Trauma and Congregations: The Importance of Trauma Sensitivity in Local Religious Congregations

Abstract

Local congregations are vital resources within communities. They serve an important function in the lives of community members and especially those who have experienced trauma. This article examines current literature about the interaction between faith communities and trauma, the reasons why it is valuable for local congregations to understand trauma, and the role that faith and congregations can have in helping individuals who have experienced trauma. Rather than focusing on the role of faith in the healing of trauma (which is a separate area of study), this article focuses on the importance of positively creating congregational systems to be mindful of those who have experienced trauma. There is a significant gap in the current literature on how congregations can be trauma sensitive