What is Trauma and Why Should the Church Care?

The term "trauma" has been widely used, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. But what does it mean? Trauma refers to a real or perceived threat to your life, well-being, or the safety of someone you love.

Imagine yourself as a 7-year-old child. You and your siblings are asleep in your room when you hear a commotion from the next room. It's not unusual — there's often yelling, partying, or noise coming from there. But this time, things are different. A woman, accompanied by a police officer, tells you to gather your things because you're leaving your home. The home where you feel comfortable, even though things may not always be "right." The home where your parents live. You're placed in a car and driven away, unsure where you're going or when you'll see your family again. This is how a child might begin their journey into foster care.

Now, imagine being placed with strangers. Everything is unfamiliar — the toys, the food, even the smells. But the family is kind, and you start to feel a little "safe" with them. Then, one Sunday, they take you to church, a place you've never been. Your foster mom walks you in, and it's bright. There's loud music and kids who seem to know each other and belong. But everything feels strange, and when your foster mom leaves, it doesn't feel safe. Without the words to express your feelings, you might shut down, act out, or try to be the class clown just to cope. The Sunday School teacher doesn't know how to handle the situation, and what was meant to be a comforting experience ends in a stressful, chaotic day for everyone involved.

This is trauma. This child, and many others like them, have likely experienced trauma before being placed into foster care — whether through neglect, hunger, or worse.

We often hear or read about these stories and recognize the pain, but what can we do?

As the Church, we are called to care for children in distress. God has a special place in His heart for these children, and He asks us to "care for the orphan… in their distress." (James 1:27). I think we can all agree that what this child is experiencing qualifies as distress don't you?

So, what can you, the Church,  do to make a foster child feel safe when they're with you for just an hour on Sundays?

One of the most important things you can do is provide your staff and volunteers with trauma-informed training. This training can go a long way in helping children and families feel safe and accepted so they can eventually feel loved by their church community.

Project 1.27 offers a FREE on-site Trauma-Informed Training Class. This two-hour session explains how trauma affects the brain and behavior. It helps volunteers understand what a child might be going through and how they can respond in a supportive way. We conclude the training by sharing 16 "Connection Toolbox" strategies to help children feel safe, accepted, and connected.

If you would like Project 1.27 to come to your church and provide training for your staff and volunteers on better supporting children who have experienced trauma, please contact Kym Schnittker at [email protected].

Kym Schnittker, Community Engagement and Events Manager