Crisis Intervention
Crises are faith-killers. Typical Christian behavior when crisis strikes runs on both sides of anti-faith continuum fromshutting down, checking out, embracing depression, or to the other extreme of taking matters into one's own hands, such as plotting, scheming, planning, devising, or worrying. Pastors are called usually when such efforts have failed and it’s time for clean up.
These are demanding days for pastors but they also serve as the best opportunities for growth and transformation. Crisis becomes a vehicle of Holy Spirit impartation of divine wisdom and understanding for individuals on their journey of working out their own salvation. Oftentimes the desperation which accompanies crisis can have a redemptive effect of transforming defiance into submission, thereby yielding ‘ears to hear’ what the Spirit is saying. |
Dr. Larry Crabb provides two situations when a pastor should refer a member to a professional service provider.
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Resources

The Complete Guide to Crisis and Trauma Counseling: What To Do and Say When It Matters Most
A publication of H. Norman Wright. This book should be on the bookshelf of every pastor. It has tremendous resources to help the pastor provide counsel in crisis situations.
A publication of H. Norman Wright. This book should be on the bookshelf of every pastor. It has tremendous resources to help the pastor provide counsel in crisis situations.

Experiencing Grief
This book, by H. Norman Wright, takes the reader through the five stages of grief: shock, rage, despair, release, and finally, peace.
This book, by H. Norman Wright, takes the reader through the five stages of grief: shock, rage, despair, release, and finally, peace.

Recovering from Losses in Life.
H. Norman Wright provides a powerful journey guide through loss. Readers are shown how to avoid blaming God and avoid falling into chronic despair. He provides the sufferer with language skills on how to express themselves and share their pain with others.
H. Norman Wright provides a powerful journey guide through loss. Readers are shown how to avoid blaming God and avoid falling into chronic despair. He provides the sufferer with language skills on how to express themselves and share their pain with others.

NYDIS Manual for New York City Religious Leaders: Spiritual Care and Mental Health for Disaster Response and Recovery
This is a manual written for New York City religious leaders designed to help ministers deliver pastoral care in times of crisis. Chapter Seven, “The Role of Religious Leaders in Crisis Response: Caring for the Soul,” in particular, is dedicated to giving practical advise on how to administer care during crisis.
This is a manual written for New York City religious leaders designed to help ministers deliver pastoral care in times of crisis. Chapter Seven, “The Role of Religious Leaders in Crisis Response: Caring for the Soul,” in particular, is dedicated to giving practical advise on how to administer care during crisis.

Pastoral Care for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Healing the Shattered Soul
This book, by Dalene Fuller Rogers, gives a definition of PTSD and provides theological dimensions of spiritual trauma, provides specific strategies for the application of pastoral care during the healing process, and provides tips for PTSD prevention.
This book, by Dalene Fuller Rogers, gives a definition of PTSD and provides theological dimensions of spiritual trauma, provides specific strategies for the application of pastoral care during the healing process, and provides tips for PTSD prevention.

Pastoral Care Resource for Adult Leaders Ministering to Youth. Crisis Care Intervention with Teens: Responses, Referrals, and Resources
This is a very helpful reference to help adults ministering to youth who may be depressed or at risk of harming themselves or others.
This is a very helpful reference to help adults ministering to youth who may be depressed or at risk of harming themselves or others.