Healing from church hurt is often a painful journey. Here are a few resources to encourage and support you as you walk toward healing, as well as resources for churches who are looking to implement preventative measures.

  1. Trauma Healing Institute — Founded by the American Bible Institute, the Trauma Healing Institute equips individuals, churches and communities to be part of God’s healing process for those experiencing trauma by sharing the life-changing message of Scripture.
  2. Church Cares — Church Cares offers a training curriculum that includes a handbook, an introductory video and 12 lesson videos that bring together top experts from various fields to help leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling a variety of abuse scenarios at church, school or within ministry.
  3. “The Resilient Pastor” by Glenn Packiam — “The Resilient Pastor” aims to give pastors much needed energy for a new season of ministry and will give other Christians an inside look at a pastor’s desire to be a faithful shepherd in the midst of our turbulent world.
  4. Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention — ECAP seeks to support Christian ministries in child protection and abuse prevention through awareness, accreditation and resources.
  5. Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment — G.R.A.C.E. provides education and training to churches and faith organizations to effectively navigate and appropriately care for those who have been impacted by abuse.
  6. Guidepost Solutions — Guidepost Solutions assist institutions, including faith-based organizations, in taking proactive, preventive steps to enhance integrity and compliance and improve institutional safety and security.
  7. Diane Langberg — Diane Langberg is a psychologist and international speaker working with trauma survivors, caregivers and clergy around the world. She has authored several books, including “Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church,” and has a list of recommended resources on her website.
  8. “Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse” by Steven Tracy and Celestia Tracy — This book provides a well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse and the means of healing. Just as surely as abusive relationships have tremendous power to wound the soul, so healthy relationships have tremendous power to nurture and heal the soul.