Share:

In the latest episode of the Believe Again podcast, powered by Parable Bookkeeping and Accounting, hosts Josh and Amy Roberie tackle an increasingly important topic in ministry: trauma. Joined by Dr. Andy Yarbrough, a licensed psychologist and co-founder of The Well Clinic, the episode explores how trauma impacts individuals in our congregations and how churches can take a trauma-informed approach to ministry.

Why Trauma-Informed Ministry Matters

Dr. Yarbrough emphasizes that trauma is not just an event from the past—it affects how people see themselves, God, and the world around them. Understanding trauma-informed ministry is crucial for helping people find healing and hope through Christ. Trauma-informed ministry isn’t just about treating symptoms; it's about seeing the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—and walking with them in their healing journey.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is any experience that disrupts a person’s sense of safety and stability, impacting their emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational well-being. It could be a sudden event, like a car accident, or ongoing experiences like childhood neglect or abuse. These experiences disintegrate our sense of identity, which is why trauma-informed ministry focuses on integrating health and wholeness back into a person's life.

Dr. Yarbrough explains that trauma affects key parts of the brain, leading to hypervigilance, fragmented memories, and dysregulated emotions. Many people live in a constant state of “fight, flight, or freeze,” which can manifest as erratic behavior, avoidance, or even aggression.

How Can Churches Respond?

  1. Educate Yourself – One of the first steps pastors and leaders can take is to educate themselves on trauma. Understanding the impact of trauma on behavior can help leaders be more compassionate and effective in their discipleship.
  2. Practice Presence – Being present with people in their pain is a ministry in itself. Trauma-informed ministry doesn’t just preach solutions; it walks with people through their healing process, validating their feelings and creating safe spaces.
  3. Self-Leadership – Leaders must also do their own inner work. As Dr. Yarbrough points out, you can’t lead others through healing if you haven’t taken the time to understand your own trauma and emotional health.
  4. Foster a Culture of Curiosity – Instead of judging behavior, trauma-informed leaders ask, “What has this person been through?” This mindset shift can lead to breakthroughs in helping individuals heal and grow.

A Call for Holistic Discipleship

At its core, trauma-informed ministry aligns with the holistic view of salvation that includes spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Yarbrough reminds us that sanctification is an ongoing process of becoming whole, and trauma-informed care is one of the ways we can support that journey.

Holistic discipleship focuses not just on orthodoxy (right belief) or orthopraxy (right actions), but also orthopathy (right feelings). By addressing all three aspects, churches can help individuals heal from the inside out, allowing the love and power of Christ to transform every part of their lives.

Don’t Miss This Episode!

To dive deeper into the topic of trauma-informed ministry, listen to the full episode with Dr. Andy Yarbrough on the Believe Again podcast. Available on:

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a friend who might benefit from these important insights.

For more updates and inspiration, follow us on Instagram at @believeagain.co. And a special thank you to our sponsor, Parable Bookkeeping and Accounting, who helps place every dollar on mission, telling the story of His kingdom. Learn more at liveyourparable.com and receive 25% off your onboarding fees when you mention Believe Again.

‍

Until next time, keep believing and leading strong!