This course is based upon two fundamental assumptions about effective leadership and spiritual direction: 1) that the leader’s self is the vehicle through which they lead, and as such it is important to know the needs, strengths, and vulnerabilities of oneself; and 2) effective pastoral leadership and spiritual direction in today’s world require an understanding of trauma.
As leaders and spiritual directors, we need to be aware of the trauma we ourselves may have experienced and what, if any, lingering effects it has on us. We will learn what constitutes trauma, different kinds and levels of trauma, the effects of trauma, and what kinds of responses and interventions in the local church situation and in spiritual direction may be healing.
- Teacher: Lallene Rector