Trauma in the Pews: The Impact on Faith and Spiritual Practices

Does trauma happen in church? Of course it does! Not only is trauma inflicted by religious experiences, but it can also remain unaddressed because we don't understand it and we don't know what to do about it.In my opinion, a big problem is bypassing, because it makes us feel uncomfortable and we don't know what to do. This book will help you with that. If you're one that has chosen to stay in organized religion, it is a must that you're a trauma informed and trauma responsive or you're just going to make it worse.Karl Forehand, co-author of Out into the Desert and Leaning Forward.

If you desire to restore the Church as the place healing can be found, instead of the myriad of other places people are looking, this is, without a doubt, the book you need.As a pastor's kid and a pastor's wife, spending most of my life "in the pews," this is the book my life has been writing. Now, as a mental health coach and grad student working to become a trauma therapist, this is the book I can confidently say every pastor, ministry leader, and Christian must read in order to truly understand HOW to offer hope and healing in today's world.As you read, you'll quickly begin to understand why some of the Church's approaches have inadvertently sent the exact opposite message from hope and healing. With Dr. McConnaughey's words, you'll no longer have to wonder why so-n-so can't be "counted on," why some struggle to attend prayer meeting, or why so many seem to be "unfaithful" to meet your/your church's standards of discipleship. Clinically speaking, this book offers application to the spiritual world from what we know to be true from the past decade plus of brain science and research. There is no other book currently out there that combines the wealth of expert trauma information available with application to spiritual practices found in God's Word.Equally important to me is a resource that doesn't bash the Church, but instead honors Her as the Bride She is and helps support ministry leaders to do the best they can by helping them understand what's happening underneath the surface of people's behaviors. This book also provides this "We need you, Church" message, and for that, I'm grateful.Your congregation members are counting on you - please serve and love them well by reading this book, encouraging others in ministry to do the same, and then learning how to apply some of these principles. It isn't rocket-science-It's learning to love others in the same manner Jesus did. Truly, lives untold are waiting...

This book is such an important voice in the groundswell of those calling on churches to do a better job of ministering to those who have suffered trauma. As one with my own story of trauma, I read Trauma in the Pews with a sense of being seen and understood. So many of the ways I wasn't able to engage with the spiritual disciplines that my church said were necessary for growth were mentioned here, and I finally had a way of sharing with my pastors the things I couldn't put into words myself. This book is a gift to church leaders who desire to minister effectively to those who have suffered, and it's a gift to those of us who suffer. It helps us understand why we struggle in the ways we do. Read this book for yourself, and then gift a copy to your pastor or other religious leader!

McConnaughey takes an in-depth look at how trauma can impede upon our spiritual growth. Those who struggle to engage certain practices like prayer, meditation, and silence may not be doing so because they are obstinate and defiant, but rather because they have experienced trauma that may connect to varying spiritual exercises. For example, silence in the home growing up may have been due to the controlling behavior of a parent – "Keep your mouth shut and do as I say, or else!" Thus, practicing silence now, in order to listen to God, can trigger frightening, traumatic memories from the person's childhood. With that, part of spiritual growth may include psychological healing to open opportunities to practice historic spiritual exercises. I recommend leaders definitely read this book, but it will be helpful for all to begin to learn about such an important subject.

Trauma In The Pews is a must read for ministry leaders, therapists, and anyone who has been wounded by the church or religion. I am a licensed therapist, who has experienced my own religious trauma, and I hear this subject brought up repeatedly by many of my clients, so there is a great need for healing in this area. I plan on specializing in religious trauma, and this book is helping me to provide the support and validation that my clients deserve.Janyne gives a simple but thorough explanation of how churches can become trauma-informed and not further traumatize people. The main focus of her book is how sin is not at the heart of people's misunderstood behavior but rather unaddressed trauma is, and ministry leaders can begin to recognize and address the hidden unmet needs of their church members. Religious trauma is not widely recognized or understood, but this book will help many to identify its effects and more importantly to heal.Lisa Floyd, MA, NCC, LMHCA

Dr.Janyne bravely unwraps a tricky subject that has been veiled far too long. As a trauma survivor and a past church staff member, I’m so grateful for “Trauma in the Pews” that breaks the silence and stigma, and provides an educational springboard for Christian leadership.When leaders shepherd with this kind of compassion, those with trauma backgrounds find a release from shame, and can begin healing and knowing God’s unconditional love!I found the structure of the book especially helpful! Divided into sections, “Trauma in the Pews” progresses through recognizing trauma impact, acknowledging it, and effective practices for church leaders. Each chapter ends with heart-searching application questions. Dr.McConnaughey wraps up with an appendix full of helpful teaching and excellent resources.Thank you Dr. McConnaughey for your brave and timely words. My prayer is that the Church will take them to heart and put them into practice.

This book provides a lot of understanding on the impact of trauma on faith and how we relate to others and to God because of this trauma. It provides a compassionate look at how trauma can hinder one's Christian walk but suggests ways to find and connect to God in the midst of it, ways that might not look like the traditional ways of connecting to God but are good ways nonetheless. It has been a really helpful book for me in my own journey and I have read and loved all Janyne's other books too. I wish all pastors and leaders in the church would read this book and develop a deeper understanding of this topic. It would go a long way to getting those in the church to grow and heal and find joy and peace in their walk with God. Even if you haven't been directly impacted by trauma, it is still well worth reading to help you be more compassionate and loving to those who have been through trauma (and there are a lot more people who have been through trauma than you realize).

In her 4th book, Dr. McConnaughey speaks directly about a tricky subject - how the church does or doesn't respond to those who have experienced trauma. It's powerful coming from some who has done the work toward healing. The tone is NOT church bashing, but rather, a straightforward look at what needs to change for people to understand and not hurt each other repeatedly.A must-read for ministry leaders.

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