined story of healing, what survivors of abuse need from the church, and the pivotal role our faith communities can take in supporting those with past trauma.

Cheryl Baker

Safe and Brave Spaces

What does a trauma-informed community look like? Is the church healing or hurting? Identifying pain points in your life can help you break free from anxiety, get unstuck, build deeper relationships and change unproductive life patterns. At Refuge, a transformational group through Imago Dei Community, we find healing in community through a transformative process of self-examination, sharing, encouragement and accountability.  In Refuge groups, we find trust, support, and accountability while walking with others who are experiencing similar life struggles.  We strive to be a safe place where our pain and our struggles are met by Christ’s love and grace.

Marc Alan Schelske

Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge: The Desperate need for a Hermeneutic of Emotions

Pastors all know that a person’s hermeneutic shapes what they see in scripture. The same thing is true for emotions. Many of our people are laboring under false views of emotions that are hurting them and damaging our churches. If we teach people that emotions are a God-given part of life, they will be able to experience their emotions without shame and fear, seek help when needed without stigma, and gain benefit of the God-given wisdom that is found in a life where emotions are integrated rather than avoided.

Dr. Ken Logan

Remembering How God Heals: Relational Attachment and Relevant Trauma Informed Care

There are more individuals who walk into church each week who have gone through significant trauma in their lives than you would ever imagine. When facing the inevitable reality of this in our church communities, we may end up being quite irrelevant in our caring. Sometimes we may even reinjure people in our attempt to help. The problem: A lack of knowledge and wisdom about trauma and how it impacts people and changes a person’s ability to relate to others. This talk aims at helping ministers and Christ followers become more trauma-informed, thus allowing the community of Christ to affirm and more relevantly contribute to the healing process of those seeking it.

Schedule

Doors open-- 8am

Welcome & Introductions-- 8:30am

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

12pm-- 60min off-campus Lunch Break Time is subject to change

Speaker 4

Speaker 5

Speaker 6

Q&A Speaker Panel

Conclusion-- 4:30pm

Tickets

$125/ticket (Early Bird Price $95 ends June 5th)

By Mail:

Garrison Counseling Services, LLC

800 Officers Row Suite B

Vancouver, WA 98661

Checks Payable to: Garrison Counseling Services

At the Door:

Check, paypal, creditcard

Email julia@garrisoncounselingservices.org with any questions

Attention Please

Garrison Counseling Services is (and continually will be) looking for Jesus-loving individuals who are established professionals in the field of psychology and who can speak from experience to underrepresented populations and individuals in our Portland/Vancouver area. It is a goal of GCS to lead mental health events that embrace a diverse speaking team to honor and positively impact the diversity in our local community and faith-communities. If this sounds like you please email Julia or if you know of someone please pass this information along.