Program
Doctor of Ministry
Number of Pages
200
Year Approved
2025
First Advisor
Carroll, Joshua
Second Reader
Kate Scorgie; John Dunne
Abstract
The goal of this dissertation was to ascertain the need for trauma-informed training in pastoral preparation programs. To achieve this goal, the researcher examined the main components of Jesus’ mission manifesto as detailed by Luke in his gospel narrative. The researcher evaluated the main components of Jesus’ programmatic speech in Nazareth including, but not limited to, the key Isaianic reference Jesus reflects on and the people his mission was geared towards. Subsequently, the researcher conducted a contemporary literature review on trauma. The researcher defined trauma, assessed the impact of trauma and investigated the healing process for victims of trauma. The researcher also briefly discussed pastoral care from a trauma-informed lens. To understand the effectiveness of pastoral preparation programs in training pastors to care well for victims of trauma, the researcher conducted a survey of pastors located in Shakopee, Minnesota. The results confirmed that pastors did not receive adequate training in their pastoral preparation programs as it related to offering trauma-informed care and they lacked confidence in caring well for people oppressed by trauma. The researcher also conducted a content analysis of trauma-training programs affiliated with higher education institutions across the nation. The goal of the researcher was to identity the content different programs deemed necessary to learn in order for a person to offer trauma-informed care. Based on the information gleaned from the theological research, literary review, survey and content analysis, the researcher identified (1) Jesus’ mission was geared towards the suffering and oppressed which includes people impacted by trauma and (2) seven main outcomes pastoral preparation programs need to include in their pastoral preparation programs in order to ensure pastors are able to embody the mission of Jesus and offer healing practices and spaces for people impacted by trauma.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
Document Type
Doctoral thesis
Recommended Citation
Cole, M. (2025). Embodying Jesus' Mission: Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care [Doctoral thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1157
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