Libsyn Directory

Theology and Trauma: Spiritual Hurt and the Need for Trauma-Informed Churches

Release Date: 09/29/2023

How Joyful Generosity Is Changing the Way We Give

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What if giving could be joyful instead of guilt-driven? In this episode, Jamie Goodwin, professor at Wheaton College, shares how her background in global churches, journalism, and teaching led her to a deeper view of generosity. We talk about practical ways to give—like giving circles and hybrid nonprofit models—that engage communities and reflect diverse cultures.

The Future of Foreign Aid

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What’s on the horizon for foreign aid and humanitarian response strategies, especially in light of ongoing funding cuts to foreign aid around the world?

NGO Strategy and Leadership: 10 Steps of Crisis Management

The Better Samaritan Podcast

Veteran humanitarian leader Roger Sandberg joins us to discuss how NGOs can lead effectively in the midst of funding cuts and uncertainty. As political shifts tighten budgets, the gap between global needs and available resources continues to widen. Roger shares practical strategies for assessing risk, strengthening communication within teams, and re-imagining sources of funding.

Faith, Resilience, and the Realities of Humanitarian Work

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when humanitarian work collides with political upheaval and shifting policies?

How Funding Cuts Are Impacting Anti-Trafficking Efforts With Rev. Dr. Sandra Morgan

The Better Samaritan Podcast

How do federal and foreign aid cuts impact anti-trafficking work, both directly and indirectly?

Compassion and Complexity: Evangelicals on Government and Humanitarian Aid

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when churches, governments, and communities work together across differences in opinion for the common good? In this episode, Dr. Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, joins us to talk about how different parts of the evangelical church are responding to shifts in humanitarian aid and funding, and why these varied responses matter.

Beyond Charity: Rev. Eugene Cho on Faith, Advocacy, and Fighting Global Hunger

The Better Samaritan Podcast

How do advocacy and policy help combat child hunger and malnutrition, both in the U.S. and around the world? In this episode, Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, joins us to talk about what’s needed to tackle food insecurity around the world, what’s working, what’s not, and why surface-level solutions won’t cut it.

What Happens When Foreign Aid Gets Cut? Lessons from the Front Lines

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when humanitarian aid gets pulled, but the needs don’t stop? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Beth Stuebing, a missionary surgeon in Malawi with the Christian Health Service Corps. She shares what it’s like on the front lines of healthcare when funding disappears—and why faith-based organizations working on the ground can’t do it alone.

Faith in Action: How Students Are Advocating for Global Health and Justice

The Better Samaritan Podcast

What happens when college students decide to take action on global issues?

Inside PEPFAR: What’s at Stake and How Churches Can Engage

The Better Samaritan Podcast

This episode, we talk with Jenny Dyer, founder of the 2030 Collaborative, about her involvement raising awareness for HIV/AIDS - from working with Bono and the ONE Campaign to championing global health in Washington and beyond.

More Episodes

In this episode, we talk with Preston Hill, assistant professor of integrative theology at Richmont Graduate University, about theology and trauma. Preston's insights challenge us to rethink our understanding of trauma, moving away from viewing it simply as suffering. This important, timely conversation includes a discussion of spiritual hurt and the often painful reality of trauma within church communities.

As we delve into the characteristics of trauma-informed churches, Preston emphasizes prioritizing the safety of people over protecting the church's image. Our conversation highlights the pivotal roles of listening, believing, empowering, and restoring in creating trauma-informed communities.

Join us for a thoughtful exploration of trauma, theology, and the healing process.

Preston Hill Bio-

Preston Hill is an Assistant Professor of Integrative Theology at Richmont Graduate University. He’s also a Clinical Pastoral Therapist in private practice and an Anglican priest-in-training. As a practical theologian and practicing therapist, Preston’s research, teaching, and clinical work engages themes related to theology and mental health. His theological work has engaged the Reformed tradition, science-engaged theology, and topics including suffering, theodicy, atonement, trauma, and spirituality. He’s the author of Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Churches and the upcoming Christ and Trauma: Theology East of Eden. In addition, Preston has edited the volume Trauma Theology: Perspectives on Christ & Wounds That Remain, which is due to be published in 2024.

Resources:

Preston’s website

Previous episode: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Church

Free downloadable toolkit: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Church Action Plan

Spiritual First Aid (includes a module on “Becoming a Trauma-Informed Church, Community, or Organization”)

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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative for the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.

Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance

Follow on Instagram: @wildfirecreativeco

Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll have Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to do better involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction—especially in our blind spots.

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