Creating a Culture of Restoration
Is your church trauma-informed? Being trauma informed has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but what does that actually mean? A trauma informed church is one that understands the ways in which trauma impacts the individuals in its congregation as well as the congregation as a whole and is able to use that knowledge to make decisions that move towards restoration. There are two components to becoming trauma informed: understanding the impact of trauma upon your congregation and then using that knowledge to weave restoration into the entire life of your congregation. Today we are beginning an 8 part blog series to help you think through the second aspect of living as a trauma informed church. We want to help you begin to understand how you can create a culture of restoration within your faith community. Kevin Austin, the director of The Set Free Movement, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking, often says, “Do everything in the direction of freedom.” At Restor(y), we want to encourage you to do everything in the direction of restoration. As you do so, you will help your church live out what it means to be trauma-informed and in doing so will create a healthier church that is able to be an agent of hope to your community.
Do everything in the direction of restoration.
Creating a culture of restoration invites your congregation to remember that they serve the God of restoration while encouraging them to live into their own calling to be restorers. There is a passage of scripture that describes the people of God by calling them “Restorers of liveable streets” (Isaiah 58:12b). When a congregation is living as God has called it to live, it will be a community of restorers. This is not simply a task they are asked to complete, rather scripture makes it their very identity. It becomes their name. Is your congregation a community of restorers? Do they recognize a component of their identity to be “restorer of liveable streets?” The truth is this can only be their identity because they are made in the image of the God who restores all things. Do they know restoration to be a central component of God’s character? As a church leader, you can help your church be trauma informed simply by weaving these messages of restoration into the life of your church. You do not need another program, or a new ministry, rather, by intentionally using the existing rhythms of your church to remind your people of God’s desire to restore all things and their call to join him in that restoration, you can begin to form a culture of restoration. In this 8 part blog series, we’re going to provide you with suggestions on how to use the church calendar to help you seamlessly weave the message of restoration into the life of your church. By making small, intentional decisions throughout the year, you can move your church in the direction of restoration.
We pray this series is helpful and practical for you in your ministry. Next week we’ll do a deep dive into creating a culture of restoration during advent, so come with your favorite festive drink in hand as we discover how to do everything in the direction of restoration.
If you would like more resources for creating a culture of restoration, we invite you to check out our Liturgical Calendar Resource Kit. This downloadable kit includes 6 resources to be used throughout the church year to help you weave the message of restoration into the life of the church. The tools are easy to use and can be easily incorporated into what you are already doing. If you’re looking for an easy starting place to help your church become more trauma-informed and move in the direction of restoration this is for you!
