Understanding Trauma: A Biblical Introduction for Church Care

by Steve Midgley

Guidance for churches on how to walk with wisdom and compassion alongside those who are struggling with trauma.Many of us long to serve and be there for those who are suffering from trauma, but we don't know how to do so in a way that is caring and helpful.

This book enables Christians, and especially pastors, elders, and ministry leaders, to understand what trauma is and how it affects people, including their experience of church, so that we can lovingly support those who are suffering from it.

Author Steve Midgley trained as a psychiatrist before being ordained, served as Vicar of Christ Church Cambridge for 18 years and is now the Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK. He writes with wisdom and compassion to summarize current understanding in this area, gives a biblical perspective, and makes lots of practical suggestions about how churches can be sensitive to, and be there for, those who have experienced trauma.

This book will help whole church communities to help and care for those who are struggling with trauma.

Genres: Christian, Counselling, Psychology

192 pages

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very good. Quite light-touch but therefore accessible for all in the church. A must-read for Christians seeking to love broken people.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Steve Midgley has previously contributed to the co-written book Mental Health and Your Church: A Handbook for Biblical Care, and this book is a helpful follow-up. This book focuses specifically on trauma, and the first section of the book explains what trauma is like for sufferers and how trauma connects with biblical teachings. Midgley shows that even though the word 'trauma' is not in the Bible, the concept certainly is, and that the Bible has helpful resources for traumatized people, as well as the church leaders and caring friends who want to help them. Midgley also shares fictional case studies to show ways that people with different types of trauma might struggle to engage with church.

The second part explores what our current medical understanding of trauma is, and how this connects with biblical teaching. Midgley highlights the significance of how trauma impacts relationships, and he writes about ways that the church can come alongside sufferers and help them through caring, compassionate relationships. The final section explores ways that churches can help trauma sufferers, both through thoughtful and considered elements of worship services, and through community life. Midgley also warns readers about common pitfalls, raising awareness about ways that churches often fail sufferers and hurt them more.

This book is a straightforward, helpful guide for ministry leaders and church members who want to better understand how trauma affects people, and how they can help. The writing is clear and easy to understand, and the author did a wonderful job of covering a lot of trauma-related topics at a high level. He is never too vague, and he also avoids overwhelming the reader with too much information. This is a very helpful, wise book that I would recommend to Christians who are interested in learning more about the subject.

I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rob Seabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the particular focus on helping us as churches to understand how trauma can affect individuals, this is a practical resource that will help us to see how we can support sufferers.
It is especially ideal for pastors, elders, leaders and those in ministry, as it will help them to understand what trauma is and how it affects people, including their experience of church, so that we can lovingly support them.
The author, Dr Steve Midgley, trained as a psychiatrist before later being ordained and serving as a vicar, as well as being an experienced Counsellor, allowing him to offer both a professional and a Biblical perspective on the topic.
I often remind myself that everyone has a story, a set of experiences and circumstances that have led to them being the person they are today. The important thing for them to know is that the person they are, warts and all, is known and loved by God. Our role as the church is to reflect that love and wholly accept them, whilst doing all we can to help, heal, nurture and build them up.
The church is in a privileged situation to help people who suffer with trauma. The Church is relational, a community where individuals can rediscover their identity in Christ, know their value and be accepted for who they are. Churches are places of fellowship and community, environments where people can find genuine acceptance without judgement. Or they should be. They need to be.
This book is very much an introduction to the topic, showing how the church can be wholly accepting and able to put in place some practical measures to support those who are experiencing the effects of trauma.
See more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/

[Jon Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book. "Trauma" has become the word of the decade. Christians and pastors need to understand trauma and how to care for people who are struggling as a result of traumatic experiences.

Midgley correctly warns about concept creep with "trauma." At one point "trauma" referred only to serious injuries or the experiences soldiers faced during and after intense combat. Now people refer to an unexpected rain shower as a "traumatic" event.

However, Midgley also correctly explains that many people have gone through experiences in life that have impacted their bodies, brains, and relationships. People may use the word "trauma" to explain how these situations have impacted them. And the church needs to be able and prepared to care for these people effectively.

Again, Midgley acknowledges that everyone with traumatic experiences will have varying levels in which they have been impacted by their traumatic experiences. And Midgley warns against people constantly talking about their experiences as "trauma" or "my trauma." Trauma cannot become an excuse for sin.

The church can more effectively help people who suffer this way by learning more about trauma and how it impacts people. This book is a helpful resource to this end.

[Alastair Gooderham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightfully and carefully Steve Midgley walks us through his book seeing to help pastors and the church more generally to understand trauma. I found the section on how the church ought to respond to trauma with compassion with concrete worked through examples especially helpful.

Steve is not seeking to equip the church to be the answer but to play our part in compassionately connecting people with Christ through sensitivity, awareness which will make us churches of compassion and gospel truth.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian book. I felt like the author was balanced when it came to research. He points out that there is still a lot to learn. While it is geared toward practitioners and other helpers, I found it helpful pertaining to general info, too.

[Emily Booher · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the point, biblical, hopeful, good insights.

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC