Traumatized Church

A compassionate and practical framework to address the wounds of trauma and learn how to develop churches as trauma-informed spaces. Whether you're a pastor, counselor, church leader, or someone who has been hurt by the church, Traumatized Church—written jointly by New Testament scholar Scot McKnight and therapist Adrienne Gibson—will help you on the road to healing and understanding. Diving deeply into the realities of trauma—how it impacts individuals, communities, and ministries—Traumatized Church pairs theological insights with counseling expertise to guide readers through the four R's of trauma care: Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist. McKnight examines the life of the apostle Paul and his complex relationship with the Corinthian church, offering biblical wisdom from Paul's life that helps us shape a renewed response to trauma within the church today. Gibson relates stories of real experiences, practical advice, and scripturally grounded therapy insights to encourage a Kingdom-minded approach to community, rooted in love and restoration rather than re-traumatization. From understanding the symptoms of trauma in today's church members to providing actionable steps to foster safety, trust, support, collaboration, and empowerment, this book creates a roadmap for healing. If you're ready to transform your understanding of trauma and begin building spaces of redemption, Traumatized Church is an essential resource for your ministry or personal growth. Together, we can create churches that reflect Christ's healing and compassion.