Journal 2024

Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry:The Good Samaritan Way

Part 3: Crisis Response

by Jim Lewis

“It’s cancer.” 

“Suzanne was in an accident.” 

“There’s been a shooting.”  

“Johnny took his own life.”  

As a first responder for the last 15 years, news like this is “part of the job,” but I’ve also experienced EVERY ONE of these through my work in youth ministry. CRISIS HAPPENS! Even in a world where it seems more and more common, a crisis is always unexpected. As a trauma-informed ministry, how can we prepare to respond following a specific traumatic event? 

This article is the third of my series, “Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry, The Good Samaritan Way.” In BECOMING AWARE, I explored the roots of trauma and established the vital importance of compassionately recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma in those with whom we minister. The second article, CREATING SPACE, invited ministries to foster the values of safety and trust in a way that empowers students to embrace each person’s unique history, helping them experience the healing love of Christ.

WHAT IS A CRISIS?

According to the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), a crisis is “an unusually challenging event that has the potential to create significant human distress and interfere with one’s usual coping mechanisms.” In a crisis, three things typically happen: 

  • A person’s normal coping mechanisms fail.
  • Their usual balance between thinking and emotions is disturbed.
  • There is evidence of distress, impairment or dysfunction in those who are impacted.

Crisis response involves active and supportive entry into the life of those impacted, especially during the period of initial and most extreme distress. Many communities now have specially trained crisis response teams that can support people and groups experiencing crisis.

GOOD SAMARITAN CRISIS RESPONSE

As a member of several crisis response teams, it’s been powerful to see the connection between the models we use and the ministry of the Good Samaritan. These three verses about the Samaritan’s ministry are packed with crisis response wisdom!

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”  Luke 10:33-35 (emphasis added)

Let’s break this down into some practical steps that can help us be trauma-informed as we care for students experiencing a crisis. 

  • HE SAW HIM: Even before the Samaritan stopped, “he saw him.” Crisis response begins with the ministry of noticing the needs of those in crisis. 
  • HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION: To be compassionate means taking the time, effort and mental space to appreciate what someone is experiencing. Before the Samaritan even stopped to help the man, he was intentional about being observant and empathetic.
  • HE WENT TO HIM: The Samaritan takes action to go to the wounded man. Together, people can navigate incredible challenges that alone are often unbearable. In a crisis, when there is often no immediate fix, transforming power is experienced as people come alongside those impacted to carry the burden with them.
  • HE BANDAGED HIS WOUNDS: In crisis, there is rarely a quick fix, but there are things we can immediately do to stabilize a situation and provide some relief. If a person isn’t safe (physically, emotionally or spiritually), we can help get them to safety. If there are immediate needs, we can address them (bandaging a wound, providing food, water and clothing, or allowing a person to vent or cry). Find out immediate basic needs and seek to meet them.
  • HE BROUGHT HIM TO AN INN: Someone in crisis doesn’t have all the resources to help themselves, and they often can’t see what’s needed. We can offer perspective on available resources, including ones we can offer as well as connecting them to resources. In a crisis, resources must go beyond information. The Samaritan didn’t just tell the wounded man where to go, he also provided the donkey and took him to the inn. 
  • HE TOOK CARE OF HIM: The “inn” didn’t provide all the wounded man needed, so the Samaritan made sure his continued needs were met. In a crisis, we offer help and hope through our gifts and connections. A crisis can’t be fixed quickly, but our compassionate presence and willingness to offer care and resources can make a world of difference!
  • HE ASKED THE INNKEEPER TO LOOK AFTER HIM: The Samaritan helped ensure the wounded man’s healing would continue and provided the means to do so. This is advocacy—one who supports the cause of another. When situations are complex and people are struggling, they often need an advocate to speak up and minister on their behalf.
  • WHEN I RETURN (I WILL REIMBURSE YOU): When the immediate crisis was over, the Samaritan’s connection and care with the wounded man was not complete. Crisis response includes a commitment to follow up and make sure healing continues, addressing new hurdles when possible.

(I recently preached a sermon titled “The Ministry of Presence” that walked through each of these steps with specific life examples. It can be found here.)

CRISIS RESPONSE RESOURCES

Obviously, crisis response involves much more than this brief article can represent. Yet, guided by these values, a trauma-informed youth ministry can PREPARE to offer help, hope and healing in the midst of a crisis. Preparing for a crisis involves doing the important work of planning, training and resourcing ahead of time. It makes a significant difference to know local crisis resources and systems of support BEFORE a traumatic event. While there is not a single source for crisis response teams across the country, the teams I am part of may give you an idea of how you can begin to look in your community:

WHEN THE CRISIS IMPACTS YOU
If a crisis directly impacts you, it is vital to bring in outside resources. DO NOT try to handle them internally. When the congregations I have served faced crises, we have invited the teams I serve on to support us with a clear distinction: I was not a “team member” for those services. I was being served. As a result I not only received the gift of compassionate care for the hurt my congregation and I were facing, I also experienced the power of healthy crisis response. 

Even when we are not directly impacted by a crisis, entering into crises will have physical and emotional impacts on those offering support. It is called “vicarious trauma.” When offering crisis response, always work as PART OF A TEAM to create systems of support for one another and the expectation that you will need to process your own responses and reactions after you have cared for someone in crisis.

I hope these three articles have been helpful in our changing and challenging world. If I can be of further help for you or your congregation ahead of (or in the midst of) trauma and crisis, please don’t hesitate to reach out (website or email).

JIM

Read Part 1: Become Aware

Read Part 2: Creating Space

Jim Lewis is a youth and family ministry graduate of the Lutheran Bible Institute. He has served full-time in congregational ministry for more than 30 years and is a board certified MasterChristian Life Coach (MCLC) for Resiliency and Soul Care (soulrhythms.org). Jim is also a first responder, emergency service and mental health chaplain. He is a founding member of the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team, on the Advisory Council for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and a board member with Peer Ministry Leadership. Jim’s life mission is to walk with and care for people, especially those hurting or struggling, helping them recognize and receive Love, Strength and Hope in all the rhythms of life.

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