Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters: A Guide for Pastors and Congregations after Violence and Trauma

by Laurie Kraus, David Holyan, Bruce Wismer

Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters is a must-read handbook for pastors and church leaders of communities who could or perhaps already have experienced an un-natural disaster, such as gun violence, suicides, or sexual abuse.

Unlike natural disasters, un-natural disasters deal with the concept of sin and require a different recovery strategy. In this book, readers will explore the four phases of human-caused disaster -- Devastation and Heroism, Disillusionment, Reforming, and Wisdom -- and receive step-by-step suggestions to use with their faith community during the recovery process. Example worship resources, including prayers, music suggestions, and sermons that are appropriate to use during periods of trauma and recovery, are included.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2017

About the author

Laurie Kraus is the Associate Mission Director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She is a teaching elder with more than thirty years of pastoral experience and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional.

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great resourch but I hope I do not need

[Joshua Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to read. It helped name my experience and my congregations. We recently experienced threats of gun violence and this has helped me to frame what is going on.