Dr. Jeanne Hoeft, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, recommends resources for pastors responding to natural disasters.

I was thinking about the people in Oklahoma who have been affected by the recent tornado. Pastors and churches are almost always called on to help in times of crisis like these. Below are two resources that I use in my pastoral class on trauma.  These texts are especially relevant in times of natural disasters.  They are written clearly, organized for ease of use and accessibility.  I recommend them for anyone who wants a quick and straightforward guide for understanding the emotional and spiritual needs of persons during such times.

Roberts, Stephen B. and Willard W.C. Ashley, ed. Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Regional and National Tragedy  (Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2008).

Weaver, Andrew, et. al.  Counseling Survivors of Traumatic Events (Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 2003).

You or those you know may find them useful.

Dr. Amy Oden will join Saint Paul at Oklahoma City University as Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality in July. Oden holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University. She comes to Saint Paul from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
 
Dr. Oden's recent publications include "Hospitality as a Living Wesleyan Tradition," in Wesleyan Living Traditions, ed. Mary Elizabeth Moore (Nashville, TN: Kingswood Books, 2013) and God's Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World (Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2008). She was an editorial consultant for Sacred Journeys: Earth's Holiest Places, a National Geographic Special Edition (2010).

Present and former Saint Paul faculty and Saint Paul graduates are authors for the Believe Curriculum published by the youTheology program. This youth ministry resource for Methodist youth and young adults is relevant, engaging, and flexible.

Find a sample lesson and follow the Believe Curriculum blog at  www.believecurriculum.com  

 

youTheology is a program of Saint Paul School of Theology under the leadership of Dr. Claire Smith, Director of youTheology and Youth Ministry Specialist-in-Residence.