Pulpit & Pew: A Trauma-Responsive Conversation (Part II)
Part II: Focusing Our Attention
Part II: Focusing Our Attention
This week’s reflection is based on Chapter Four of the secondary text for the course, Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson (see book description below). The title of the chapter is Are You Paying Attention? This week, I have been reminded to focus my attention on those who are doing the work to care for others by applying the principles of trauma-responsive care.
Josh’s Reflection
Attention! Is there a more timely message in our day? Our attention is more precious now than ever. A whole economy is built around “eyeballs.” What are people looking at and clicking on? That question is the foundation of many multibillion-dollar companies! They are all in a war to win our attention. That makes it particularly difficult to manage what we are paying attention to, or, as Dr. Thompson puts it, “paying attention to what we are paying attention to.”
I spend much of my time as a pastor discussing this specific issue. I have been learning to pay attention to my body and what I am paying attention to. The journey is more rigorous than anticipated, but the payoff is fantastic. I am preaching a sermon series leading up to Advent called “Curating Clarity” about this exact thing. I do not consider it a coincidence that I am reading this chapter now!
My Response
“It was remarkable how little I paid attention to my body for a lifetime and how much damage I did to my nervous system by plowing through things when I needed a break. This has certainly changed!”
I also asked: “Curating clarity! Do you stream your sermons?” (Yes he does, www.youtube.com/@fremontcommunity)
A Rabbit Trail
I couldn’t find the sermon that was part of this discussion but was instantly intrigued by the new February series: A Church Like Cheers. One thing I love about Josh is his humanness which is on full display in this sermon. Emotions, humor, humility, and humanness. It is all there. What I also appreciate is how well he integrates the principles of trauma-responsive communities. Communities where everyone knows your name matters. In fact, as Josh says, “Everyone wants to go to a place where they feel known” and, “We all have a deep desire to be welcomed and belong.”
As discussed often in Trauma in the Pews, belonging is a foundational human need. Sometimes we give up who we are so we can belong. Josh makes it clear in this sermon that he desires for everyone to show up as they are, for others to accept them as they are, and that it begins with knowing their name. Name Tags!
An aside to Josh: LOL, name tags! My aversion to name tags is not that I don’t want anyone to know my name—it is that so few can pronounce it correctly when they see it in print. They can know my name as “Janine” and still read “Janyne” as “Jane” or “Jaynie” or some other variation. I would agree to put a name tag on because you would not only want people to know my name, but to know me and when that happens people do understand how to pronounce it.
Back to Curt Thompson and Attention
Josh quotes Curt Thompson at the end of the sermon: “Every action we humans take is part of the deeper attempt to connect with other humans even when it terrifies us.”
It is worth listening to the end of the sermon. In our interactions with one another, what grabs our attention? Josh makes an important point about this. Often the rejection of connection is in and of itself because of the need to belong. It is safer to reject attempts to connect than to risk being betrayed. That doesn’t mean, the need to belong is not there. How often after a tragic event when someone harms others do we hear that the person was “a loner.” No one actually wants to be a loner; they want to be known and not judged.
He quotes, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
And then asks, “Are we paying attention [to what Jesus said]?”
The first principle of a trauma-responsive framework for churches asks us to pay attention to people in ways that foster relationships. Thanks for demonstrating this Josh!
Principle #1: trauma-responsive ministry places relationships first
Principle #2: trauma-responsive ministry unconditionally receives stories
Principle #3: trauma-responsive ministry teaches about trauma
Principle #4: trauma-responsive ministry honors healing
Principle #5: trauma-responsive ministry is compassion driven
Suggested Reading
Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson explores the connection between neuroscience and spiritual growth, emphasizing how understanding the brain can deepen one's relationship with God and others. Thompson, a psychiatrist, integrates insights from interpersonal neurobiology with Christian faith, showing how experiences, relationships, and even past wounds shape the mind and soul. He encourages readers to engage in self-reflection, storytelling, and community to rewire neural pathways, promoting healing, emotional resilience, and a more intimate connection with God. The book offers practical guidance for transforming one's inner life through both scientific and spiritual practices. (ChatGPT summary)
Josh’s Bio
The Rev. Josh Hawkins is a native of Indiana and grew up in the First Assembly of God Church in Fort Wayne, serving in many roles until he began working as the discipleship and spiritual life pastor in 2010. Since 2016 Josh has been pastor of the Fremont Community Church in Fremont, IN. Josh and his wife, Rachel have four children between the ages of 22 and 13.