introduction to crisis response crtc 501 module 550… · when god doesn't make sense audio ....

Introduction to Crisis Response 1

Light University Online

Introduction to Crisis Response

CRTC 501

Module 5



Module Five

Table of Contents

Ambassador of Faith and Ministry of Presence Charlie Davidson, M.Div., D.D. .................................................................................................................................. 3

Theology of Suffering and the Crisis of Faith Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min. ...................................................................................................................................... 8

When God Doesn't Make Sense Ed Hindson, Th.M., D.Phil. ...................................................................................................................................... 12

SPIRITUAL & THEOLOGICAL

PERSPECTIVES ON CRISIS



Description In this lesson, retired Air Force chaplain, Charlie Davidson, outlines the importance of a ministry of presence, where the counselor serves as an immediate representative of God in a crisis situation.

Learning Objectives:

1. To develop a deeper understanding of key terms of chaplaincy in crisis response.

2. Learn how to provide a ministry of presence and how to best spiritually

prepare for a that work in disaster response.

Ambassador of Faith and Ministry of

Presence

VIDEO

Charlie Davidson, M.Div., D.D.



Introduction A ministry of presence is something that any Christian can provide to those suffering and in crisis. All a person must do is be present as a representative of God. Though the task is uncomplicated, it is not necessarily easy. There are many instructions that a caregiver must follow in order to best serve others.

Concepts 1. Working Definitions

a. Chaplain b. Counselor c. Volunteer

2. History of Chaplaincy

a. In every war, the clergy, or chaplaincy, played roles of assistance to troops. b. Chaplains have had many jobs throughout history, all have provided some form of care giving.

3. What is Crisis?

a. An emotional, stressful event, or a dramatic change in a person’s life.

4. Real Ministry of Presence

a. You are there to represent God and remind the suffering of His presence. b. You offer spiritual and religious support and guidance.



c. You set the standard of moral and ethical behavior, including honoring the dead. d. Rites, sacraments, and ordinances might be asked of you; your training and beliefs should mandate your behavior here. e. Family ministry f. Institutional ministry g. Professional support of your team h. Pastoral care i. Assessment

5. Getting Ready to Go

a. Be a leader AND a follower. b. Get out of the way when issues are above your head. c. Research everything that you can about a ministry of presence. d. Make a detailed packing list.

6. Do’s and Don’ts of the Caregiver

a. Know your key leaders. b. Identify yourself to victims. c. Learn how to provide ministry of presence. d. Seek key information from victims. e. Write down essential facts. f. Have empathy and show compassion. g. Don’t give false hope.



h. Provide encouragement in a tactful way. i. Help victims to the next step. j. Practice triage. k. Take time at the end of your day to relax and share your own story with someone. l. Check in and out with your command center. m. Never go alone. n. Don’t leave without proper equipment. o. Don’t break rules. p. Don’t go beyond your training.

Conclusion A great way for any Christian to provide for those in crisis is by conducting a ministry of presence. Being present and listening to the stories of trauma victims is invaluable in crisis. Conducting yourself as a representative of God’s love and hope is difficult but highly rewarding.



Further Consideration 1. Why is it so important to be prepared before entering crisis situations? 2. What should your reaction be when you are approached by victims who want to tell their story? 3. What is the importance of personal safety in a crisis situation?



Description This lesson is designed to help the student better understand the biblical nature of suffering and how it can lead to a crisis of faith.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the concept of a theology of suffering including the biblical reasons why humans suffer.

2. Be able to explain how suffering can create a crisis of faith.

Theology of Suffering and the Crisis of

Faith

VIDEO

Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.



Introduction How do people feel and think about suffering? There are always at least two people involved in the counseling or intervention process and how both parties feel about suffering will affect the progress they make together. A crisis of faith is when you feel like God has abandoned you in some way.

Definitions

1. Comfort Chain- God’s plan to create suffering in us for the purpose of developing our ability to comfort others who face the same type of suffering.

Concepts 1. Anyone Can Experience a Crisis of Faith

a. Jesus in Gethsemane b. Job in his struggles c. Many Christians operate under the theory that people who suffer must be undergoing God’s punishment for their transgressions, but few go deeper into the more complicated biblical reasons behind suffering.

2. Biblical Suffering

a. Suffering IS a consequence of the sin that entered the world with Adam and Eve. This is only one reason for suffering. b. Pride is another reason that humans suffer. Suffering is a thorn placed in our side that should remind us that God’s grace is sufficient for us. c. Suffering can be a form of discipline for sin and is directly related to our choices.



d. Often, suffering is not a direct result of our actions but a consequence of the great cosmic battle between God and Satan. This is directly illustrated by the story of Job. e. God also uses suffering to break us free from our obsession with worldly things. He arranges our lives with care to accomplish his purposes. f. Suffering can also be directly related to the victim’s family of origin. God in His fullness is more committed to saving people than in insuring the happiness and security of His followers. g. Our suffering can also have the purpose of filling up that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

3. What Can We Do with Our Theology of Suffering?

a. Do not come as “Answer Persons”; the time immediately after a trauma is not the right time for a theological lesson about the biblical reasons for suffering. b. See yourselves in the crisis situation as a presence; your duty is to be the presence of God’s grace and love, not to say the perfect thing or to quote the perfect passage. c. Be a source of acceptance; never confront or rebuke someone who is verbalizing their confusion about God or their situation. d. Be a source of affirmation; help victims understand that God values them no matter what kind of guilt they might feel. e. Be a vessel of encouragement; bring hope to their situation in a meaningful and sensitive way; use scriptural metaphor to build hopefulness.



f. Connect them with others who have endured similar situations to theirs, utilize God’s comfort chain.

Conclusion Suffering has many origins, it is a very complicated issue. All suffering has a purpose in God’s great plan. To understand suffering in a biblical sense is important for crisis responders, but we must be careful how we use this information. Sticking with the victims of trauma and being a presence of God’s grace and love is the most important thing to remember; it is, as Christians, our unique gift to those who suffer.

Further Consideration 1. Why are Christians so apt to believe that by loving God, they will not face suffering? 2. Why are some of the biblical reasons for suffering so hard for us to swallow? 3. How can we inject hope into the lives of someone undergoing incredible suffering?



Description In this lesson, noted Bible teacher Ed Hindson describes and gives examples of how God uses disaster to speak to His people and to win others to Him. He emphasizes that God is more powerful than crisis and can use it to his advantage.

Learning Objectives: This lesson is intended to provide the student with an informative overview of this material. The material will not be part of the testing for this module, but will be integral in a discussion forum.

When God Doesn't Make Sense

AUDIO

Ed Hindson, Th.M., D.Phil.



Introduction What do we do when God appears not to make sense? The struggles that our country deals with today present many “teachable moments” for God’s people to take advantage of. We can be a source of answers and guidance for those who are lost and confused.

Concepts 1. Luke 13

a. Jesus points out that when disaster strikes, it presents us with an opportunity to be thankful for our own lives and blessings. b. Death is a reality of life; tragedy gives us perspective to look at our own lives and evaluate our spiritual condition. c. God often uses the unexpected to turn people to Him. d. God can overrule the worst of circumstances to bring about a revival in the hearts of people. e. God has a way of getting our attention.



2. Matthew 24 a. Jesus points out that God’s concerns are about people and not beautiful buildings. b. God dwells, not in a temple or church, but in the hearts of people. c. God’s purposes are being accomplished even when we cannot comprehend or sense it. d. When Jesus’ disciples questioned him, Jesus warned them that they should not be troubled by crisis and disaster because it was not yet the end of the age. e. Our hope should lie in God, not in a church building or a denomination.

Conclusion Disaster makes the reality clear to us that life is short and eternity is real. Our relationship with God is the only thing that is eternal in our lives; everything else is temporary.



Further Consideration 1. Why is it that God prefers to speak to us in a whisper? 2. How can we, as believers, be a source of hope to the lost in a time of crisis?

Additional Reading The Popular Bible Prophecy Workbook: An Interactive Guide to Understanding the End Times by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson God is There in Tough Times: Turning Your Disappointments into Hope by Ed Hindson The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy: Over 150 Topics from the World’s Foremost Prophecy Experts by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson

introduction to crisis response crtc 501 module 550… · when god doesn't make sense audio ....

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